The great John Burningham makes picture books whose sophistication is wrapped in simplicity. This is true of the images, whose unfussy beauty and wibbly line are executed with unwavering skill. This story, of mice who are forewarned to escape a mouse-catcher, embraces the importance of protecting strangers from harm.

Here's one to squeak and squeak about... Mouse House is packed with themes: children v parents; empathy v tolerance; why you should think before you speak, or squeak. It's a serious story that might also be about the treatment of immigrants, the narrow-mindedness of the old and the infuriating naivety of youth - or it could just be about a failed attempt to kill rodents.

a hilarious tale of a honey-loving bear who disguises himself as a bee to get easier access to the sweet sticky stuff.

Nadia Shireen has penned a delightful, fast paced narrative with a wonderful character - The Bumblebear is a fabulous picture book!

Norman is a bear that loves honey. A lot. But with the pesky bees always hovering round the stash, he needs a cunning plan. Dressed in disguise, Norman sneaks into Bee School – but will his cover-up be rumbled? And will Norman finally learn to be happy in his own fur? Funny and poignant, Bumblebear has a sweet message about acceptance at its heart. You’ll be reading it on repeat this summer holiday.

offers bold, lively artwork, spirited characters and a playful story

Full of the landscapes one both expects and looks forward to in Russian fairytales, Hortense and the Shadow is both elegant and ominous, poetic and dark, and enchanting.

A beautiful story of identity and self-acceptance... an utterly lovely picture book with an empowering message.

Hortense hates her shadow - crooked, tall and always there - and tries to ditch it in this hauntingly beautifully illustrated fairy tale. But one night, in the dark woods, bandits come a-calling and Hortense realises she needs her shadow after all. Entirely gorgeous.

A delightful picture book... could be read time and time again, becoming a treasured book.

Hortense detests the dark shadow that follows her wherever she goes. Until, on a lone walk one night, she comes upon a group of bandits in the woods and her shadow proves an invaluable ally. Stunning illustrations and sparse text combine to create a fascinating, nuanced tone in this tale that touches on themes of fear, friendship, and self-acceptance.

The lilting text and gorgeous spreads of snowy landscapes in pastel shades, with touches of bolder colours, create a magical atmosphere that is perfect for this carefully crafted fairy tale. The story gently touches on themes of self-perception and facing your fears. This is a stunningly beautiful debut picture book from two sisters who first discovered a love of stories and fables through the tales told to them by their Polish grandmother.

It's a classic in the making, real new talent, original, and set in a perfect fairy tale world. What more could you want from a bedtime story?

Had I owned this book as a little girl, I would have read it over and over, looking for hidden details.