David Lucas has a gift for tapping into fairy stories that feel like they've been with us for generations. In "Cake Girl" a wicked witch celebrates yet another birthday on her own. Frustrated and sad, she decides to create a life-sized cake girl to keep her company for the day, with the plan to scoff the poor baked lass once the day is over.

The witch constructs a sweet-toothed companion who is beautiful and wise, to dance for her and entertain her. But poor Cake Girl is scared of the witch and definitely doesn't like the sound of the witch's plans for her later on. Eek!

Lucas weaves a wonderful tale of friendship, and how even the most black-hearted soul can be won over by a fair (cakey) maiden and her plaintive cries for mercy. The witch befriends Cake Girl, promises not to eat her, and the two embark on adventures together as the witch discovers that it's much more fun to share fun and laughter with your companions than...well...eating them.

Beautifully drawn, dreamlike and fabulously original, Cake Girl wins the great ReadItDaddy Bake-Off every time.

Charlotte's best bit: Beautiful Cake Girl's newfound ability to change into anything she wants

Daddy's Favourite bit: A wonderful fairy tale that's beautifully simple, and simply beautiful

We're always interested in diverse and inclusive books, there's a vibrancy to titles that publishers like Tamarind have in their catalogue that makes stories and characters come alive. "Big Eyes, Scary Voice" was so eye-catching that we couldn't resist it when we came across it in our local library. The brother and sister who are the main characters in this book (along with their mum) enjoy a fabulous trip to the sort of park we truly wish was in our locale. Pacific Park is gorgeous but the children soon discover that there's something strange in the neighbourhood. They hear a sound, "Hoo Hoo" and they set out to find out the source of the odd noise.

Both brother and sister bravely venture deep into the woodland in the park, with mum not too far behind.

We're going to leave you to discover what the children find at the end of their journey, the story is gentle but with each turn of the page, we get closer to finding out who is "hoo hoo-ing".

Visually, this book is rich and colourful - the perfect book for younger children to get lost in.

Charlotte's best bit: Loving the fountain in the park.

Daddy's Favourite bit: A fabulous book full of vibrancy and colour. Great stuff.

Our first book of the week of 2014 is a book we've been meaning to get around to for a very long time. Shaun Tan's "The Arrival" is a book that so many people have praised and recommended to us that we couldn't ignore the clamour of positive voices any longer. Naturally everyone was right, this is by far one of the most amazing children's books ever produced and one that cements Tan into place as one of our favourite children's author-illustrators.

But is it even fair to label this as a children's book? Certainly it's not an easy subject to tackle and it's an extremely difficult book to 'read' to a child for several reasons.

Firstly, it's wordless. Secondly, it deals with a fairly grown up subject (or an entire set of subjects actually, it's that granular) and thirdly it's quite long and involving so definitely not a quick bedtime read by any measure.

But it's an astonishing piece of work. Breaking slightly away from his usual style, Tan claimed he felt uncomfortable illustrating "The Arrival" with its semi-photographic style, and the use of live models throughout to ensure that the human characters are absolutely spot on (and they are).

"So the giants are killing every one with the fiery hoovers on their backs? That's horrible!"- Charlotte

A man leaves his wife and child, and his home country behind as dark dragon-like shadows stalk through their city. Wrenched from his family, the man embarks on a long and difficult journey to a new land where nothing is quite as it seems, where the familiar and unfamiliar rub shoulders and the language barrier is just one of a number of obstacles set to make the man's new life as tough as possible.

The new world is vibrant, surreal and full of wonder. As the man struggles through immigration (chilling scenes here that echo what most refugees have to put up with at border controls) and adjusts to the customs of his newfound home, he thinks of his family and what he must do to earn enough to get back to them.

Kindly (and not so kindly) strangers are met, and in one particularly harrowing set of pages, another refugee tells his own story.

Pause for a moment. If you've ever seen movies like "War of the Worlds" where the alien killing machines make that sort of horrific half air-raid siren / half fog-horn noise, that's the noise you'll have in your head as the stranger recounts the tale of the giants who destroyed his land (and in such a horrific way too. This bit was probably a bit too disturbing for Charlotte and in subsequent readings we've hurried past it briskly but right there is one of the darkest scenes in any graphic novel let alone children's book).

