Learning & Development: Book choice

Now out in paperback, this amusing tale takes a look at Bat's upside down view of the world. All the young wild animals think Bat is mad. How can she say a tree has the trunk at the top and the leaves at the bottom? Then they consult wise Owl, who suggests that if they try looking at things from Bat's point of view, they might see things very differently. Daft Bat deftly taps into children's innate keenness to explore the world; into their thrill from hanging upside down that comes with growing body strength and awareness; and into their early childhood challenges of trying to see the world as others might see it.

Tiddler by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler (Alison Green Books, RRP £10.99)

Award-winning Gruffalo team Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler return with this delightful story about Tiddler, a little fish with a big imagination when it comes to tall tales about why he is always late for school. Every day comes a new excuse - he met a mermaid, was riding a seahorse, went flying with a ray. Then one day Tiddler has a real adventure when he gets caught in a fishing net. Offering plenty of opportunities for children to join in the storytelling, Tiddler is attracting five-star reviews on Amazon. Another children's classic in the making?

A Present for Freddie Small by Nick Butterworth, illustrated by Michael Evans (Egmont Books, RRP £10.99)

Nick Butterworth has teamed up with newcomer Michael Evans to create this charming story about Freddie Small, who has a big problem with bedtime. Freddie likes his bedroom and isn't afraid of the dark - he just doesn't want to go to sleep. Mum's storytime, dad's lullabies and Freddie's favourite toys all fail to get him to snuggle down for the night. It's only after a visit from her grandson that Gran devises a strange but perfect solution. The story is warm, humorous and sympathetic to how much a child can dislike going to bed and find comfort in a special bedtime toy.