Cesar the bear is fond of hugs, and this book is his bedtime round.

He goes off to say goodnight to Albert, Georges and Alice, gives his mum one last hug and settles into his hammock. It is a predictable sequence, which is the point: a repeated, familiar order of events is one of the more effective ways to help a small child settle.

The Cesar finger puppet slips onto your finger and moves through the pages with the story, so you are performing rather than reciting. The last page takes a photograph of your own child, so the book finishes with them going to sleep next to Cesar.

Fabric pages in polyester, cotton and faux fur. Lilliputiens is a Belgian brand, founded in 1995 and designed by a team largely made up of parents working alongside early-childhood specialists. Tested to EN71 and ASTM standards and screened for AZO dyes, cadmium and phthalates.

A FINGER PUPPET IN THE BOOK - Cesar the bear slips onto your finger and moves through the story, kissing each friend goodnight. The puppet is what turns reading into performing.

A BEDTIME ROUTINE IN BOOK FORM - Cesar says goodnight to Albert, Georges and Alice, gives his mum a last hug and climbs into his hammock. A predictable sequence is exactly what helps a small child wind down.

PUT YOUR CHILD IN THE STORY - The final page takes a photograph of your own child, so the book ends with them going to sleep alongside Cesar. Children respond to that far more than to a generic ending.

SOFT AND SAFE FROM EARLY ON - Fabric pages in polyester, cotton and faux fur, safe to be chewed and slept next to. Nothing rigid, nothing to tear.

A BIRTH AND CHRISTENING GIFT THAT LASTS - Personalised with a photograph, this becomes a keepsake rather than another book on the shelf. Tested to EN71 and ASTM standards and screened for AZO dyes, cadmium and phthalates.

3 months and above

Polyester, cotton and faux fur

CESAR HUG BOOK