Baby books: *6 months to 12 months*

• Fave Rave: You Choose!
• Honorable mention: Wiggle Bug Wants Wings

THIS MONTH'S FAVE RAVE:
You Choose, by Mary Murphy
This economically-priced, easy-to-hold book stars a little penguin character spending his days with a grown-up. He is shown busily discovering, enjoying, and being like any inquisitive baby. 

Throughout the book the grown-up penguin prompts the little one to make decisions about their shared activities, which include deciding what to make with the building bricks 'A bridge!' shouts the little penguin, what to dress up as, and finally which way to go on their walk 'Home!' says little penguin decisively. Each time, the decision is hidden under a fold-out section at the edge of the page, which is a neat device.

Published by Mammoth, £2.99 each

HONOURABLE MENTION:
Wiggle Bug Wants Wings, by Stephanie Sloan, with illustrations by Woody. 
This bright (but rather heavy) board book immediately stands out because of its six blue velvet legs hanging down from the bottom of the book (not shown in picture opposite). And there's a spangly silver fabric indent that follows the undulating line of the funny bug character on the front cover. 

There are different textures throughout the book, featuring the soft fur of a rabbit, the curly wool of a lamb, an insert on the leaping toad's back that is simultaneously bumpy, shimmery, and iridescent, and finally two big expanses of soft velvety fabric for the bug's new wings. The dangling legs and the image of the newly-emerged ladybird work very well together at the end.

Dad of a 10-month-old comments: "Baby likes trying to follow the silver line on the cover, and grab hold of the little legs at the bottom. The repetitive text is good."

Published by Egmont, £3.99

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