We're tucking into a bumper selection of superb Christmas-themed books, courtesy of Hodder / Hachette.

There's definitely something for everyone in our bumper sack of goodies, young and old so let's start off with a favourite character making a seasonal return.

Dave (the slightly grumpy but hilarious cat) is back in "Dave's Christmas Cracker" by Sue Hendra and Lee Wildish.

Amazingly, Dave's usual dour demeanour disappears around December because Dave really truly loves Christmas. He loves tinsel, decorations but most of all Dave loves all the wonderful christmas fare on offer - particularly brussels sprouts! And we all know what lots of sprouts makes, don't we kids?

"Dave's Christmas Cracker" by Sue Hendra and Lee Wildish is out now, published by Hodder Children's Books. 

Next, a rather audacious and ambitious scheme...

Two kids come up with a cunning plan in "How To Catch Santa" by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish (who seems to be a very busy fella illustrating quite a few awesome christmas books this year!)

Wait until Christmas eve, that's the most opportune time to lay a trap to catch old St Nick. Scatter carrots on your windowsill to lure in Rudolph. Maybe fill a letter with glitter, so you can follow Santa's trail once he's read it.

Something tells us though that Santa is more elusive than you might think, so perhaps the best bet is to tuck in early on Christmas Eve with a story, and see if you can hear the distant tinkle of sleighbells, or perhaps even a muffled "Ho Ho Ho!"

"How To Catch Santa" by Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish is out now, published by Hodder Children's Books. 

A dog is definitely not for christmas, but for life - and in a fantastic new adventure for Charlie and Lola, we can't wait to meet "A Dog With Nice Ears" by Lauren Child.

Lola would really, really, truly honestly love a pet dog - and she's never short of imaginary pets to fill the aching void of not having her own pet.

But as big brother Charlie patiently explains, dogs take a lot of work, a lot of walking and lots and lots of looking after.

Perhaps it might be a good idea to try something smaller?

"A Small Dog!" says Lola "But with nice ears, of course!"

This is another whimsical and fun book for tiny teenies, and though C is a bit old for the Charlie and Lola books now, she still absolutely adores them (mostly because Lauren's storytelling and art never disappoints).

"A Dog With Nice Ears (Charlie and Lola)" by Lauren Child is out now, published by Hodder Children's Books. 

Switching gears for a fabulous middle grade book that's destined to become one of the most celebrated books of the year...

"There May Be a Castle" by Piers Torday is one of those books that's just SO GOOD that you'll wish you'd written it yourself.

On a frozen Christmas Eve, Mouse Mallory and his family set off across a snow-white valley to visit his grandparents.

They never arrive.

As the wheels skid off the icy road, Mouse is thrown from the car. When he wakes, he finds himself in a magical landscape, with only a talkative sheep and a very bossy horse for company.

And they tell him: this is your story now.

So begins Mouse's extraordinary quest through a world of wonder. A world of monsters, minstrels, dangerous knights and mysterious wizards; a world of terrifying danger but also more excitement than Mouse has ever known.

All to find a castle, somewhere, beyond.

But why is Mouse looking for a castle? As thoughts of his family back at the car begin to surface, Mouse realises this might be the most important journey he will ever make ...

This is a novel about love and death. It's about the power of stories to change the way we view the world - and it's about the power of a child to change their own world. Emotionally arresting but ultimately uplifting, this is a remarkable novel for our time. 

Frankie's Magic Football - Frankie Saves Christmas (Frank Lampard / Mick Jackson / L & B Kids)

"The Rescue Princesses - The Ice Diamond" by Paula Harrison (Nosy Crow)

A Treasury of Animal Stories by Holly Webb (Stripes Publishing)

A new 5 book arc continues for Frankie's Magic Football with "Frankie and the Dragon's Curse", released today.

Frankie and his football crew decide to take on some martial arts training to help improve their ball skills. Whisked away by a mysterious chinese puppet, Frankie and friends soon find themselves with more than just a football match at stake, as an evil warlord threatens to destroy the Great Wall of China with his army of terracotta animals. Can Frankie and his footballing chums save the day?

Frank Lampard's "Frankie" books are best sellers, encouraging reluctant readers to engage with a hero who is interested in the same things they are. Fast paced and full of variety, catch up with Frankie's latest adventure today.

Book 8 will be arriving later in the year, with a special festive theme! Watch out for it!


(Kindly sent to us for review by L & B Kids)

He's a major superstar, he blitzed Britain's Got Talent with his owner Ashleigh, he loves sausages and he's about to muscle in on Lassie by starring in his own movie?

Who on earth are we talking about? Why, Pudsey of course, the Border Bichon Frise cross who has already graced our TVs, and is about to hit the silver screen for the first time.

We were fortunate enough to take a look at Pudsey's new book that's releasing along with the movie, a novelisation of Pudsey's first big screen adventure that sees Pudsey moving to the country and using all his skills to cope with country life. Fighting off unscrupulous land developers, and scoffing as many venison sausages as he can snaffle along the way, it's going to win over any fans of this talented pooch.

"Pudsey the Dog: The Movie" book is out in paperback, from L & B on June 5th 2014. Reserve your copy now!

It's 2014 and World Cup anticipation will reach fever pitch. Naturally the world's football heroes are getting quite excited about the tournament, particularly Frankie in his latest adventure "Frankie's Magic Football: Frankie and the World Cup Carnival".

After some spirited high-jinks, Frankie ends up slicing the perfect kick - straight into the family's television set after Frankie's rotten brother taunts him during a garden kickabout. Calamity! But before he can try and undo the damage, Frankie and his team are whisked off to Brazil to find three magical items that could help England win the world cup.

Trudging through squidgy swamps, and facing off against an uber-talented team of brazilian street soccer experts and a toothy referee with a serious overbite, it could be Frankie's toughest challenge yet.

"Frankie's Magic Football: Frankie and the World Cup Carnival" arrives on May 1st 2014.

(Kindly sent to us for review by L & B Kids)

We're back once again with that footballing boy superstar Frankie and his magic football. You may remember we reviewed the first title in the "Frankie's Magic Football" series. Charlotte actually enjoyed the book more than I thought she would (she knows as much about football as I do, ie zero, yet it didn't hamper her enjoyment too much).

This time Frankie and his plucky team are drawn by the magical referee against a crew of dastardly cowboys who, like Frankie's previous foes, will stop at nothing to win the game.

Can good sportsmanship win out over dirty rotten rootin' tootin' tricks? We won't spoil the story too much for you but there's a perilous penalty shoot out that will challenge Frankie, Charlie and Louise to their footballing limits.

It's rare to find a chapter book that can be polished off in the space of an evening with a bit of tempered and diligent reading. As we previously said in our review of "Frankie #1" the books are easily read and digestible, absolutely perfect for reluctant readers who love 'the beautiful game'.

"Frankie's Magic Football - Frankie vs the Cowboy's Crew" is released on 10th October 2013.

Charlotte's best bit: Ooch! Tearing your nice home kit on a character with spines? Not pleasant!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Easy to read, but the cookie-cutter plots could get tiresome after 3 books, things need a bit of mixing up methinks

(Kindly sent to us for review by L & B Kids UK)