It seems a bit strange to be reviewing a book that would be so brilliant for Halloween in the midst of a boiling hot summer, but hey, why not, it's a Bob Shea book...

Oh now here's a message that we received loud and clear, a message that we've probably had a few rants about on this very blog. To us, there's nothing more tragic than arriving at a gorgeous countryside retreat, or a fabulous family day out, only to spot "The Thumb Swipe Brigade". While the children are happily making memories, having the time of their lives, spot their parents languishing under a shady tree absolutely wrapped up with their mobile phones. Intensely gazing into the screen as if it holds the very secret of life, the universe and everything while real life carries on around them.

I won't get into an extended rant about it (honest) but this is the crux of Matthew Cordell's brilliant "Hello, Hello". The tale opens with a little girl at the centre of our new and interconnected world. Mum barely mumbles a greeting because she's gazing lovingly at her computer screen. Dad doesn't even look up from his smartphone, and little brother is busy zapping aliens or collecting coins with his portable games console.

It would be easy for the girl to fall into the same trap, the digital lure of glowing entertainment but a gust of wind, and a single leaf blows in through the door and the girl goes outside.

Outside, the fresh air, the amazing scenery, the woodlands and all the creatures who dwell in it (and as the girl's imagination is spurred on, a few more creatures you wouldn't expect to see floating through the air - many of these caused a titter with Charlotte).

The girl's adventurous day continues, but what of her family? How can she lure them away from their screens?

She has an idea, a cunning plan - and it might just work...!

We've really loved the idea of this book from start to finish, and it's a book that might just cause a few parents to realise that they're missing out on huge swathes of their child's life as they sit around updating their Facebook timeline with some meaningless drivel, or (ahem) tweet about their favourite flavour of tea.

Charlotte's best bit: What on earth is a blue whale doing floating gracefully through the air?

Daddy's Favourite bit: A fantastic message solidly delivered with more than a wry grin and a tongue firmly placed betwixt jaw and cheek. Fabulous stuff!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Disney Hyperion Books)

It's not often you get a story that comfortably covers two glorious celebrations - both of which we absolutely love to bits. Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" gets a good solid airing at Halloween but also at Christmas, and this 20th Anniversary Edition of the original story is perfect for reading at bedtime as we get closer and closer to the big day.

If you're one of the handful of people who has no idea who Jack Skellington is, or has no idea what happened when the two holiday seasons of Halloween and Christmas clashed together so spectacularly in Tim's story and the utterly gorgeous movie that it spawned, then treat yourself to the book and the film and tuck into a glorious festive tale.

Jack Skellington is the big cheese in Halloweenland. Each and every year, Jack and his ghoulish crew plan Halloween celebrations and festivities. But Jack is becoming jaded, tired of dreaming up new ways to spook and scare people.

By chance, Jack discovers a magical forest filled with mysterious doors, portals to other holiday words. Drawn to the sparkliest and most colourful door, adorned with a tree and baubles, Jack accidentally falls through and finds himself in Christmas Land.

Caught up with the festive preparations, Jack falls hook line and sinker in love with the idea of becoming Santa for the year, and putting his own dark spin on Christmas! Time for Santa to take a holiday (or rather be kidnapped and put in a big sack by Lock, Shock and Barrel, three of Jack's most fiendish cohorts) and for Jack to take over!

But will Jack's perfect vision of a gruesome Christmas come to pass?

It's quite interesting seeing the original story that spawned the movie. Tim Burton re-drew sections of the tale and this celebratory anniversary edition shows off the rough and scribbly style that was so masterfully transformed into the glorious stop-motion movie that we all know and love. Nevertheless, despite its rough appearance it's a timeless story full of amazing characters - and good old St Nick himself to save the day. We love it!

Charlotte's best bit: Charlotte absolutely loves Jack's ghostly dog Zero, and the bit where Zero and his glowing pumpkin nose takes his place at the head of Jack's skeletal reindeer sled

Daddy's Favourite bit: I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen this movie, I even have a pair of Jack Skellington slippers at home (and several mugs, and goodness knows how many times I've drawn Jack and Sally myself too!) - A hugely appealing story full of dark and gothic charm and this book captures it perfectly!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Disney Editions)

With a crash, a zoom, and the odd "Spla-doosh!" a new superhero enters the children's book arena. Blessed with hirsute powers, meet Super Hair-O! This is the sort of book that has us tucking pillowcases into our neckline, running around the house mock-fighting Ninjas and bending steel girders (alright, Kitchen Roll tubes).

