Building anticipation and excitement in children's books is no mean feat, particularly if your child is a little fidget-bottom and needs to be engaged and immersed in a book to really reap the benefit of being read to. Charlotte loves books that start off with a dark twist or two to draw her in, and in "Keep Out, Bears About" you find out what it must've felt like to be a young wayward Goldilocks, out for a walk in the woods, stumbling across mysterious signs warning of...BEARS!

We like the way the story warns you, pleads with you to take care and caution before proceeding. We also like the way that Peter Utton works in spooky details into his illustrations, to build a little harmless menace and darkness (check out that bridge! Eeeks!)

For Charlotte, lift-the-flap books are still huge fun, and in this book you'll need to explore and investigate just what's hidden in every page before encountering those bears! Are they furry? Are they friendly? Would you be if someone broke into your house, ate your food, smashed your furniture and trashed your bed?

Charlotte's best bit: The finale, which does not disappoint! RUN!!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Loving all the little menacing and spooky details that Peter works into his illustrations!

We're huge Anthony Browne fans on the blog, and it's great to discover a book that he's illustrated for another author - and a book we haven't seen before at that.

"Knock Knock, Who's There" is another book that features a dad reading to his child at night - but we'll get to that very important bit in a moment. As a girl lies in bed, there's a gentle knock knock at the door. Who is outside though?

Is it a dragon, rather peckish for something small and cuddly to eat for his tea? Perhaps it's a ghost, scary and spooky clanking chains. Perhaps it's a nasty witch who wants to turn you into a jumping frog.

Panic not, it's actually none of the above - but a rather mischievous daddy who hasn't quite got the hang of "settling children before sleep".

Nonetheless we loved this, it's got that trademark Anthony Browne spooky surreal touch to it, with Sally's fun and spooky story making it just the right side of tingly and spooky to keep children wondering who's at the door right until the end of the book.

Charlotte's best bit: The ghost! Wooh!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Another great booky dad, though I'm sure this one got a good ticking off from his other half after spooking the poor girl (though a big daddy cuddle helps hugely!)