By Adam Hargreaves

Puffin Books, out now

The final four pre-Jodie Whittaker incarnations of the Roger Hargreaves/ Doctor Who mash-ups arrive as another colourful collection of cheeky, easy-to-follow stories following the same Mr. Men format established in the 1970s.

As such, each book is just the right length to be read as a bedtime story, to help a young reader master basic English, or just give a nostalgic glow to the adult reader who feels they have no need to justify a reason.

Chronologically, Dr. Third is first, a slightly lighter purple version of Mr. Uppity – they both have a monocle, though this Jon Pertwee version is resplendent in a cape and sporting bouffant grey hair. Not content in just featuring one companion, we get Liz Shaw and Jo Grant, and Mike Yates and Bessie, as well as a classic monster that makes its Hargreaves-verse debut.

Peter Davison’s preppy Dr. Fifth is immediately recognisable in his cricket hat and shoes, and what fun having Nyssa, Adric and Tegan quarrelling in the TARDIS, the design of the latter two being a joy. But who is the poorly-disguised villain causing chaos? Some things never change.

I have no idea what Colin Baker will make of Dr. Sixth, suffice to say that the Harpo Marx wig is a standout, as is a large bow and colourful spats. I have no idea why Peri is essentially a triangle with boots on, but again there’s some good, mild peril with a recurring villain.

Finally, David Tennant’s Dr. Tenth joins the regular series, having already featured in the hardback Christmas special. An olive Mr. Rush with spiky hair, 3D glasses and Converse trainers, he’s missing a companion, which I guess places this in his final year, though he does run into a recurring Third Doctor monster.

Verdict: The greatest joy in reading these books is picking up the little references and observations that only a true Doctor Who fan would appreciate. Hopefully a Dr. Thirteenth volume is on the cards for Christmas, but this is already a lovingly-created collection of the most unlikely of fusions. 9/10

Nick Joy