6-8 yrs
Olivia
By Ian Falconer, Simon and Schuster, $17.90 from Borders
Oh, Olivia. This fastidious piglet wears everyone out with her nonsensical antics, such as trying out every item in her wardrobe before choosing an outfit. Follow Olivia as she gets into one scrape after another. You think you might dislike her but, somehow, Olivia eventually endears herself to you. The sepia illustrations punctuated by pops of red are attractive in their simplicity, making this a modern classic.

1-3 yrs
Counting
By Alison Jay, Templar Publishing, $34.15 from Borders
Count your way through fairy-tale land. Visit the three little pigs in their cottage, walk over to meet Snow White’s seven dwarfs and get a good look at the 10 sharp teeth in the mouth of the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood. Familiar fairy-tales serve as a delightful backdrop in this counting book, where readers count from one to 10 and back again.

1-3 yrs
Colours
By Charlie Gardner and Victoria Harvey, Dorling Kindersley Limited, $18.90 from Borders
This aptly titled book about colours introduces five shades to the toddler reader. The intense colours and clear pictures serve as strong visual aids. Foldout flap pages reveal hidden pictures and make this a fun first book for kids.

1-3 yrs
Kiss Good Night
By Amy Hest and Anita Jeram, Candlewick Press, $13.95 from Borders
It is cold and dreary outside but warm and cosy inside. Mrs Bear is putting Sam to bed. After a bedtime story, tucking him in tight with the blanket, arranging his stuffed toys around him and giving him some warm milk, something is still missing from Sam’s bedtime routine. What is it? A sweet story that will make readers go “Awww”, this is perfect as a bedtime read.

4-6 yrs
The Daddy Book
By Todd Parr, Little, Brown and Company, $29.90 from Borders
Fathers take centre stage in this book about the many different kinds of daddies. Which is yours? Is he the one who works in a spaceship or the one who can bake cakes? There are also plenty of normal daddies who simply drive out for a doughnut and work from a humble home office. Celebrate fatherly love! This book spurs even adults to think about their own papas. 

6-8 yrs
The Cat in the Mask
By Dick Crossley and Deborah van de Leijgraaf, Ladybird Books, $5.90 from Borders
Gus the cat leads a double life as a domestic pet by day and a superhero by night. When the sun goes down, he puts on a mask, dons a cape and goes off to clear the streets of robbers, burglars and even monsters. In the day, he catches up on sleep until Ben, his owner, calls him a lazy cat. This book is a part of the Superhero Phonics Readers series.

Get a copy of the Feb 2010 issue of Young Parents  for expert advice and local tips to make you a better mum or dad. Young Parents, published by SPH Magazines, is available at all newsstands now. Check out more stories at Young Parents online, www.youngparents.com.sg.