The richness, the cleverness of Tan's visual mind spills onto every page. If anything, it's almost too detailed - you can get lost in the pages of "The Arrival" for hours as you pore over every tiny little stroke rendered with such attention and care.

"I would like a pet like that!" - Charlotte

"The Arrival" is worthy of all the praise we can heap on it and more, and others who have recently experienced it will probably feel the need to do as we did when we first read Shaun Tan's books, hunt down the rest and read them all.

Wordless picture books allow us to interpret their granularity in our own way. For me, obvious allegorical comparisons to the plight of the Jews in Nazi Germany as World War II broke out are unavoidable. For Charlotte, the beginning of understanding what it must be like to be a stranger in a strange land, forced to emigrate to feed your family or just to stay alive.

Stunning, scintillating, vital. Do not miss it.

Charlotte's best bit: The man's rather engaging lizard-dog-fish-pet and all the other wonderful hybrid creatures Shaun Tan is so expert at drawing. 

Daddy's Favourite bit: An absolute belter of a first Book of the Week for us. One that will stand up to being pored over for years to come and establishing Tan as a supreme storytelling and illustrative talent. Can the man do no wrong?

I can only imagine what it must feel like when you're an author, and publishers link you up with one of the best children's book illustrators in the business to work on your new book. It must be a double edged sword, feeling that your story will get a fabulous visual treatment but then perhaps also feeling that your story will only be remembered for its fantastic art.

Luckily this is not the case with Pamela Duncan Edwards' "Winston Was Worried", which is a fantastic little story about a worry-wort dog who feels like he's the only doggie in the world that unfortunate things happen to. Benji ("Storm Whale") Davies is at the top of his game, and the book is glorious to look at but the story is funny, beautifully written and with plenty of neat twists along the way to make it a read-aloud favourite.

Winston injures his paw one day, and can't wait to tell his tale of woe to anyone he meets as he limps to the vet. Lovable Winston is completely oblivious to the fact that his accident prone friends are probably far worse off than he is though, so hilarity ensues as Winston seeks medical attention, meeting various other dogs along the way (including a Book-Sniffer-esque pug that is as cute as a button!)

Slickly told with an extremely brilliant last panel as Winston finally reaches his destination, with a surprise in store. Benji's brilliant doggie sketching in the end papers and throughout the book complete a fabulous woof-tastic package that's sure to be a big hit with children of all ages.

Charlotte's best bit: A sore paw is one thing. Ending up in the back of a dustbin lorry is something else! Owch!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Just love Benji's 'doggy' expressions and Pamela's fantastic flowing story. Wonderful!

Remember those fun and sometimes rather naughty little spidery characters from one of last year's "Book of the Week" nominees, Monkey Nut? Of course you do! Well they're back, and this time they're getting artistic!

In "Crayon", Red Spider and Blue Spider still don't quite see eye to eye on everything. Red Spider loves his blue crayon. Blue Spider loves his red crayon and both argue over which is better.

Simon Rickerty's largely wordless book relies on the knockabout comedy in his illustrations to convey the story in a fun and entertaining way just as with Monkey Nut.

"They are SO naughty!!" - Charlotte

There's also an equally satisfying 'pay-off' and twist at the end as both Red Spider and Blue Spider realise that working together and being friends (and having ALL the crayons, a sentiment we definitely identify with) is a far better idea than squabbling. This is a really fun and enjoyable book that Charlotte loves as a bit of a sneaky extra book at bedtime along with something a little longer (it's definitely a book that children younger than 5 are going to love to bits, particularly if they love characters who are exceedingly mischievous!)

Fabulous stuff from Simon!

Charlotte's best bit: Red Spider scribbling on Blue Spider. Very naughty!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Great fun little story, perfect for younger children

(Kindly sent to us for review by Simon and Schuster Children's Books)

Salariya contacted us to let us know about their fabulous range of history books aimed at young children. "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." is the range title, with a huge selection of diverse subjects covered. With similarities to the "Horrible Histories" and "Tony Robinson's Weird World" books, Salariya's range is presented in a larger format book with rich colourful illustrations, making them instantly engaging and attractive to Charlotte's age group (5-6 year olds) and beyond.

