the Chihuahua boys are probably secret agents in training (they both have James Bond style bowties they wear for special occasions). I think Bella Boo is secretly an artist as every time I turn my back she steals something from my desk or waste paper basket

on his own terms. First published in 1999, children delight in the playful antics of prancing animals, brilliantly evoked in exuberant style by illustrator Guy Parker-Rees, but there’s also a simple moral about tolerance and daring to be different

Picture Book Of The Year *Highly Commended*Slightly Invisible by Lauren Child Orchard Books, £10.99, 3+The inspiration for Lauren Child’s latest visit to Charlie and Lola land occurred at a book signing. “A little boy said to me, almost under his

Whoever said that baby books need to be in bright primary colours obviously has never come across the gentler design aesthetics of Orla Kiely. The strong graphic design of this uber-tasteful tome features Kiely’s instantly recognised signature style

the story of a girl’s life, and the passions that shape it. Written in a sparse but highly evocative style, with a resonance that lingers long after reading, the book’s sombre but life-enhancing mood is perfectly captured by Ryan’s illustrations. "It was a

Elliott’s book has all the hallmarks of a classic. “Stories of feral Mowgli-esque children have always fascinated me and as a child I adored animals and daydreamed of living amongst them,” says Elliott. “I’d had the rough idea for Zoo Girl buzzing around

Yokococo’s story is a tale of not one, but two, cats: Matilda and Hans. Matilda is the archetypal paragon of virtue, a goody-two-shoes who sits quietly reading her book or diligently watering her plants, or generally doing good deeds, while Hans

sense of mischievous fun.The Hueys And The New Jumper by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins, £10.99)Who won the Junior Design Awards Best Picture Book 2012 category? More books by Oliver Jeffers.

things do start to look rather dull so yes, I think my style will continue to evolve, and hopefully improve! On the other hand, after years of doing, at best, merely mediocre digital illustrations for mass-market children’s books, I do finally feel

stand up on the back of your neck or make you laugh out loud – or both! Usually these masters of language and pictures create works as poignant for adults as they are fun for children. Two books like this which I LOVE are Harold And The Purple Crayon