HUNTING LILA by Sarah Alderson (Simon and Schuster; €8.35).

Dilly Duckling by Claire Freedman, illustrated by Jane Chapman (Little Tiger; €5.92 HB) is the simple tale of a ditsy duckling who wanders from the rest of the brood to catch her downy feather, which has been caught by the wind.

OTTO the Book Bear, by Kate Cleminson (Jonathan Cape; €7.10), lives in a book. At night, when all is quiet, he comes to life and explores the house, reads stories and writes.

The Big Beach Boogie by Jenny Arthur (Caterpillar Books €10.66 HB) is a big, colourful, musical counting book to welcome summer.

THE Crunching Munching Caterpillar by Sheridan Cain and Jack Tickle (Little Tiger; €9.50 HB).

EMBRACING the multi-cultural society we live in, Alanna Books, a small independent UK publisher, has responded to the need for sharing language.

DO IGLOOS HAVE LOOS?

BEN’S BIRTHDAY by Elizabeth Hawkins, illustrated by Paul Cemmick (Tamarind; €6) tells of party-obsessed Ben, who has only had six birthdays, while his sister’s 10th birthday party is on right now.

You Do!, by Kes Gray with illustrations by Nick Sharratt (Red Fox €8.80), is a salutary lesson to mothers who ought to think before having a rant.

THE Truth About Leo by David Yelland. (Penguin; €8.80). David Rake has lost his parents. But two positives happen: a girl called Flora stands up for him in class against the unpopular Mr Manders, and the prime minister replies to David’s email inviting him to open the new library.

WAKE UP! by Katie Cleminson (Red Fox; €7.55) follows the day of a little boy whose imaginary friendship with an elephant, a cat and various other animals are all part of his activities – from being woken by an elephant, stretching like a cat, playing the violin like an octopus and eating like a hippo. An inspiring read-aloud for reluctant bedtimers.

is a delightful blend of loud colours, bold line, quirky story and – for an extra thrill – an enigmatic glowing shape. A boy looks through his telescope at the night sky. What is that shape outlined against the moon?

We first meet Mad Dog in the home of his foster parents, a kindly couple who really want to make the boy and his baby brother happy.

BEFORE setting off abroad, Sandi Toksvig’s Guide to France (Red Fox €5.00) is a must for youngsters.

BURIED ALIVE by Jacqueline Wilson (Corgi; €7.55) is the sequel to the popular Cliffhanger, where we first met Tim, his foody friend Biscuits and the bossy Kelly.