Our second Book of the Week this week is the perfect compilation for parents who really want to introduce some of the most amazing classic pieces of children's fiction into their children's reading pile in a really cool and beautifully presented way.

"Favourite Stories of Courageous Girls" introduces some of the gutsiest, most resourceful and most intelligent young heroines ever to grace the pages of classic fiction. Put together as an anthology featuring short bios for the characters themselves, before providing scintillating excerpts from the books in question, it's an absolute work of genius.

From Jo March who sells her hair to raise money for her family, to George's single-minded commitment to protecting her island in The Famous Five to Bobbie's quick-thinking action that prevents a train crash in The Railway Children, these girls demonstrate courage beyond their years.

Our Poetry Book of the Week this week is a fantastic way to celebrate National Poetry day. A superb anthology of contemporary and classic poems...

Today, Charlotte (and Mummy) take over the reins for a review of a very special book in aid of Children in Need. So take it away, Charlotte (with a bit of help from Mummy!)

From a very early age, poetry has been a way to engage Charlotte with reading and we're lucky enough to find that poetry collections for tinies are now far more commonplace than they were when I was a wee whippersnapper. With colourful illustrations, and picking the choicest poems both old and new "A Children's Treasury of Poems" collected and illustrated by Linda Bleck, is the perfect example of a neat little collection to gently introduce children to a love of rhyme and fun with words.

Each poem here is nicely short enough that you can read one or two before bedtime, or (like us) gobble up the whole book in one delicious sitting. Old favourites such as "The Owl and the Pussycat" are included and we love to see any collection that features the works of Edward Lear. Contemporary poets are included too, and Linda's illustrations are fantastic and fitting in each case.

Treat yourself to some wonderful rhymes with your littlest ones with this gorgeous collection!

Charlotte's best bit: A wonderful double-page version of "The Owl and the Pussycat" with gorgeous illustrations

Daddy's Favourite bit: I always love a bit of Edward Lear limerick nonsense!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Sterling Publishing)

Usborne's "Spy Handbook" was essential reading when I was a wee whippersnapper dreaming of being James Bond. We recently re-read the updated and reprinted version, and it's still an absolute classic, full of awesome detail and packed with facts.

"The Usborne Official Detective Handbook" sets out its stall in a similar way to the Spy Handbook, in a handy pocket-sized format so that amateur detectives can flick through it while out on important cases.

It's a little-known fact that Charlotte quite fancies herself as a detective, and loves children's detective stories like The Famous Five and Hermelin - The Detective Mouse. The genre is seeing something of a resurgence so having a more fact-based handbook like this is a real boon.

Each section encourages would-be gumshoes to delve into the sometimes dark and often quite seedy world of detecting. Honing your observation skills, and encouraging kids to scope out a scene and pick points of interest, it's really smartly produced and illustrated (we expect nothing less from Usborne).

It's also one of those books that has Charlotte running up to me every five minutes to point out something new and cool.

Utterly essential stuff for your own little sleuths!

Charlotte's best bit: Reading body language and how nefarious types will change their hair or beards to disguise their appearance

Daddy's Favourite bit: I really really wish I'd had this as well as the spy book as a kid. Utterly fantastic stuff from Usborne!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Usborne Books)

This festive collection of awesome animal stories demands to be read while cuddled up under a snuggly blanket with a cup of hot chocolate (and, Charlotte says, at least 6 marshmallows). Gathering together some of the best writing talent in the business (like Holly Webb, Penny Dolan and Michael Broad) to spin tales of young animals and their first experiences in the coldest parts of the world certainly suits this time of year beautifully.

We learn how a young husky pup dreams of pulling his first sled, and how a snow goose learns how to fly in formation. Even how a young narwhal uses his fantastic spiral tusk to catch a star.

Each child (and adult of course!) will find their favourite story amongst these and they're just the right length to fit into a bit of bedtime reading before your youngsters snuggle under the duvet.

Charlotte's best bit: The Arctic Fox (who was afraid of the dark, awww!)

Daddy's favourite bit: The husky tale, and the general atmosphere of each story. Really beautifully told.

(kindly supplied to us for review by Little Tiger Press)