Written by Julie Hegarty. Illustrated by Ritchie Collins
Published by Starlet Publishing Ltd

When Crabbit the crusty crustacean comes to stay with his gentle cousin, Hermie it's up to the hermit crab's friends to protect him and clever Michelle discovers why Crabbit is such a bully. The rhyming text is fun to read aloud and Ritchie Collins's bold, bright illustrations really bring the characters to life. The first in a series of four books about Michelle the shell and her rock-pool pals.

Written by Janey Louise Jones, illustrated by Veronica Vasylenko
published by Picture Corgi

Poppy and her friend Honey are loving all the fun of the fair until they discover that neither has enough money to buy the beautiful dresses on display at Saffron's Sewing Stall. They're just perfect for that evening's Ball. Mum and Dad suggest that they earn the dresses by being helpful to all the stallholders and - despite a little reluctance on Poppy's part - that's exactly what they do. The Ball is a stunning event, but nobody could have predicted exactly how special the evening would become...

Written by Angela McAllister, illustrated by Ross Collins
Published by Bloomsbury

It's Ollie's first visit to the shops by himself, and Mum sends him off with all kinds of instructions ringing in his ears. But she does not warn him about all the weird and wonderful creatures he meets en route - Ollie has to use his quick wits and common sense to get by and he returns safely, although unwilling to let Mum know exactly what has gone on. Great fun, with a dry wit and fabulous illustrations which tell a great deal of the story.

Written and illustrated by Moira Munro
Published by Piccadilly Press

Hamish lives in the House of Teddies, where all the bears are waiting eagerly for their own special child to come along. All the bears apart from Hamish that is, he's too busy having fun to need a child of his own. Then one day a special little girl visits the shop and suddenly Hamish realises that he's not so independent after all. A delightful book to share, full of warmth and humour.

Moira is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.

Written and illustrated by Moira Munro
Published by Piccadilly Press

Everyone is having fun at the Great Teddy Bear Picnic, but Hamish's wee friend Finn is so over-excited, he squashes the delicious slice of cake Hamish is saving for his special little girl. Finn is upset and blames himself for being so clumsy. How can he find a way to make up to Hamish? Sharp-eyed youngsters will spot the solution in the wonderfully detailed illustrations.

Moira is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.

Retold by Margaret Mayo, illustrated by Selina Young
Published by Orchard Books

This beautifully illustrated book contains a good range of the best-known fairy tales and they're ideal for reading aloud. A working knowledge of traditional stories can be very helpful to children in their reading and writing later on and it's important not to assume that all children - or adults - know them!

Written and illustrated by Sally Chambers
Published by Piccadilly Press

The perfect book for young football fans. Wilbie the duck has a passion for football. He watches it on TV and sometimes his dad even takes him to a match. But he has never actually played football and his try-out for the local team is a disaster. His dad suggests they practise and they have so much fun that Wilbie hardly notices how much his football is improving. A funny, gentle story, which sings the praises of football and subtly encourages dads and lads to take more exercise together!

Selected by Janet Schulman
Published by Hutchison

This is a fantastic collection of over 40 picture books and stories first published last century. Many of the American favourites, such as Make Way for Ducklings and Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel will be new discoveries for British readers. A treasure trove of bedtime reading.

Written and illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura
Published by Random House

A picture book-sized series of strip cartoons all about Boots the cat. The straightforward text is spiked with plenty of quirky humour and visual jokes as Boots tries to find a quiet place to sleep, plays a guessing game and discovers if cats can swim. A book with lots of appeal for all ages.

Illustrated by Korky Paul, written by Valerie Thomas
Published by Oxford University Press

Winnie the Witch is thrilled by her new toy - a Pumpkin XIII - it can do everything. She orders equipment from wands.r.us.com, scans in her spells and, unwisely, throws away her ancient spell book. Korky Paul's artwork is packed with fantastic details that will keep youngsters fascinated for hours.

Written by Kes Gray and illustrated by Garry Parsons
Published by Bodley Head

Billy's choice of birthday present is a little unusual - he wants a bucket! His parents are surprised but they take him to Buckets 'R' Us to choose the one he wants. Billy lets his imagination go wild as he sees sharks, stingrays, clown fish and even a submarine in his bucket, but the last laugh is on his mum and dad when they fail to take the power of his imagination seriously... Lots of fun and proof that stories can be found everywhere.

