Numbers by Paul Thurlby (Hodder Children's Books)

Though Charlotte is a little 'old' for counting and number books, we still see quite a few that we can't resist thumbing through (counting as we go). Graphic design genius Paul Thurlby is the sort of name you wouldn't normally expect to be attached to a book of this ilk, but bringing his extensive and artistic talent to bear on something that children can enjoy - and adults can admire as a piece of artwork in its own right - is very much a stroke of genius.

It's worth diving onto Paul's website to see his extensive portfolio of amazing work but let's not get distracted, back to the book in hand.

Counting up from zero, Paul produces meaningful images to provide a perfect visual prompt for numbers as children leaf through and learn. Counting up from ten to twenty, thirty and so on, it's fun to find Paul's humour and imagination injected into each image.

This is the Rolls Royce of counting books, really the only negative thing we'd have to say about it is that you might wince every time your child reaches for it, hoping that they'll take very great care of such a gorgeous and luxuriously produced book.

Charlotte's best number: Number 30 (possibly because it involves cake!)

Daddy's Favourite number: The Fab Number Four

(Kindly sent to us for review by Hodder Children's Books)