A rattle with a bell rather than beads, which is a better sound for a young baby and a considerably better one for the adult in the room.

It is soft, rounded and gentle rather than sharp and plasticky, and it rewards the smallest movement. That immediate response is what teaches a baby that their own actions produce results in the world.

The body is shaped to be gripped and lifted by a hand that is still learning how, and it carries different fabrics, ribbons and tags for fingertips to find.

Joe is the magician of the gang, working spells out of his grandfather Walter's old books.

Machine washable at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. 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 BELL, NOT A CLATTER - The sound is soft and rounded rather than sharp, which suits a young baby's hearing and is considerably easier to live with in a small flat.

SHAPED TO BE HELD - Built so a baby can get a hand around it and lift it, so shaking succeeds early rather than becoming an exercise in frustration.

JOE THE DRAGON TO GET TO KNOW - Joe is the magician of the gang, working spells out of his grandfather Walter's old books.

TEXTURES AND TAGS - Different fabrics, ribbons and labels across the body. Babies reliably go for the tags first, and Lilliputiens puts them there deliberately.

SOFT, LIGHT AND WASHABLE - Entirely fabric with no hard parts, safe to be mouthed and dropped. Machine washable at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. Tested to EN71 and ASTM standards and screened for AZO dyes, cadmium and phthalates.

0 months and above (suitable from birth)

Outer 100% polyester, inner 100% recycled polyester; integrated bell

JOE BELL RATTLE