Fancy a mummified pet to keep you company in the afterlife? "You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy"

We took a look at the following books:

"You Wouldn't Want To Be an Egyptian Mummy"

"You Wouldn't Want To Be a Victorian Schoolchild"

"You Wouldn't Want to be Married to King Henry VIII" (too right we wouldn't!)

"You Wouldn't Want to be a Viking Explorer"

"You Wouldn't Want to be a Victorian Miner"

We're complete history nuts at home and we've passed on a bit of our love of history to Charlotte through visiting museums and taking a look at other non-fiction ranges from various publishers. Salariya's range presents facts in a brilliantly fun way and these have been a real hit.

Learning your times tables in "You Wouldn't Want to be a Victorian Schoolchild"

Charlotte was inspired to make her own Mummy...so one rainy sunday we got busy with a willing volunteer (Bad Burglar Barbie) and some old scraps of material...

Step by step, Barbie is about to be mummified!

Hey, why doesn't this look like the picture? Help Daddy!

Ahh, we need to bind the linen tighter. I see!

Almost there...

Time to add some heiroglyphics to the tomb. Robbers beware!

Barbie is now ready for the afterlife! Charlotte also drew Hapy (her favourite Egyptian god) and a stark warning of impalement for any would-be tomb robbers. Eek!

We have to admit we really loved "You Wouldn't Want to be an Egyptian" but the whole range is fantastic and well worth taking a look at if your children are a bit too young for the Horrible Histories range, and prefer more colourful and illustrated non fiction books. I particularly liked "You Wouldn't Want to be a Victorian Schoolchild" and Charlotte asking if I ever got the cane at school (I did, unfortunately, I'm old enough to remember when a thwack across the bottom was considered a just punishment. Owch!)

Various historians and authors produce a tantalising set of fascinating facts, and Dave Antram's illustrations throughout each of the titles are absolutely brilliant fun.

We're looking forward to the rest of the range (including an upcoming World War 1 based title called "You Wouldn't Want to be in the Trenches in World War 1").

You can take a look at the whole range via Salariya / Book House's website here. 

Charlotte's best bit: Creating her own Egyptian Mummy (with a handy spare Barbie Doll and some bandages!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: An utterly fantastic range full of facts and fascination, without an over-reliance on gross-out bits to keep children hooked. Beautifully presented and illustrated, and a great format for little hands

(Kindly sent to us for review by Salariya / Book House)

My awesome wife @thestrollingmum nabbed this for me for Christmas from a shop I dare not enter (Blackwells Poster Shop in Broad Street, Oxford). I dare not enter because I know I'd come out with armfuls of wonderful things, and a very empty bank balance!

I'd seen the "Darth Vader and Son" and of course "Vader's Little Princess" books before, and since Star Wars is as popular as ever - and seemingly still one of the most merchandisable brands on the planet, I'd wondered what these would be like.

Taking inspiration from the 'classic' star wars (the one I grew up with rather than the CG-fest episodes 1-3), we find Darth Vader as a doting dad doing his best to bring up a busy little toddler-sized Luke Skywalker. With lots of parental wisdom, a touch of the dark side and awesome Jedi mind powers, each cartoon panel is amusing and fun.
Charlotte liked the panel where Princess Leia turns all Luke's Stormtrooper toys into 'dollies' but she's using the force to resist Daddy's persuasion that geeky stuff like Star Wars is worthy of her attention.

The postcard book (reviewed) is a great little pocket-sized geek-out. We're quite interested in seeing what "Vader's Little Princess" is like, as that's more likely to get my own little jedi princess interested rather than Luke (who, let's face it, is far more boring than Leia!)

Charlotte's best bit: Giving Stormtroopers a makeover, Leia style

Daddy's Favourite bit: "Greedo hit me first!"

2014 marks the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1 and it's a subject that will receive extensive coverage in the media, in schools and in children's books. Usborne have already produced several brilliant resource books for the First World War and they were kind enough to send us a First World War Sticker Book from the new range, to take a look at.

Charlotte loves history, and she really loves sticker books so we were interested to see how Usborne treated a sensitive subject such as The Great War. In conjunction with the Imperial War Museum, they have produced a fantastic high-quality book packed with facts and figures about the war, the battles and the technology that was used on both sides.

