A WAYNE IN A MANGER by Gervase Phinn (Penguin, £10): FORMER schools inspector Gervase Phinn has taken over from James Herriott and his series of Dales books have enchanted legions of fans with charming and heart-warming stories guaranteed to bring a smile to any face.

Nativity plays are always good for a laugh, as Phinn should know, having sat through so many, and this collection of anecdotes from these end of term dramas can't fail to fill you full of Christmas cheer. Where else would Mary tell Joseph: "I'm having a baby - oh, and it's not yours", or Baby Jesus pipe up: "My name is Tammy, are you my Mommy?" Forget the crackers and let Phinn entertain you.

THE DA VINCI COD by Chris Riddell (Walker Books, £5.99)

THE Da Vinci is just the bait to lure you into this wacky and wonderful collection of illustrations to unwritten books compiled by Observer author, illustrator and political cartoonist Riddell. Enter the world of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Assistant, sympathise with The Prisoner of Brenda or put yourself in the hands of The Satanic Nurses. As wickedly funny as it gets.

KING DONG by Edgar Rider Ragged (HarperCollins, £6.99)

Timed to coincide with Peter Jackson's Kong blockbuster, this spoof of the world's biggest and hairiest love story is full of wacky monkey business from the word go. Featuring the intrepid explorer Indian Bones, his gay best friend, fey Ray, the platinum blonde Ann Darling and, of course, the erotically super-charged ape himself, the story swings along faster than Tarzan on speed. You'll laugh till your loincloth splits as Dong goes where Kong never dared, defying Nazis, dinosaurs and even spaceships and even to climb that famous Hollywood sign in a climax that leaves no crudity unturned.

Published: 20/12/2005