Julia Donaldson is back with another winner in the best kids books of the month

Every new Donaldson book is a reason to celebrate, and this warm and witty story, beautifully illustrated, is a welcome exploration of fatherhood.

When Bear wakes from his winter sleep, an egg hatches in front of him and out hops Gozzle, a gosling who immediately calls him Daddy and follows him everywhere. Bear tries everything to offload Gozzle, who eats honey, refuses to swim or fly and sleeps on his chest.

As spring warms to summer, however, Gozzle meets a more suitable family with whom to migrate for winter. Bear is bereft – but a lovely twist brings a happy ending. Another winner from this brilliant team.

This interactive book, giving readers the choice of where the story goes, is a lesson in finding one’s inner voice and has a wide range of characters from complicated backgrounds.

Fred’s domineering parents make all his decisions – including his secondary school (Dad’s academic, sporty alma mater, of course).

Fred would prefer arty Brownlee, so when the bus arrives on his first day he must decide – should he pretend to be a pupil there?

This first step dictates many possible storylines and, as each is quite short, it will encourage reluctant readers as well as those who relish the challenge. Funny, warm and wise.

Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream provides the backdrop for this fantasy of two warring kingdoms divided by the historical feud between King Oberon and Queen Titania. When 12-year-old Oli

travels through a portal from modern-day Swindon into the magical world of Silvanland, she triggers a prophesy revolving around an ancient necklace.

She meets Prince Cory, kidnapped by his family’s enemies, and together they battle forces of evil, cursed nature and shapeshifting servants to ensure justice is restored before it’s too late.

Action-packed and menacing, this is an impressive debut.