Are We There Yet?: Take a leaf out of these books

Witchetty grubs taste better with peanut sauce, or so my son has just informed me. No, he's not the next star of I'm a Celebrity... (well, only in his dreams), he's just read this juicy little titbit in my copy of the new guidebook Travel with Kids, by William Gray (19.99; footprintbooks.com).

The thing I like about this edition (recipes aside) is that it's one of those rare finds: a practical family guide as well as an entertaining read. Each section has its own dedicated "Kidstuff" area featuring lots of interesting things that only your kids will want to know, like how to do a "backside 360-degree spin" on piste (I've been doing this, unwittingly, for years) or the best place to ride an ostrich in Africa.

There are lots of other interesting new travel books launching that are aimed at families, too. The Rough Guide to Travel with Babies and Young Children by Fawzia Rasheed de Francisco (9.99; roughguides. com), due out next month, is a must-read if you're new to holidaying with a tot. There's a whole host of things you didn't know you needed to know, from how to child-proof a hotel room to where to buy formula milk in Polynesia.

And if you're looking for something to grace your coffee table, you're in for a treat. Two new glossy tomes come hot off the press, perfect for families in need of some inspiration. Check out The Big Short Break by Original Publishing (19.95) or Unusual Hotels of the World (16.99; gounusual.com), a real gem that tells you where you can sleep in a cabin of a rotating dockside crane, an underwater hotel and even an igloo.

Lots for the whole family to dream about, and (one hopes) not a witchetty grub in sight.