Hens and cockerels have always been favoured subjects for illustrators. Their comic shapes and character lend themselves perfectly to children’s books. Something Wonderful by Jenny Nimmo and Debbie Boon (Collins pound;9.99) is a must-have in the fowl collection. In this story, joyously painted by Boon with deliciously thick, colourful brushstrokes, the oh-so-ordinary Little Hen proves to a bunch of cocky rare-breed prize-winners, that she is an equally valuable member of their community. A wonderful artwork and story-writing resource for Years 1 and 2.

The ever-subversive Babette Cole takes a gentle dig at etiquette in her latest foray into tricky subjects (death, divorce, sex education, and health have so far been given the Cole overhaul). Lady Lupin’s Book of Etiquette (Hamish Hamilton pound;10.99) is a dry and ironic but nevertheless affectionate exploration of manners - a celebration of the silly and absurd, with wide age appeal. Cole’s illustration is at its best here, with fine expressive drawing full of witty detail, taking full advantage of the outlandish size and shape of her favourite real-life pet, Lady Lupin, a Scottish deerhound.

Lane Smith has captivated a new generation of children with his surreal and unnerving collage illustrations. Smith believes children reared in our visually-rich and technological world are capable of reading the most sophisticated visual messages. His latest picture book, The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip (Bloomsbury pound;10.99), has an extended text suitable for upper primary readers and above, and a series of magical but disturbing images that successfully reveal the inner selfishness of many of the characters. These are uncompromising pictures to accompany a deeply moral tale about a girl called Capable who uses wit, ingenuity and generosity to resolve problems and expose her neighbours, the not-in-my-backyard brigade. Again, this book would provide invaluable inspiration for artwork and storywriting, this time for juniors.

Red is a Dragon (Chronicle BooksRagged Bears pound;8.99), is a beautifully clear, graphic rhyming book about colour. Reception and Year 1 children will love chanting the vivid rhymes (“Red is a dragonRed is a drumRed are the firecrackersHere they come!”) while looking at the rich, bright colours and flat, elegant shapes, heavily influenced by contemporary art from the Far East. Like the rhymes by Roseanne Thong, Grace Lin’s picture compositions have the clarity of musical notes.

All small children are fascinated by poo, so The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business by Werner Holzwarth and Wolf Erlbruch (David Bennett Books pound;3.99) was bound to be a favourite. This classic bestseller about the plucky little mole who approaches horse, cow, pig, hare and pigeon in an attempt to find out who plopped on his head, is now available in pocket size. Text and illustration work together to make a perfect hilarious whole. Erlbruch’s witty and highly-informed pastel drawings revel in an aspect of animal life that rarely finds its way into picture books.

The crises of confidence that most young children experience at least once during every school day are wittily portrayed by Frieda Wishinsky in Just Mabel, with illustrations by Sue Heap, in Kingfisher’s I Am Reading series (pound;3.99). Mabel is a sensitive child, sent into a spin of self-doubt by the odd thoughtless remark about her name or her dress sense. But when a friend is on the receiving end of teasing after a new haircut, Mabel goes to her defence, realising her own self-worth in the process. A clear, well-written story with lively illustrations.

Two volumes of children’s classics, Wicked Wolf Tales and Cunning Cat Tales (both retold by Laura Cecil and illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark, Pavilion pound;12.99 each) would make a good classroom resource, especially designed for reading aloud with distinctive typography to cue in sound-effects. Chichester Clark’s vivid illustrations, rich in colour and drama, reinvigorate well-known tales such as “Puss in Boots” and “Little Red Riding Hood”. Her wolf is especially dark and threatening.