The Bear's Water Picnic ¦ The White Cat

Two welcome paperbacks issues of picture books from the seventies. When the pig, the squirrel, the hedgehog and the hen all set out for a picnic, they're irritated by the frogs who annoy them. But, in the end, these same frogs save the day. As in Mr Gumpy's Outing, the young enjoy the cumulative nature of the tale, and the way in which a clever author makes the unexpected happen. Blake's pictures are at their vintage best. Each creature is cleverly characterised and the illustrations give the tale its flow.

Le Cain's stunning pictures complement his own retelling of the classic tale of the White Cat, the ingenious creature who wheedles her way into a King's favour. This is one of the tales with a handsome third son, who wins his riches by stealth. Le Cain's pictures show simultaneous events in an imaginative way. A splendid production.