Lifesize Kitten and Puppy Board Books, published by Dorling Kindersley, £3.99 each

WHO can resist baby animals, especially at this time of year? The "Aahh" factor will delight young and old in the latest spring books for very young readers from publishers Dorling Kindersley.

It's never too early to interest children in the delights of books, and the Lifesize Kitten and Puppy Board Books are both a grabbable toy and a great introduction to the pleasures of reading.

The two books are ideal for shared moments between toddlers and grown-ups or older brothers and sisters. The life size animal shape invites you to pick up and open the tough board pages filled with DK's hallmark of superb colour photography and the simple text will stimulate even non-readers into conversation reinforcing ideas of direction such as up, down, under, in.

But more than anything, the books are just fun and should withstand attack from the toughest teething toddler.

RITA SHAW

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