C couldn't even talk back when we  originally reviewed this book but whenever we'd spot it at the library, she'd enthusiastically point at this, and once it was in her grasp she absolutely wouldn't let it go.

Like many kids who've encountered our super-special Anniversary "Book of the Week" choice this week, she was instantly drawn to the quirky little chap wearing his unintentional poo-hat on the cover of Werner Holzwarth and Wolf Erlbruch's brilliant "The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business"

As Pavilion celebrate the 30th anniversary of this book, I can't quite believe it's been ten years since we fell in love with it, let alone 30 since it first arrived so it was great to revisit the book clad in its new 30th Anniversary cover, and see what a cynical 11 year old thought of it now.

There are so many reasons to love this, the utterly subversive nature of it (and if we've learned one thing over 9 years of book blogging, it's that most kids - even 11 year olds - can't resist a scatologically themed giggly book like this).

On one level it's a classic revenge story, the sort of thing we wish modern children's books had the guts and audacity to deliver more often rather than sickly-sweet missives about friendship and discovering your true self.

The story of Mole innocently waking up one day, emerging from his hole, and ending up wearing a poo on his head  - then making it his mission to discover who was responsible via a hilarious journey of discovery amongst the plops, squirts, squits and bumbles of the animal kingdom - is completely timeless. It's also very funny - and we use the word 'funny' here not in the ironic sense of the usual 'funny' books. It's genuinely funny to see this angry mole blustering his way through a series of further poo-related near-misses as he sets out to achieve his goal and bring the miscreant to justice.

It's deservedly become a true classic in every sense of the word, and I've lost count of the number of folk who we recommended this to, and who eagerly sauntered off to pick up a copy.

Looking at it again, both of us were struck by how brilliantly irreverent and fresh it still feels. Sure, it's easy for children's books to rely on poo and bum gags for giggles, but there's more to this, there's  a (slightly grim) lesson about what animals poos look like, and if you look at the modern children's book market, there are quite a few non-fiction titles that owe more than a nod to this brilliant fictional story.

The illustrations are so good that you can almost smell them (yeek!), the story bounces along with the most satisfying pay-off you can imagine - and though there were a couple of follow ups, nothing quite matches the brilliance of this.

Check out the pavilion website for a ton of brilliant resources around this fab book

Sum this book up in a sentence: a ploppy-squishy but brilliantly well-formed firm stool of a tale that has become a complete classic, just as good now as it was when it was originally released 30 years ago.

Read our original OG review from 2010 here!

We both remember how much fun we have had with Mick Inkpen's fantastic "Kipper" stories as C's reading journey has continued. Looking back on Mick's first successful children's book "The Blue Balloon" it seems almost impossible that this book is 30 years old. It still feels so fresh, simple and brilliant now as it must have back then.

This story is the very first appearance of Kipper the Dog who went on to massive success in many followup titles and even an animated TV series.

This is a fabulous tale celebrating the imagination of a child whose dog finds a soggy blue balloon in the garden.

A soggy balloon? That doesn't sound like the basis for an adventuresome and joyous story but this is no ordinary balloon. This is a magic balloon that takes the boy and his dog on a magical journey of daydreamy imagination and fun.

With Mick's trademark glorious illustrations, this is the sort of book that's going to win over a whole new generation of Kipper fans, as well as pleasing those of us who may have missed this one first time around.

Sum this book up in a sentence: As fresh and brilliant now as it was 30 years ago, a defining moment in Mick Inkpen's successful children's writing and illustrating career and one we're very happy to see back in print.

"The Blue Balloon" by Mick Inkpen is out now, published by Hodder Children's Books (kindly supplied for review). 

Can you believe that the Old Bear stories are 30 years old! We've been in love with the series since Charlotte was a tiny baby and I'm tickled pink that she still loves Old Bear and his friends as much now as she did when she was more interested in gumming books to death rather than reading them.

Jane Hissey's "Old Bear" celebrates in style with a fabulous new 30th Anniversary celebratory story. In fitting style, "Happy Birthday Old Bear" is a whole new adventure for Bear and his friends, including a new toy - a happy and adorable elephant named Elsie (Great name!)

Elsie wants to get something really special for Old Bear's birthday and comes up with the idea of designing and painting a fantastic umbrella to keep Old Bear dry when he's playing in the garden.

Elsie comes up trumps but when a huge gust of wind blows, it takes Elsie and the new umbrella away! Yikes!

It's up to the gallant gang of toys to mount a daring rescue attempt! Will Old Bear and Elsie make the birthday party and dig into that gorgeous birthday cake (and when we say gorgeous we really do mean gorgeous. Jane draws cakes that look good enough to pick off the page and scoff with a cup of earl grey! Perfect!!)

We've had the pleasure of seeing Jane's creations come to life many times as Charlotte has grown up, and each story is full of excitement and wonder that completely draws us in. Jane's trademark super-detailed pencil illustrations are sublime, and her stories are gentle and nostalgic, yet absolutely perfect for little ones who love their toys and perhaps have a favourite cuddly toy of their own.

She effortlessly breathes life into a book universe that, quite rightly, has been loved and revered by so many over the past 30 years so we tip our hats to Jane and of course to Old Bear and hope that there are many, many more stories to come.

Charlotte's favourite "Old Bear" Story: Ruby and the Naughty Cats, a story that STILL gets read regularly (we just can't get enough of those naughty, naughty kitties!)

Daddy's favourite "Old Bear" Story: "Jolly Snow" which is about as perfect a wintry story as it's possible to get. Absolutely adorable!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Scribblers / Jane Hissey)

"Happy Birthday Old Bear"

Written and Illustrated by Jane Hissey

Published by Scribblers

Publication date: 28th September 2016