Honestly, there's literally nothing better than a brilliant chapter book - and now it's Christmas Eve Eve (or Day 23 on our Booky Advent Calendar, if you like!) let's dip into "The Real Family Christmas" by Sue Mongredien and Kate Pankhurtst.

It's chaos, absolute chaos in the Christmas household. No, I don't mean just any household but Santa's own family household - and here's three stories that see Santa and his missus, kids and relatives going through the sort of manic stuff we all have to put up with as the festive season gets under way.

Nick (a.k.a. Father Christmas) catches the flu just before Christmas day (tsk tsk Santa, didn't you get your Flu Jab?), meaning that it's up to his fun-loving younger brother Harry to save the day in "Uncle Christmas".

You know how much we love monster books, right? You know how much Charlotte always looks for the darkly-tinged bedtime stories (while mummy and I try desperately to steer her away from anything that will give her nightmares)? Well how about a book that, rather cleverly, works in two ways. On the one hand it does feature one mean and nasty monster who keeps invading poor Harry's lovely dreams at night, causing Harry to wake up with a squeak...

Harry and the Monster. Someone ought to give that monster a real telling off!

On the other hand it's actually a tale that should go some way to assuring kids that dreams are harmless, and the biggest scariest monster that pops into your imagination and runs gleefully around causing havoc and chaos is actually quite scared of something too.

Like all great children's picture books, there's a twist in this tale and Sue keeps us hanging on till quite near the end when the twist is revealed. Alongside Nick's fabulous art (with lots of truly gorgeous detail and such a meany monster!) this is an immensely satisfying book that ticked our 'monster book' boxes good and proper (and don't forget to look elsewhere on the blog today as we feature a mini interview with Sue and Nick, and our all time top-ten monster book recommendations!)

The evolution of a monster! Nick East's fantastic character drawings for "The Monster"

"Harry and the Monster" is available from Little Tiger Press. Please do join in with their "Reading Rocks" Campaign for the summer and keep kids reading (and loving doing so, of course!)

Charlotte's best bit: So what is it that a monster is scared of? Charlotte LOVED the twist reveal. So awesome!

Daddy's Favourite bit: We do love a good monster yarn and we particularly do love a meany monster (as long as they see the error of their ways!). A corking good read!

(Kindly sent to us for review as part of the awesome "Reading Rocks!" summer campaign by Little Tiger Press)

Everyone knows someone like Dudley! He's a natural-born performer but doesn't let anyone forget it, and when Dudley constantly thinks up new and exciting ways to impress his best friend Bonzo, he's as happy as can be.

But what happens one day when Dudley is no longer the focus of attention?

This rather delightful and energetic book sees Dudley learning a valuable lesson or two about friendship and about sharing the limelight as he realises that being the star of the show, and thinking you can do anything better than anyone else aren't always the most desirable qualities in a young pup.

Dudley's effervescence is catching, and his spectacular skills are indeed impressive, but if we're really honest we rather liked Bonzo who quietly and subtly shows Dudley how it's done!

Sue Mongredien's books are always full of fun and Caroline Pedler's bold and colourful (and very doggy!) illustrations are utterly brilliant. Children love Dudley's derring-do antics so watch out for 'Super-Duper Dudley!' when it's released on 7th January 2013

Charlotte's best bit: All the animals covering their ears and Bonzo being cuddly and cute!

Daddy's favourite bit: A great little moral tale full of vitality and energy. Dudley's a superstar!

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