With the buzz surrounding children's reading for pleasure vs children's curriculum-based reading, it's quite nice to be able to take another look at Marks and Spencer's excellent range of First Readers books. We added a couple of these to Charlotte's christmas stocking, and she already has quite a few at home too. The reason we like them is because they successfully bridge the gap between reading for pleasure and reading to learn, with stories adults and children are familiar with - often beautifully illustrated by some of the top 'pens for hire' in the industry.

'Jack and the Beanstalk' tells the tale of a young lad and some magic beans. We've all heard the story before, but the First Readers treatment of it is great fun and of course - most importantly - introduces key words, repeated phrases and a good dose of excitement to help children increase their vocabulary while enjoying an exciting story.

'Rumpelstiltskin' is also fairly familiar (I'm always puzzled why Disney haven't 'had a go' at either of these btw!) but recalling the story reminded me what an absolute CAD the Prince was in the story. The poor girl should've ditched him the minute he started demanding more and more gold yet she went ahead and married him in the end (sorry if that's something of a spoiler for you - BTW the ship sinks in 'Titanic' too... :)

These are fantastic books, as are the rest of the range - and priced very attractively too. If you're looking for books that are educational without feeling too shallow or disjointed like some phonics books can, they're nigh-on essential.

Charlotte's best bit: The beautiful Princess in Rumpelstiltskin (who is FAR too good for that rotten old greedy prince!)

Daddy's favourite bit: The perfect example of how story books can add to and enhance a child's learning curve when early reading.

Every child has a favourite teddy or soft toy to cuddle up to. Charlotte is currently juggling about 6 or 7 (main favourite seems to be Minnie Mouse though!) but imagine if you could count on a cuddly fur-covered superhero to leap to your aid every time you felt a bit down and in dire need of a hug.

Step forward Cuddle Bear. He doesn't wear a cape, he doesn't wear his pants outside his tights, but he's a superhero nonetheless, leaping to the aid of his animal friends every time they feel a bit blue. See poor Panda? She's fallen over but Cuddle Bear is there in seconds, giving her a cheer-me-up squeeze. Poor Lion is constantly grumpy but no one knows why until Cuddle Bear leaps in and gives the old grumpus a loving hug, and soon he's as happy as can be.

With great rhyming text from Claire Freedman and lovely (and very cuddly) illustrations from Gavin Scott, this book is guaranteed to be a firm favourite with younger children and was certainly a hit with Charlotte who thought Cuddle Bear looked so cuddly, fluffy and warm.

Charlotte's best bit: When rabbit leaped on Cuddle Bear for a big hug

Daddy's favourite bit: A feel-good cuddlesome book, and a great book to squeeze in before that last cuddle at bedtime.

(Kindly supplied to us for review by the awesome folk at Little Tiger Press)