Presented with child-friendly characters, heartwarming stories, superb art and laugh-aloud fun, this Christmas kaleidoscope of books will be cherished and read again and again.

It’s Potty Time! By Tracey Corderoy, illustrated by Caroline Pedler (Little Tiger; €8.35) is the perfect book for what can be a headache-inducing exercise.!

Despite the creepy bug-eyed cover, Love Monster by Rachel Bright (HarperCollins; €8.35) is the story of an ugly monster, unloved and the butt of children’s jibes.

EVERYONE who knows the story of the little girl who lost her sheep is naturally full of sympathy for her. But what really happened?