The Flyaway Alphabet by Mary Murphy (Egmont Books, £4.99)

THE letters have escaped and the Alphabet Keeper wants them back... but can she catch them in her net?

She spies them in the park - but P turns upside down and turns park into bark, and the chase is on.

This tumbling tale of letters on the loose will take young readers on a madcap journey through the alphabet and make them look at language in a new way.

There is a surreal feel to The Flyaway Alphabet, reminiscent of Dr Seuss - loud becomes cloud and hat becomes cat, for example - that will ensure children are transfixed by the ideas and fast-paced rhythm.

The illustrations are simple but effective - the Alphabet Keeper is sufficiently sinister and there is a mischievous edge to the letters as they lead her on a merry dance.

Mary Murphy is an award-winning writer and illustrator, who's other titles include I Kissed the Baby! and Please be Quiet!

Jim Collins