Cars, trucks, diggers, trains and everything else with wheels, broken down into steps a child can actually follow. Each vehicle gets simple instructions, then space right there on the page to copy it and color it in, so there is no gap between learning and doing.

The size is the clever part. Usborne Minis are pocket paperbacks built for journeys, waiting rooms, rainy afternoons and goodie bags, which is exactly where a child runs out of things to do. It slips into a coat pocket or a glovebox and comes out when it is needed.

Written by Simon Tudhope with illustrations by Krysia Ellis. Suggested for ages six and up, and small enough that most people buy three.

Also on the shelf here: two more Usborne Minis, Travel Pencil & Paper Games and Doodling Dinosaurs.