We always love a surprise in our picture books, and the surprise in "When I was a Child" by Andy Stanton and David Litchfield stems from our expectation that Andy is great at putting together rib-tickling stuff like "Mr Gum" and who could forget "All aboard the Poo Bus".

But who knew he could also tweak at our heartstrings with a truly fabulous celebration of Grandmother / grand-daughter relationships that reminded us of C's own bond with her own grandmums.

This heartwarming story is told from the grandma's perspective as she tells her granddaughter stories about what life was like when she was little.

With utterly glorious illustrations by that uber-talented fella David Litchfield, this one's perfect for grandparents who love nothing better than curling up on the sofa with their grand-kids or great-grandkids to reminisce about their childhood, or just to tell a few tall stories.

Sum this book up in a sentence: Heartwarming and beautiful storytelling complimented by truly gorgeous illustrations, this one has "Win" written all over it!

"When I was a Child" by Andy Stanton and David Litchfield is out now, published by Hodder Children's Books. 

Such a happy gleeful little band of creatures gather together for a day trip with a difference...

Do stop by and listen to our song of woe. We're here in the dark, and my typing is slow. It's cold dark and wet, and difficult to see. For we find ourselves trapped inside Danny McGee...!

I begged. I pleaded. I frantically scrabbled around for alternative books to add to our library pile, but it was no use. Charlotte spotted "Here Comes the Poo Bus!" by Andy (Mr Gum) Stanton and Noelle Davies-Brock and that was pretty much that. I mean the title alone would be a pretty good indication that this isn't going to be one of those cuddly books to snuggle down with before bedtime. Nope, it's about a bus. Made of poo.

It's hilarious though, and though I constantly make mention of the fact that we really don't go out of our way to grab books about poo, there seems to be a huge market for them. The more revolting, the better and there's none more revolting than this rhyming story of Uncle Toad, the driver of the titular plop-covered transport, who picks up bug passengers on his way to the coast (yes, the analogy of a poo heading off to the coast really wasn't lost on us...!)

Uncle Toad is far from the benevolent old stinkard he's portrayed though, and by the end of this book you'll begin to realise that what Uncle Toad has in mind is altogether far more gross than just taking insects out for a ride in his buttock-born bus.

Charlotte does a really great line in gurgling cackles that would warm the cockles of Andy and Noelle's hearts if they heard her. Suffice to say that I didn't really feel much like lunch after this one, but Charlotte consumed it with glee.

Charlotte's best bit: Benign old Uncle Toad revealing his true colours once they arrive at the seaside. GULP!

Daddy's Favourite bit: C'mon, if you don't investigate this book purely on the title alone, at least give it a try for the sheer bare-faced cheek you can imagine it must've taken to pitch this one to a publisher. "It's about a bus. Made of poo!"