Meet Rocco, who has a lovely thatch from which he derives his super-powers (or so he believes!)

He ran run faster, jump longer on his BMX and perform feats of derring-do, just like the heroes in the comics he idolises. With his band of hairy friends, they're a force to be reckoned with, protecting their local neighbourhood.

But there's a villainous figure lurking in the shadows of a shop with a candy-striped pole outside. The Barber of Doom! Inevitably, Rocco must meet his fate at the hands (or rather the scissors) of this mysterious figure.

Why must he take Rocco's hair (and powers!) Whyyyyy!! Oh cruel world!

We absolutely loved this book to bits, with lots of great comic-like artwork and a fast-paced story thanks to Caldecott winner John Rocco. Charlotte kept asking why one of Rocco's friends kept saying "Dude!" all the time though (took a bit of explaining). Overall though this is a brilliant book for the superhero in your life - particularly if (like Charlotte) they don't exactly relish trips to the hairdressers!

Charlotte's best bit: The weird little "DUDE!" guy who crops up throughout the story

Daddy's Favourite bit: A brilliant homage to comics and superheroes, a book so good that it makes you want to tousle its mane and tweak its tresses. Love it!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Disney Hyperion)

It's William Shakespeare's 450th birthday soon (though we don't want to be the poor soul who puts all those candles on his cake). His best loved work is still as hugely influential as ever, and you can see touches of "Romeo and Juliet" in this touching and funny tale.

Rather than "Romeo, Romeo" you could be saying "Freddie, Freddie" as we meet a young dinosaur who is tiny but gutsy. One day Freddie meets his Juliet, in the form of a dragon called Gingersnap. Poor Gingersnap wishes she could fly like all the other dragons, while Freddie wishes he was a little bigger - just like all his dino-cousins.

The two meet and become firm friends. Both are able to overlook each other's shortcomings, and soon with the aid of Freddie, Gingersnap realises her dream - to soar into the clouds. She won't do it alone though, she'll take Freddie along with her for the ride.

A fabulous little tale for children, describing building confidence and self-esteem with two great little characters destined to become firm favourites. Hark, what light from yonder...cactus breaks!

Charlotte's best bit: Freddie's creative 'flying' which is actually like Buzz Lightyear's "falling with style"

Daddy's Favourite bit: Shades of Romeo and Juliet, a lovely touching tale of friendship and supportiveness

(Kindly sent to us for review by Disney Hyperion)

RAAAAGH! I'M GOING TO EAT YOU!!

Actually I'm not, but what would you do if you were a cute, adorable pink-nosed furry bunny and a raging monster with a huge appetite came running after you with rabbit stew, rabbit canapes and rabbit souffle in mind?

We'd probably have a rabbit-in-the-headlights (har har) moment. In "Don't play with your Food" the bunnies are smarter than that. Buddy (the raging hungry monster) decides to put rabbit at the top of his menu, and encounters the aforementioned adorable (and did we mention cute? Oh we did!) bunnies.

Before he can chow down though, the Bunnies have a better idea. In fact they have several. Before long, Buddy is run ragged and he's far too full, or tired, or absolutely befuddled to even think about scoffing bunnies.

You KNOW we love monster books, you KNOW Charlotte loves bunnies so imagine putting the two together in a book that's an absolute riot of chaos and fun. Bob Shea's fantastic retro-futuristic artwork, crazy comic dialogue and oh so adorable (and did we mention cute? Oh we did already! Sheesh!) bunnies are a fantastic combination. We haven't seen many titles from Disney / Hyperion but we truly loved this, and hope it's just book one in a huge series for Buddy and Bunnies alike. Do not miss!

Charlotte's best bit: Buddy being completely flummoxed when the Bunnies start their own "Stripey Monster Fan Club"

Daddy's Favourite bit: This is brilliant, like a crazed episode of Ren and Stimpy crossed with Monsters Inc. Oh and with the cutest (did we mention cute? ALRIGHT THEY'RE CUTE!) bunnies you'll ever meet in a funny kid's book

(Kindly sent to us for review by Disney / Hyperion)