Written by Karen Langley and illustrated by Jonathan Langley
Published by Frances Lincoln

This story all about the excitement - and sometimes the worry - of being in your first school play will strike a chord with lots of families at this time of the year. Jimmy is the Star in his school play and he practises shining all the time, but he knows he can only shine his best if his dad is in the audience. Will he make it back from work on time? A humorous and touching story with lovely, warm illustrations. And yes, there's a happy ending!

Written and illustrated by Ted Dewan
Published by Picture Corgi

This is the second story about Crispin Pig. In Crispin the Pig who had it All, he learned to share his toys and found out that that friends are better than any amount of toys. This time, when his mum has three little piglets, he has to learn to share not only his toys but his house and his parents too. It isn't easy, but gradually Crispin discovers that being a big brother can be brilliant... and very, very noisy!

Written by Karen Wallace, illustrated by Mike Bostock
Published by Walker Books

This comes highly recommended by Reading Champion Nicola Morgan. 'I love this because I wish I'd read it as a child (I'd have HAD to become an eel expert if so) and because I wish I'd had it to read to my children. Magical, beautiful language, stunning, dreamy pictures and you wouldn't BELIEVE what you'll learn about eels!'

Karen is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.

Written and Illustrated by Eileen Browne
Published by Walker Books

Many children will have met Handa before in Handa's Surprise, a colourful counting book set in Kenya. This time Handa and her friend Akeyo go looking for Grandma's black hen and find instead, three stripy mice, six jumpy crickets, nine shiny starlings... but where can Mondi the hen be? A beautifully illustrated counting story with a clever surprise at the end.

Written by Mike Haines and illustrated by David Melling
Published by Hodder Children's Books

This sturdy lift-the-flap book invites youngsters to join in the fun and help Fidget and Quilly get ready for school. Little hands will be itching to lift the clever multiple-layer flaps to help the two friends get dressed, search for their bags and even catch the bus. Just right for youngsters about to start school.

Written and illustrated by Ian Kirkwood
Published by Capercallie Books Ltd

Based on Scottish folklore, this is the story of a cowherd whose job is to find the best grazing in order to strengthen his beasts for the harsh winter ahead, and to protect them from ruthless cattle rustlers. But one day he isn't quite quick enough, and there's nothing for it but to seek help from a local archer.

Written by Kes Gray and illustrated by Nick Sharratt
Published by Red Fox

A familiar family scene is given a very funny twist as Daisy's mum tries to persuade her determined daughter to eat her peas. Her bribes become more and more extreme, until finally Daisy turns the tables on her mum and they reach a very satisfying compromise. Less confident readers can follow the story in the colourful and detailed illustrations.

Kevin Henkes
Published by Hodder Children's Books

Lilly loves school! She loves the pointy pencils, she loves having her very own desk and she especially loves her teacher, Mr Slinger. In an effort to impress him she takes her brand new purple plastic purse to school with disastrous, but hilarious results. Warm, funny and exuberant, this book is an absolute delight.

Written by Helen Dunwoodie
Published by Young Corgi

Daisy and Robina are so desperate for a dog, they resort to magic and when a fabulous-looking dog suddenly appears in their house they are sure the spell has worked. Of course the truth isn't nearly so exciting, but they still have the dog of their dreams.

Written and illustrated by Aileen Paterson
Published by Glowworm Books

Maisie, a kilted kitten from Morningside, is a great traveller. In previous books she's seen the rainforest, and visited Paris - and Glasgow.

This time she hits New York, with exciting results. Catch up on her other adventures in the other Maisie books.

Aileen is a Reading Champion. To find out more, click here.

Written and illustrated by Mairi Hedderwick
Published by Hodder Children's Books

Kirsty takes her Grannie on an action-packed walk through Highland countryside - complete with a horse, sheep, dogs, cows and hens. Those familiar with the Katie Morag books will recognise Mairi's distinctive style and wonderful eye for detail.

Mairi is a Reading Champion. To find out more click here.

Written by Vivian French, illustrated by Alison Bartlett
Published by Hodder Children's Books

Bright illustrations accompany this story about a little boy who likes the idea of fresh fruit but who has no intention of actually eating it. Both children and their parents will recognise the situation.

Oliver also finds himself in a pickle in Oliver's Vegetables and Oliver's Milk Shake.