Kitty-in-Boots by Beatrix Potter, £12.99

"Once upon a time there was a serious, well-behaved young black cat. It belonged to a kind old lady who assured me that no other cat could compare with Kitty.”

This original tale by Beatrix Potter was recently rediscovered after publisher Jo Hanks had read a reference to it in an out of print biography of Beatrix Potter in which she "mentioned the story of a well-behaved prime black Kitty cat, who leads rather a double life.” The book has been beautifully illustrated by the world-renowned Quentin Blake.

When Miss Kitty sneaks out to go hunting she gets herself into all sorts of scrapes, but on this particular night she meets the foxiest hunter of them all - Mr Tod!

This utterly entertaining tale is filled with mistaken identities, devious villains and even an appearance from a slightly older (and portlier) Peter Rabbit.

CAROLINE REECE

WATERSTONES KENDAL