The Little Book of Scones by Liam D’Arcy and Grace Hall – Published by Square Peg (part of Random House) 2013

With recipes for sweet and savoury scones, traditional scones and those with a modern twist, this book could be called “fun with scones”. Beginning with a description of the writers’ relationships (with each other and with scones), it moves on to what you need to get started – a mixing bowl, a pinny, music….then outlines everything from serving to storage. There are tips about what music goes best with each scone (Chocolatey Tiffin Bites and Fred Astaire, anyone?), suggestions for setting up a Snack Club, with space for notes, and, my favourite, Becka’s delightful illustrations.

To paraphrase the authors’ words “don your pinny, turn up the music and join the revolution”…start baking scones. A sweet little book, ideal as a gift for yourself or others. After all, winter weather passes faster with an afternoon tea inside you!