From my perspective, what I love about these beautiful, play based products is their artwork. Djeco dream up and design all their original products from their HQ in Paris. Generally it takes a year from inception of the idea to the product being presented in a box.

Before entering the market the item undergoes a series of tests. Djeco first of all meet their own requirements, "which have always been very rigorous... but it must be in accordance with a number of safety standards that are absolutely draconian!” they say.

I've never seen such imaginative themes, tasteful colour hues, and inspiring illustrations. These are pieces that you would easily hang on your child's bedroom walls once completed, as there's no finer. There are themes that suit older children as well, which as any parent of an 8-12 year old would know, is a tall order. Consider the Stitch Cards, Witch, Owl and Cat. The subject is deliriously offbeat, and just a little dark, with a colour palette that is not screaming primary colours or run of the mill tones. The detail of the illustration close up is divine, with pretty patterned prints on clothes or drawn on feathers and hair. Even the beads are first class.

Djeco is truly a benchmark brand. If your child is artistic and a right side of the brain user, then this one needs to be seen to be believed. I'm in love.