If you ever see any Ant and Bee books by Angela Banner, pounce on them. Everyone adores them.

Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline books are tremendous favourites.

Anything written or illustrated by Shirley Hughes is madly popular with young people. Especially Dogger, and all the Lucy and Tom stories, Chips and Jessie, Alfie Gets in First.

If you see anything by someone called Arnold Lobel, pounce on that. All the books with Frog and Toad in the title are especial favourites, and there's a small masterpiece called Owl at Home that no one should miss.

Everyone loves John Burningham's picture books. Keep your eyes peeled especially for Mr Gumpy's Outing, and Come away from the water, Shirley. While we're on wonderful picture books, keep the name Helen Oxenbury in mind. You'll be lucky to find anything of hers, but if you do, snap it up at once.

Remember all those weirdly wonderful Dr Seuss books? If you find Hop on Pop, or The Cat in the Hat, or any of the ones you loved, buy them for someone else or to spoil youself when you feel like an easy read.

Russell Hoban wrote several books that starred Frances the little badger. Bread and Jam for Frances, Bedtime for Frances and others. If you see these, don't let them escape. Someone you know will adore them.

If you find any Little Bear books, by Minarik, you'll be lucky. They were my own children's absolute favourites when they were learning to read.

No one should live in a house without at least three collections of Nursery Rhymes. And everyone needs the Fairy Tales. You can have lots of them in one big book, or find all of them separately. Sometimes you like the pictures and not the way the story's told, sometimes you like the story but not the pictures. Keep browsing! Sooner or later you'll find the perfect version. And if Trina Schart Hyman illustrated it, hang on to it for ever.

Margaret Mahy wrote some fabulous picture books. Keep your eyes peeled for The Witch in the Cherry Tree.

Anyone you know like football? Look out for Stanley Bagshaw books by Bob Wilson.

Lots of people love a lot of the old Ladybird Books. And while we're on old-fashioned reads, even if you don't fancy them, there will be people out there pouncing on Enid Blyton's Noddy books. And her Amelia Jane books. So don't let anyone put you off by saying that they're old-fashioned. If you like them, enjoy them.

And, while you're looking for this lot, if you see anything you fancy, get it. After all, if you hate it, you can always bring it back next time you visit.