100 stickers follow the timeline from the outbreak of war and the events surrounding it, to how quickly war swept across Europe and beyond. Photos and illustrations make up a fascinating (and sometimes gruesome) record for children to delve into, even after they've enjoyed sticking all the stickers down.

We always trust the Usborne brand to be of superb quality, informative and engaging and the "First World War Sticker Book" does not disappoint. Suitable for a range of ages from 7+, and supporting Key Stage 1/2.

Charlotte's best bit: The posters and propaganda materials. Women of Britain Say "GO!"
Daddy's Favourite bit: A really high quality engaging and respectfully produced sticker book, a fantastic place to start for children who are interested in history and want to find out more about the First World War

(Kindly sent to us for review by Usborne Publishing )

We've been following Julie Fulton's "Ever So" Series, absolutely hilarious rhyming books usually with a good moral tale woven between comedic moments. "Mrs Macready Was Ever So Greedy" is still a much-demanded bedtime favourite as is "Tabitha Posy Was Ever So Nosy" so can Julie and Jona keep up the momentum with a third book? You bet they can!

Miss Dorothy Jane is - well, as the title suggests, ever so vain and can't bear to leave the house without being topped out in the latest fashions. Her hair must be just so. Her make-up perfect. So when The Queen decides to visit Hamilton Shady for a grand opening, Dorothy-Jane immediately starts thinking about a new outfit. Hamilton Shady's most delightful citizen will get to meet the queen herself and Dorothy-Jane wants to make sure that she's the one chosen!

"Look Daddy there's Mrs Macready!" - Charlotte

You'd expect a self-obsessed fashion victim to be a bit of a bad egg but there's a surprise in store! As we've said, Julie's books are funny but as we follow Dorothy-Jane's attempts to keep her outfit, hair and makeup in tip-top condition on a fairly hazardous trip to the opening ceremony, something happens that  completely changes our perception of Miss Dorothy Jane. We'll leave you to find out what that is, of course.

Julie and Jona are a match made in booky heaven. Julie's rhymes trip off the tongue perfectly, and Jona's artwork is beautiful and colourful and laden with deft little touches of humour (and we loved Tabitha Posy and Mrs Macready making the odd cameo here and there too!)

"Would you have rescued the dog, Charlotte?" - Daddy
"Yes, but I wouldn't want to meet the Queen (!)" - Charlotte

Charlotte's best bit: Miss Dorothy Jane's utterly perfect outfits.

Daddy's Favourite bit: A genuine pleasure to read aloud and a great little moral message woven deftly into the humour. Another triumph for Julie and Jona. 

(Kindly sent to us for review by Maverick Publishing)

We're back and kicking off our happy new year of adventures in children's books we're taking a look at an interesting new title from Maverick Publishing. Maverick have put together some brilliant books and are a great place for debut authors to hone their craft.

With Alice Hemming and Kimberley Scott's "Black and White Club" The Heavenly Hippo Wildlife park is a paradise for all kinds of animals big and small, cuddly and cute. George the Giraffe lives in harmony with his fellow animals until one day, a group of penguins set up a new and rather exclusive club. Gathering together for fun and games, George wonders what he's missing out on and decides to try and sneak in. But a beautifully patterned giraffe does stick out like a sore thumb amongst the penguins, the lemurs and the zebras - so poor George is left out.

George and some of the other animals come up with a plan. If they can't join the Black and White Club, they'll do their own thing...!

The book was great for generating lots of discussion and questions. Charlotte wanted to know why the penguins were so mean, and why they wouldn't want George in their club! We discussed why the other animals rallied round and how having fun without excluding anyone was so much better than setting up boundaries and limits.

"Why didn't the penguins want George in their club, Daddy?" - Charlotte

Children are brilliant at seeing the world through eyes without such boundaries. I fear it's usually the influence of the adult world that begins to introduce them.

Charlotte's best bit: George's solution to the exclusive Black and White club.

Daddy's Favourite bit: A great book to kick off the new year, prompting lots of interesting discussion and debate!

(Kindly sent for review by Maverick Publishing)