My Top 5 Children's Books 2005

I adored Driftwood by newcomer, Cathy Cassidy. I was sucked in from the very start and nearly missed my train stop because I was so engrossed. This is a highly accessible, well written book which deals with serious issues such as bullying and teen suicide in a natural and light handed way. The characters are deftly drawn, realistic and very likable and the plot cracks along at a lively pace. I was completely hooked. I'd highly recommend it for girls of ten plus.

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers is another smasher and my picture book of the year.

The author and illustrator of the Children's Books Ireland/Bisto merit award winning 'How to Catch a Star' is back with a brand new adventure. 'Once there was a boy and one day he found a penguin at his door.' So begins this exceptional picture book about the boy's quest to find the penguin's real home. But all is not as it seems and there's a charming twist at the end.

Each page is meticulously designed, from the layout of the pages to the easy-on-the-eye lettering. The strong, graphic watercolour illustrations are magical. A joyful examination of friendship. Don't miss it.

Each page of this book features photographed miniatures - small 3-d sets hand crafted by Child and 'captured' by Polly Borland. The text is perfectly pitched for reading aloud to a knowing four or five year old. The prince is 'handsome - not too handsome, just handsome enough.'

The photographs are fascinating and any child (or adult) will spend hours pouring over them. The flat paper cut-out dolls look somewhat incongruous in the 3-d sets, but this is a minor quibble. Overall, a startlingly handsome picture book.

For thoughtful girl readers of nine plus John Quinn's book, Bill and Fred? is a good choice. Kate Lynch and her family become involved with the rather unusual Walburley Hall sisters, Bill and Fred who have spent their former lives in Africa and are full of surprises. This is a delightful book, full of warmth and humour, Quinn has a light touch and his prose is a joy to read. An engaging and rewarding book which would also make an excellent read aloud bedtime story for a younger child.

A strong, original and thoughtful teenage book about the afterlife that packs quite a punch. A little slow at the start, but once you are sucked in you can't put it down. Lyrical writing and a very clever plot. Age 11+.

And I'll squeeze in two new editions of classic texts - the Helen Oxenbury illustrated Alice Through the Looking Glass and The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderso and illustrated by Ukrainian artist, Vladyslav Yerko, sumptuous gift books that also stole my heart.

I used to work with John in Waterstone's and this is a stunning debut children's novel, striking, thought provoking, upsetting, uplifting. I read it several months ago and I'm still thinking about it. It deserves to be a huge stonking hit for John, and if it isn't, there's no justice in the book world.

It's already been optioned for film rights and will be published in nine different countries in January, including Korea and Germany.

It's very hard to review the book without giving the clever and original plot away. But it's about two boys who become friends despite the odds, and how this friendship changes both their lives. It's set in the recent past, and is beautifully, lyrically written. Please read it! You won't regret it, I promise.