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Contrary to the views of a correspondent on an earlier blog, much of what happens at the Edinburgh Fringe does so without the help of the public purse.

That's what is interesting about the Fringe - it is a rare example of full-blown capitalism in the creative sector.

Most companies will have to shell out to get here, find and pay for their own accomodation and do their own marketing.

The bottom line is, if they don't sell tickets, they don't make money.

And nowhere is that more competitive than in the section of the programme devoted to children's shows, which has expanded dramatically in recent years.

Their audience members may be little - but this is a sophisticated market, well used to slick stage shows and recognisable brand names.

And with parents who need to be persuaded to part with their cash.

It is further complicated by the timing of the Fringe.

Many Scottish schools return next week - a mere week into the three-week run most shows will anticipate.

That's before you consider the issues of timing, of pushchair accessible venues, of pushchair parking, and a million other details for tinies.

But top of the kids' shows I've roadtested with my five-year-old son is Stick Man, a new stage show of the Julia Donaldson verse book of the same name.

The Scotland-based writer apparently gave the company the pick of her back catalogue after seeing their previous production of her work.

The hilarious adventures of a stick, which gets picked up, tossed, lost, eaten by a dog and thrown on a fire - shouldn't spin out into an hour-long musical show but it does.

And it's fantastically engaging, for a whole range of ages, from wee tinies up to six and seven year olds.

Word has clearly got round too, because it's virtually a full house in the Udderbelly, on a damp Monday morning.

Over at C Plaza, my son insists on a ticket to see The Railway Children - a new production of an old classic.

It's a faithful and old-fashioned version of the heartwarming tale, with a large and enthusiastic cast.

It nicely captures the mood of the original, including that tear-jerking ending on the station platform (I'm sure I wasn't the only one who needed a moment to compose myself at the end!)

The company also provides an informal theatre school for local kids, by casting the part of Jim, the injured relay runner, from the Royal Mile most mornings.

Over at Assembly, Zambezi Express is not a kids' show exactly, but a real feelgood one for the whole family.

A timely tale of a young African boy who wants to become a professional footballer, it's packed with high ocatane song and dance numbers and a level of energetic enthusiasm unparalleled on the Fringe so far.

An express worth catching.