It was International Dawn Chorus day on May 4, and the birds were up early to celebrate.

Oxfordshire illustrator Suzanne Barton will please adults and children alike with her story about Peep, a small bird who loves to sing.

One morning he wakes early to hear a beautiful song, and heads off in search of the source.

On the way he meets an owl, a frog and a mouse, but none of them can sing. Finally he finds a tree crammed with birds, and asks if he can join in. The birds tell him he can audition next morning. He practises all day, but oversleeps. Still determined to join in, he stays awake all day but then is too tired to sing next morning. As he leaves, he meets another bird — a nightingale, who, like Peep, prefers to sing at night.

The Dawn Chorus (Bloomsbury, £10.99) is a beautiful book with simple illustrations, and a heart-warming tale for young birdwatchers.

Another local picture book creator, Mini Grey, has excelled herself with her latest invention, Hermelin the Detective Mouse (Jonathan Cape, £11.99). It’s full of hilarious tiny details, which our sharp-eyed hero — and clever parents and children — can spot to solve the mysteries.

It’s a fantastic idea, and there could be more jokes to come, since the dénouement lays the foundation for a series.