We have our cheerleading pants on once again for a hugely talented local author whose books we love to bits (and she's absolutely lovely to talk to as well!)

So let's hear it for Nicki Thornton and the third darkly delicious chapter in the adventures of Seth Seppi, this time stopping for tea at "The Cut-Throat Cafe".

This time Seth and his talking cat Nightshade arrive in the magical town of Gramichee to gain an apprenticeship.

But there's a problem. Someone's been attacking magical apprentices! Is Seth safe? Is there hidden danger at the Cut-Throat Cafe! Poor Seth also has exams to contend with too, a fate almost worse than death.

As I type this, we've just received the book, and Little Miss instantly stole off with it.

I can see her light burning in her room way past her actual bed time so I'm pretty sure that's a seal of approval, and once again a sign that she's been completely sucked into Seth's world, and Nicki's sumptuous storytelling.

Do you think she'll let my wife and I fight over it next??

Wishing Nicki and family the very best on her launch day, from all at ReadItDaddy Towers!

"The Cut Throat Cafe" by Nicki Thornton is out today, published by Chicken House Books (kindly supplied for review). 

Here's a book we previously only owned as a story CD (my wife points out that it was originally hers on Story Cassette), but spotted in book form at the excellent Fire Service Book Sale which was held just up the road from us on Saturday. You can read more about the book sale on the excellent Abingdon Blog (the Abingdon Blogger was even lucky enough to get a ride in the massive fire engine crane that was hoisting people up into the big blue yonder for most of the day).

Stories for a Prince collects together tales told by children for the (then) 16 month old Prince William (and illustrated by some superb children's book illustrators including one of our faves, Babette Cole - who illustrated the Nessie story in this book). There's something quite involving and inspirational about the way kids write. Free of the need to nail down their narrative precisely, but with the free-flowing imagination to build deliciously interesting characters, kids could teach adult authors a thing or two and this collection of tales features such a diverse set of stories and interests that even though the book is nearly 20 years old, the tales still work when told to kids of today.

Short bite-sized stories, beautifully illustrated. Books like this should happen a lot more often (if you're reading this, publishers, make it happen!) - It'd be really interesting to see what the differences are between the stories those 80s kids came up with and what the current generation of kids would write in a world dominated by videogames and apps.

Charlotte's best bit: Nessie and Bessie!

Daddy's favourite bit: Naturally, Babette Cole's illustrations for the above story.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars, Book of the Week