SOMETIMES you wish that so many books aimed at little girls weren't about things like cupcakes and fairies -- no wonder there are so few female engineers, scientists and captains of industry if this is all they're supposed to be interested in, you can't help thinking. Still, despite its sugar-and-spice-and-all-things-nice girliness, this latest book in the Faries of Blossom Bakery series carries a more serious message about doing right by your friends and not keeping secrets. After your daughters have had their fill of pretty frocks and sparkly magic, there's also a recipe in the back to keep them occupied a bit longer -- that is, if they're not outside climbing trees.

Cookie and the Secret Sleepover by Mandy Archer and Kirsteen Harris-Jones

Published by Random House, £5.99