It is good to see Maurice Sendak’s picture books reissued by Red Fox, all in paperback at pound;4.99.

Two early works for four- to six-year-olds have texts by other writers. The Moon Jumpers by Janice May Udry (pound;4.99) is a restful tale of children frolicking in a summer’s moonlit evening, while their weary parents look on. Mr Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow (pound;4.99) is an intelligent and amusing conversation between Mr Rabbit and a little girl as they search for the perfect birthday present for the girl’s mother. Sendak’s illustrations bring atmosphere and life to both texts.

Sendak has written and illustrated The Sign on Rosie’s Door (pound;4.99): four short stories about a group of children left to entertain themselves. Both stories and pictures are understated, but the whole is a delightful observation of the inexhaustible imagination of young children. The text is perfect for early readers to read alone.

Outside Over There (pound;5.99) is the third book in the Wild Things trilogy (In the Night Kitchen was the second). When Ida’s baby sister is captured by menacing-looking faceless goblins, she goes after them. The ending is happy, despite dark hints that all may not be well.

The illustrations are some of Sendak’s most sophisticated, making this book more suitable for an older age group (Years 1 and 2) than it first appears.

Fiona Lafferty is librarian at St Swithun’s junior school, Winchester