Nestled in just before the boring news came on, "The Clangers" was required viewing when I was a teeny tiny. Now they're back, all new and shiny but still retaining their timeless charm.

What a strange character is Engelber Sneem! A talent, a dancing prancing inventor but with a dark secret - He covets your dreams and mine!

Daniel Postgate's crazy creative character is the star of this dark tale of the invention of a strange machine designed to harvest our innermost thoughts while we sleep. We couldn't wait to see if Engelbert would get away with his terrible plan - which backfires quite spectacularly! Will Engelbert Sneem ever learn his lesson?

It's a fun and original romp for sure!

Charlotte's best bit: The sneaky Engelbert getting his comeuppance in quite spectacular style

Daddy's Favourite bit: We love an odd book that squeals originality from every page and this sure does that!

(Borrowed for review from Abingdon's excellent library)

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The Snagglegrollop by Daniel Postgate and Nick Price

What on EARTH is a Snagglegrollop? You may well ask - and in this fun story from Daniel Postgate and Nick Price, you'll find out. Snagglegrollops, you see, are highly prized as pets so when Sam, a young boy, isn't allowed to have a dog or a cat, he innocently asks whether his doting parents might find houseroom for a Snagglegrollop instead.

They're genuinely surprised when the boy bring one home. It's a rather natty creature with great table manners and none of the usual dog-and-cat aversions to keeping clean.

In fact there's really only one thing better than a Snagglegrollop - as Charlotte found out part-way through the book. Enter the Quibblesnuff, a sassy and rouged-lipped gorgeous creation belonging to Sam's friend Emily.

"She's so beautiful!" - Charlotte, aged 6

You can find out what happens when a Snagglegrollop and a Quibblesnuff meet once you read the story yourself. Fabulous fun splicing together a story dealing with childhood requests for pets or their imaginary friends. Loved Nick's illustrations too, so beautiful and full of cool little snaggle-details!

Charlotte's best bit: The Quibblesnuff

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