The Great Nursery Rhyme Disaster by David Conway

In this topsy-turvy nursery rhyme world, Little Miss Muffett is bored of her repetitive role, and sick of being intimidated by spiders, so decides to break out of her own story to see what is happening elsewhere.

Bumping into all sorts of well-known characters along the way - including the Grand Old Duke of York, Jack and Jill and The Queen of Hearts - Miss Muffett upsets plots all over the place, causing much chaos in the process.

It’s an amusingly anarchic take on a familiar format, with matchingly madcap illustrations and satisfyingly silly. Inquisitive young minds will no doubt identify with Miss Muffett’s need to explore the unknown, though protective parents may not necessarily approve of her rebellious tendencies.

I'm Not Going Out There! by Paul Bright, illustrated by Ben Cort

What could possibly be scarier than a fire-breathing dragon, a ghost with no head, stubbly witches, or tutu-wearing monsters? An angry sibling of course!

Anyone who has ever hidden from an older brother or sister will identify with this vibrantly illustrated, light-hearted picture book.

Written in rhyming, rhythmic verses, young readers will enjoy anticipating and joining in with the refrain 'I'm not going out there!' on every page, as an assortment of potential menaces in the child's bedroom are eventually upstaged by the ultimate peril – a shrieking sister with a spider in her shoe!

Mr Pusskins by Sam Lloyd

In many ways, this is a classic morality tale that reminds the reader to 'count your blessings' and 'the grass isn't always greener...'. But it is also a witty and compelling story about a cantankerous, ungrateful cat, Mr Pusskins, who, bored of his owner's stories and constant fussing, decides to leave home in search of adventure.

As the honoured guardian of my very own contrary fluffy ginger cat, I was both highly amused and duly impressed at the author's convincing portrayal of feline characteristics. Lloyd succeeds in capturing the fickle, indifferent attitude that most cat-people will instantly recognise.

The illustrations have a slightly manic, almost child-like quality to them, and yet at the same time capture a range of expressions and emotions beautifully. From indifference at Emily's attentions, to glee at his escape and subsequent rebellious antics, to tragic self-pity when he realises that street life is not all it's cracked up to be, to his eventual remorse and contrition, Mr Pusskins' changing demeanour is perfectly delivered.

A happy ending, when Mr Pusskins is reunited with an ecstatic Emily, gives the tale a welcome feel-good factor which reassures the reader that it's never too late to say sorry.

Wibbly Pig's Silly Big Bear by Mick Inkpen

The latest Wibbly Pig story maintains the subtle simplicity of what has become a favourite character series, this time offering a touchingly hearfelt message: that being kind and fun is just as valid as being clever and coordinated.

The chemistry between Wibbly Pig and his silly big bear leaps off the page via Inkpen's expressive illustrations. WP's resigned reactions to his bear's inability to eat peas, put pyjamas on properly, or indeed undertake the most routine tasks with any efficiency, turn to joy as we learn that he can jump...crash...and bash and is enthusastic.

The humourous text has a pleasing rhythm to it, with emphasised words on each page that children will delight in shouting out, as this is one story they will surely be learning off by heart.

Delilah Darling is in the Library by Jeanne Wills, illustrated by Rosie Reeve

Has Clarice Bean got competition? Not quite... 'Delilah' makes no bones about jumping on the Bean bandwagon, most obviously in the layout and quirky text-design which scream 'CB wannabe'. Delilah is also a feisty, somewhat contrary female character, but with perhaps less of the off-the-wall humour which makes CB so appealing. On the upside, Reeve's trademark pastel colours and soft edges make the illustrations strikingly different to Lauren Child's modern, angular style, and lend the character Delilah her own distinct personality. The story itself takes place in the library, where Delilah makes a nuisance of herself, spinning tall stories from her overactive imagination. Despite my initial cynicism over the blatant stylistic imitation, I have to admit that 'Delilah' is an entertaining read, energetically written and attractively illustrated.