Some books sit on your bookshelf gathering dust. The Titch Hiker’s Guide has been in my house for two weeks and hasn’t even seen a bookshelf, the corners are bashed from being stuffed into bags, the pages are crumpled and the spine is a shadow of its former self after being left wide open in the kitchen (a hint from my partner that I should take the kids out at the weekend).

As well as all the usual up-to-date listings and ideas for ‘things to do’ with children aged 0-5 the book is colourfully illustrated by local kids from Bristol primary schools. This gave the book another function, keeping my 4-year-old entertained for an entire car journey. That single achievement makes it a worthy investment in my opinion but if you need convincing there’s a whole lot more.

Details of reading and storytelling sessions, art and craft venues, performing-arts classes, children’s theatre, sport and places of special interest will mean you will always have an answer to the question every parent dreads ‘What shall we do today?’

New to this eleventh edition are some short reviews and articles written by parents offering help and suport from early pregnancy onwards. This is a nice touch, giving the reader the personal recommendation that you might expect from a friend. The experience of post-natal yoga classes is a good example, ‘Parental yoga sessions are different to other yoga classes. They are genuinely run for mums and babies together and that means that feeding, changing a nappy, crying, and putting down baby for a sleep, are often part of the experience’.

The Titch Hikers’ Guide is unique to Bristol, independently published and produced by parents. It’s a unique formula that makes them special and has given them such longevity. Titch Hikers are 26 years young this year – and here’s to the next 26.

Mark Leverton

Titch Hikers’ Guide 11th Edition, Freedom Guides, £7.99 (ISBN 978-0-9534648-7-6)