Looking for useful, but inexpensive presents to fill my children's stockings for Christmas is always a bit of a challenge! Whilst shopping in my local outdoors store I came across a little wind up torch in the shape of a penguin and decided that this was something my 9 year old son would appreciate. We already have a wind up ladybird torch that I now keep in my bag, so this looked like a good addition!

The best thing about this little torch is that it doesn't need batteries. The bright LED lights are operated by squeezing the penguin's flipper up and down. The LED lights should last for about 100,000 hours. The torch is made of tough plastic and is black and yellow. There is a useful material strap to enable the torch to be carried. The torch is about 12 cm tall .making it a good size to carry in a pocket or bag.

My son doesn't like the dark and likes to stand this torch on his bedside table. It is then handy should he wish to go to the loo in the night. I was really surprised at just how bright the LED light is! It is as bright as a more expensive battery torch I have and it looks much cuter too!

I can't remember exactly how much I paid for this torch but think it was around £5.It is available from several websites including Amazon, where it is on sale for £6.50.

Overall I think this is an excellent little torch. My son finds it very easy to squeeze the flipper to activate the light. However a younger child may find this a bit difficult to operate. The torch is a good size to fit into a small hand and the strap means it can be secured onto a wrist to prevent it from being dropped. It is well made and has already withstood falling from my son's bedside table with no ill effects!