Through the magic telescope

A bewitched bed, a secret garden, a roof with a rocket and a heaven just for dogs. Sally Williams goes to some strange and marvellous places in the latest picture books for the youngest readers

Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke, illustrated by Paul Howard (Walker, £9.99). A lyrical and loveable story of a big family get together at "Grannie's" house. Accompanied by a noise commentary: the "cling, clank" of plates; "tip, tip, struggle, juggle" as little Jay Jay reaches for the sweetie tin, and pictures as warm as a fuggy kitchen, this book transforms a family dinner into something memorable.

I'm Not Invited? by Diana Cain Blunthenthal (Simon & Schuster, £4.99). Comic realism and poignancy combine in this sharp, wise story of little Minnie who feels left out, alone, and is not invited to her best friend's party. Simple, yet characterful pictures artfully show Minnie's growing desperation as the week passes and still she hasn't received an invitation. Brilliantly quirky asides such as Parties'R'Us calling by mistake keep the mood light. One of those picture books that will get pounced on with cries of delighted and horrified recognition.

The Magic Bed by John Burningham (Cape, £10.99). Forty years now since his first picture-book, Borka, John Burningham is still entrancing with this story of a boy's first magical bed. Chronicling the nocturnal adventures of Georgie, this book is like stepping into a dream and encountering fairies, treasure chests and playful dolphins. An ideal showcase for what Burningham does best: blending domestic detail with expressionistic emotion and scale.

Tabby the Wild Cat by Dana Kubick (Piccadilly Press, £9.99) How we see ourselves is explored as a small cat leaps and roars like a big, brave, wild tiger. Kubick juxtaposed domestic and jungle landscapes: when Tabby lies on an armchair, he's sunning himself in the Savannah; when he climbs onto the garden shed, he's watching over his kingdom. Full of the sort of engrossing visual trickery that children love.

Bad News, I'm in Charge! by Bruce Ingman (Walker, £10.99) Children will find this story of how a little boy ends up ruling the world very gratifying. Danny's mum used to nag him to tidy up! Tuck his shirt in! And now, thanks to his Thing (a metal detector) which helped him find some treasure, he's in charge. Chips with everything! It's official! Enjoyable as much for the original, upbeat design as the thrilling possibilities of the story.

Giddy Goat by Jamie Rix, illustrated by Lynne Chapman (Orchard, £10.99) Few stories about overcoming fears can be as entertaining as this story of Giddy the goat. Giddy is terrified of heights and his head spins every time he looks down from his peak. But when Giddy hears the baas of a lost lamb, he feels brave and fearless. From the funny but strong pictures, to the swooping perspectives, this is a memorable story, with a kind heart.

Amazing Machines by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Ant Parker (Kingfisher, £8.99) This ought to induce heavy-breathed absorption in all machine-mad toddlers. Fresh, bright pictures, jolly, rhyming, read-aloud verse and a collection of four high-impact machines: diggers, trains, rockets, fire engines to drool over. Best of all, there's no flips to flap and rip off.

A Secret in the Garden: a hide-and-seek book by James Mayhew (Chicken House, £10.99) Concealed behind a high brick wall lies a dream-like magical garden and a beautiful hide-and-seek story inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic tale. The cut-out peepholes will keep smaller readers amused while others can enjoy the quiet, strange recesses of the enchanted garden itself: the meandering colours, lacy flowers, summer sunlight and the pleasure in being taken to such a lovely place.

The Gingerbread Man retold by Hugh Lupton, illustrated by Diana Mayo (Barefoot, £9.99) An elegant, modern take on this classic folk tale that combines trainers and stripy T-shirts with a story charged with old-fashioned magic. As you would expect from the co-founder of the Company of Storytellers, this is a compelling read, and there are additional treats: the fox to spot on every page, and a gingerbread recipe. But what really stands out is the beautifully weird poetry of the pictures.

Ben's Magic Telescope by Brian Patten, illustrated by Peter and Sian Bailey (Puffin, £5.99) A story that turns ordinary, unpretentious things into poetry – the bruises on an apple, people's reflections in the pots and pans of a market stall. Glimpsed through the magic telescope from his inner-city high rise, even the old man at the allotment seems, to Ben, new and wonderful. This will beguile children with its fresh perspectives and flair for emotion and panorama.

Zoom, Zoom, Poppy Cat by Lara Jones (Macmillan, £3.99) If books seem daunting to your tiny child, then this story is a good place to start because it's a noisy, simple, small square of a thing. Turn the pages and watch Poppy Cat and friends zooming, whizzing, running and jumping in the park. When they've finally have enough, there are three more in the series.

Up in Heaven by Emma Chichester Clark (Andersen, £9.99) First it was Mog the cat and now it's Arthur the dog who is tired, dead tired, but the departure of a dearly loved pet is one of those things children have to work through (several times, if they like hamsters). Here is the ideal book to soothe emotions. The colours themselves introduce a good mood, as do the vivacious images of dog heaven which Arthur sends to bereaved little Daisy to cheer her up. Opens a door on a difficult subject with elegant tenderness.

The Rooftop Rocket Party by Roland Chambers (Andersen, £9.99) For escapist pleasure, children will love flying with little Finn in his rooftop rocket to have tea with the Man in the Moon. Doctor Gass says the moon is made of rocks, not cheese, and that there is certainly no man, but Finn discovers otherwise after meeting Night Thing. It's about flights of fancy and the tyranny of reason; about pictures that are friendly and strange, and a story that's brilliant, original and moving.