Our Second Picture Book of the Week is from a talented author-illustrator whose work is always utterly fabulous.

We always love the totally surreal set-ups in Beatrice Alemagna's books, beautifully illustrated and totally involving for kids who don't just want the same old ordinary everyday world to be reflected in their stories.

In "Harold Snipperpot's Best Disaster Ever" meet the hapless young chap who is determined that his birthday this year won't just be the same boring non-event it is every other year.

After all, seven years old is a pretty important age to reach - well, when you're seven anyway!

"Different is cool" is an oft-used and effective message to weave into a children's story...

Our Picture Book of the Week this week sees one of our favourite children's author-illustrators make this whole picture book business look so effortlessly easy...

We're very lucky to have a guest on the blog today to celebrate the launch of her new book. Beatrice Alemagna has come up with an exciting and truly gorgeous tale of a young girl's quest to find something extra special (and extra squishy) for her mum's birthday present. So without further ado, here's Beatrice Alemagna!

5 strange folk, each completely different but all with one thing in common - they don't think they're any good at anything. Let's find out more about "The 5 Misfits"...

"What IS Boubou?" Charlotte asked when we first started reading through this book. We discussed at length what we thought this funny little (sorry BIG) creature was. He has a pig's nose but he's not pink. He looks a little bit like a hedgehog but has no spines. We settled on him being a little monster though he is anything but monstrous in behaviour.

Beatrice Alemagna's perfect observations of toddler behaviour form the foundations of an entertaining and easy story of a little creature growing up. We take a sneaky peek at Boubou's daily routine, what he likes to do when playing or when in school. We came to the conclusion that Boubou was a boy, because (as Charlotte wisely put it) "Boys care about being big and strong and growing up, girls don't!" (I found this infinitely amusing, do you think she's right?)

Beatrice's artwork is quite unique, with some very clever collage compositions perfectly picking up on Boubou's expressions and behaviour (and of the other peripheral characters in the story).

A bold and colourful book again underlining Tate's commitment to publishing children's books that feel fresh and original.

Charlotte's best bit: Charley's visit to the dentist. Rinse please!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Brilliant fun for tiddlers, beautifully illustrated and told

(Kindly sent to us for review by Tate Publishing)