Little Tiger Press have thoroughly got you covered when it comes to brilliant picture books for your teeny tinies. Our Day 14 Advent Calendar book is "The Magical Snow Garden" by Tracey Corderoy and Jane Chapman...

Before December even arrives, the cry goes up at ReadItDaddy Towers as Charlotte's thoughts turn to making a list, checking it twice, trying to work out whether she's been naughty or nice..."Is It Christmas Yet?"

Who doesn't love cuddles? Well, actually Barry the Monster is getting a little tired of them (Barry is officially THE best name for a monster ever). Every time Barry steps out into the forest, his lovely cuddle-obsessed furry little friends all leap on Barry's soft luxurious fur for snuggles and warmth.

In "No More Cuddles" by Jane Chapman, we see Barry's various attempts to subvert his cute friends. A new cuddle-meister is needed. Porcupine's a bit spiky, skunk is a bit smelly - but Bear might well fit the bill as he has lovely soft velvety fur.

But still the animals flock to Barry, until he loses his balance and topples over into the stinkiest swamp along with all his little pals.

Who would want to cuddle a slime covered monster? Find out in Jane's fabulous cuddly snugglesome story with hoots of laughter guaranteed from your tiniest ones.

Charlotte's best bit: Cooing at being literally smothered in bunnies. This, to Charlotte, would be sheer bliss!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Funny and cute, Barry is a monster with a big heart!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Little Tiger Press)

From the tip top talented team behind "Bear Snores On", there's a new counting book in town. Although fussy madame Charlotte says she's too old for counting books, she loved dipping into this book.

Partly because it's so nicely written (a story-like introduction to counting always works far better than a coldly delivered "one ball, two apples, three donkeys" kind of approach, we find!)

Couple cool counting story fun with Jane Chapman's glorious and cuddly illustrations and you're on to a sure-fire winner for your tiddly toddlers who are just beginning to learn their numbers and count things as they go.


Charlotte's best bit: Wanting to cuddle big old bear!

Daddy's Favourite bit: A cool story-driven counting book full of fun!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Simon and Schuster Children's Books)

We continue our Halloween spookiness with a monster, a Snorklum to be precise. But are Snorklums as scary as other monsters?

We meet the Snorklum - a sort of Alf-looky-likey who stalks the dark forest, on the hunt for animals to scoff. Starting off small with a nice furry (and very tasty) mole which he tucks into his pocket for later, the Snorklum proclaims his scariness to all and sundry. But seriously, can anyone really be scared of this hairy and hungry beast?

Paul Bright and Jane Chapman have subtly woven together a spooky monstery tale that feels like a neat modern parable about bullying. For all the Snorklum's loud roaring claims that he's scary, that he's to be feared - the animals soon realise that if they stick together, and face the Snorklum down as dawn approaches, he's not nearly as scary as he seems. In fact, he's a wee bit...meek and mild perhaps?

A deliciously furry art style, entertaining repetition and text, and some brilliant undertones of an anti-bullying message, "The Not So Scary Snorklum" is a monstrously good read!

Charlotte's best bit: Charlotte thought the Snorklum was actually wonderful and cuddly. Though not sure she'd like to test that theory out

Daddy's Favourite bit: A subtle anti-bullying message wrapped up in a story with a ton of feelgood factor at the end. Marvellous!

We've lost count of the number of books that deal with this subject. A little one, unable to sleep, has a restless night and keeps their mum or dad (or usually both) awake. Seldom few are as snuggly and atmospheric as "The Very Noisy Night" by Diana Hendry and Jane Chapman. This came in a "Little Tiger Press" box set along with 3 other books, but this is the one Charlotte asks for more than any of the others.

Little Mouse can't get to sleep. Noises around the house keep him awake and fire up his overactive imagination. He hears the wind whistling through the trees, a branch tapping the window and an owl hooting - but in the dark he imagines all sorts of things are going on around him.

Big Mouse is trying to get to sleep but Little Mouse's constant interruptions mean that both have a restless night until Big Mouse finally gives in.

It's a fairly standard story but the treatment here is rather special. Diana Hendry tips a knowing wink at parents, while Jane Chapman's delicious little mouse house (with more than a nod to "The Borrowers") is lovely and packed with detail.

If you ever spot the Little Tiger Press box sets, they're excellent value but this book was definitely the standout in the collection.

Charlotte's best bit: Little Mouse fetching his umbrella when he thinks it's raining in the house

Daddy's favourite bit: Little Mouse's cold little feet (yep, identify with that!) and taking up most of the bed (Yep, again can identify with that too!)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Awww, there's always room for a cute and cuddly book like this in anyone's collection. It's a great little collection of animal pictures and of course there's plenty of opportunities to point out just how great daddies are (well we are, aren't we fellahs?) Cute and colourful illustrations back up the fairly simple text. Definitely a great daddy-daughter read. 

Charlotte's best bit: The cuddly lion "not scared!"

Daddy's favourite bit: Cool illustrations by Jane Chapman