Farewell to procrastination when it comes to saying goodnight to a toddler - perhaps - with the lovely board book by Jane Yolen, writes Philippa Logan.

How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? (HarperCollins, £5.99) is all about good behaviour at bedtime, but Mark Teague's humorous illustrations hit the spot exactly.

The book should strike a chord with every toddler who would rather have another piggyback ride and every parent who has already done all that and now just wants a hug and a kiss before turning off the light.

Also aimed at the very young is Little Big Mouth by Jeanne Willis (Walker, £9.99). This has mix-and-match flip-flap pages of monsters - the message from the adult point of view is that it's not nice to call people (or monsters) names. The young will simply enjoy turning those flaps with their funny monsters midriffs and other parts.

For rather more hilarity comes Pete the Sheep by Jackie French (HarperCollins, £5.99) - all about a shearer who does not have a sheepdog but a sheepsheep.

This story about a gentleman sheep who persuades his fellow sheep to have a bit of a trim by politeness and manners rather than by barking and growling should amuse parents and children alike.

Lovely illustrations in Lucia and the Light by Phyllis Root (Walker, £10.99). The work of the artist, Mary Grandpre, has featured in the Harry Potter books, and the illustrations here too are rather mysterious and magical.

In contrast to that brand new story is an age-old magical tale, Beauty and the Beast, retold by Max Eilenberg and sumptuously illustrated (Walker, £12.99). It's a long story, so not suitable for the very youngest, but the length gives all the more scope for Angela Barrett's beautiful, evocative drawings.

John Warden has just published an illustrated book entitled Jack and the Swample aimed at children aged from seven to 11, writes Peter Cann.

Published by Troubador, the story concerns a fisherman's son who goes to sea and is captured by pirates. He wins part of their treasure but soon finds himself marooned.

The adventure doesn't end there as he is rescued and eventually returns home.

John Warden is retired and lives in Islip, where you can purchase the book from the village shop.