With the Easter holidays looming at the end of the month, families budgets tight, and the weather unpredictable: one question on the lips of parents is what can we do on a rainy day at home?

Books could be the answer, and if you can brave the outdoors for a library trip, then all the better - it's free!

The children's book market is huge and there are so many titles to choose from, jigsaw books, interactive ones, noisy books and craft books to name but a few. There is bound to be something to please every little boy and girl and with World Book Day coming up, you can use your vouchers and/or visit a book fair and stock up.

Here are a few of my favorites:

The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson - encourages children to recognise the rhythm and rhyme of words

Usborne Easter Things to Make and Do - Fiona Watt

Hugless Douglas and the Big Sleep - David Melling

Time indoors doesn't have to be boring or taken up with electrical devices. Why not do a jigsaw book together, make something out of a baking or craft book, or simply enjoy reading the book together. You could re-enact a scene from your child's favorite book, dress up like your favorite characters or draw a picture of them for your wall.

The only limit to books is your imagination, and we all know a child's imagination is endless. Next time it's a rainy day, make the most of being indoors with your child and their favorite book.

Books are an essential part of a child's life. They help them learn to read, to communicate, to learn about the world, and a good book can feed a child's imagination to no end. An early reader is often a reader for life, so give your child a head start and open a book.