Mina

Mina lives peacefully with her father until his latest discovery from the woods arrives with a suspiciously feline appearance. He insists the visitor is harmless, but Mina is not so sure. Matthew Forsythe's richly coloured, dryly funny story lets readers notice clues in the pictures, exploring trust, worry and the moment when a child may need to listen to her own good judgement.

Age suitability and learning: Preschool (3-5), Primary (6-8). The illustrated story suits shared reading with younger children and more independent exploration as reading grows. Following events encourages prediction, sequencing and vocabulary; discussing the characters gives children practice recognising feelings and considering other perspectives.

Available at QT Toys in Battersea.