Madame Pamplemousse and the Time-travelling Cafe, by Rupert Kingfisher - (Bloomsbury, £6.99).

PARIS is a city in crisis. The new government has plans to tear down all buildings of beauty and historical interest and replace them with modern monstrosities. Help is at hand though, from Madame Pamplemousse, her resourceful cat Camembert and their young friend Madeleine.

Using Monsieur Moutarde’s time travel machine, cunningly disguised as an espresso coffee maker, they travel back into time to collect various items to brew into a very special potion that will bring the city back to its senses. Will they succeed, or is Paris doomed to fall into a new dark age?

The second book from Rupert Kingfisher featuring Madame Pamplemousse is just as entertaining and engaging as the first. As with Incredible Edibles, the illustrations are provided by Sue Hellard Whilst the target age is between 9-12, there is something in the story that will appeal to all ages. Although the book is quite short, Rupert Kingfisher manages to cover a great deal of ground and leaves behind some images that will stimulate young imaginations. I hope that we haven’t heard the last from the Time Travelling Cafe.