You may not yet know who Victoria Prismal is, but I guarantee that you're going to love her. Some of you canny app-folk may have already spotted her in the fabulous iPad version of "Walking your Octopus" (which we raved about a little while ago) If so, you'll also know that she has a rather special pet, Otto (the octopus). Splicing together steampunkery with a goodly dose of fabulous Victorian costume, Brian Kesinger's "Walking your Octopus" was always set to wow us in book form but, phew, what a book. Set out as a super-wide sumptuously presented and etched hardback it's the sort of book that makes you want to cuddle it. We're always slightly in awe of books that look as good as this, simply because your first reaction to them is to want to wrap them back up in plastic and store them away somewhere so that they don't get grubby or damaged. Truth is though, that's not what books are for is it, so we dove straight in.

"Walking your Octopus" presents a handy reference guide for would-be Cephalopod owners. Detailing in exquisite illustrated detail how best to look after your Octopus, what they eat, how to train them and - er - how to clean up those messy ink stains when they get a little over-excited, Victoria and Otto are the most charming hosts.

We cackle with laughter as Otto sees off Victoria's would-be suitors (warning - When you see an Octopus turn red, it's NOT because it's embarrassed!) or play happily together on a swing made from one of Otto's elastic limbs.

I admitted last time we looked at this in app form that I had a huge crush on Victoria (and yes, once again we probably should point out that she has a heck of a range of quite stunning outfits, some of which are rather saucy). Otto is rather lovely too of course, and it's amazing how Kesinger bestows him with a myriad expressions as we learn a little more about him throughout the book.

"Walking your Octopus" by Brian Kesinger. Octo-lovely!

There are some great Cthulhu-esque nods here, in fact it's pretty much perfect. Entertaining and funny text accompaniment to the sort of illustrations you'd give your eye-teeth to be able to reproduce if you're in any way artistic, "Walking your Octopus" is a real keeper and one to truly treasure.

Charlotte's best bit: Otto is very handy (or should that be tentacle-ey) at bathtimes!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Just loved the bit where Otto is seeing off those rotten suitors. Squeeze 'em good, boy!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Baby Tattoo)

For happy healthy cephalopods, you really need this in your life!

I'll gladly admit to being more than slightly obsessed with steampunk (blame Alan Moore and Bryan Talbot for their exemplary work on "Nemesis the Warlock" for kicking off my obsession). So when we spied this rather tasty looking e-book on another website, we thought we'd investigate. Luckily for us, the rather smashing Eric Daniels got in touch with us and with a secret masonic handshake or two, we've been taking a closer look at this utterly beautiful electronic tome.

Forgive my flowery language. Half an hour with this app and you'll feel the necessity to slip into a faux BBC Radio Announcer / Victorian Music-Hall drawl. The superb narration in the app really does rub off on you!

"Walking your Octopus" tells you, in a beautifully illustrated steampunk style, how to keep your pet in tip top condition. After all, looking after an octopus shouldn't be taken lightly - they're not just for Christmas, you know!

With deliciously slick swipe controls and Aerfish's rather lovely presentation (including the patented "AereoScope" panel transition that makes the app really come alive), you're guided through all the great advice you need.

Brian Kesinger, an award winning Disney concept artist (Along with Eric who was the guy responsible for making sure Rapunzel's amazing hair was kept in good order on the film "Tangled") has drawn some truly beautiful illustrations (and he's made me fall completely and hopelessly in love with Victoria Prismall, the book's rather gorgeous Steampunk Octo-Mistress!)

Helen Sadler provides pitch perfect narration and there's a fitting musical piano accompaniment in the app to keep things tinkling along.

Here's a thing though - I don't really think there's anything in here that's too saucy for children (admittedly, Victoria has a rather risque line in clothing and can be seen languishing in the bath in one of the illustrations) but Apple have (perhaps, echoing victorian values) slapped a 12 rating on this for "mild nudity and suggestive themes". So before you zoom off showing this to your children you might want to cast eyes over it first (as I said, I don't think it's got anything they probably wouldn't have seen in your average Bratz cartoon).

This is the sort of e-book that gives us a huge amount of ammo to fire at the argument that e-books and print books can't live alongside each other and reach a happy detente (in fact there is a print version of this book, we're happy to report, and we will most definitely be picking it up as soon as it's released in the UK - lucky Stateside folk may already have it). Slick, intuitive, a real joy to look at and read again and again, "Walking your Octopus" is beautiful, smart and steampunky stuff and we really hope this isn't the last we see of Victoria. She's wonderful!

Walking your Octopus on iPhone

Walking your Octopus on iPad