Britain’s 50 Favourite Children’s Books

Oh, World Book Day! The annual parenting challenge that may rouse excitement in some and fearful dread in others. A day when Facebook slowly fills with pictures of cute children in fabulous costumes. (Team ‘fearful dread’ do not post, for obvious reasons).

As a book lover and parent, World Book Day feels like something I should relish, however I’ve always struggled with it. I find myself wanting to move beyond the obvious. I want to resist doing a Pinterest search of ideas. I always feel that there is something excellent that I can come up with, something only I have ever thought of. Of course, that is never going to happen. Someone has always thought of it, and if they haven’t, then the character is likely to be so obscure, no one would know who my kid was. The humiliation!

“Who are you, Holly?”

‘Why, I’m Diana Barry, Anne Shirley’s best friend!”

“Anne Shirley?”

*Tumbleweed

Back to tried and tested then! A study commissioned by Camden Market, who will be recreating some of the most memorable dishes from children’s books at stalls on 5^th and 6^th of March, (think Bruce Bogtrotter’s chocolate cake from Matilda, Turkish Delight from Narnia and the BFG’s bubble tea), has revealed the top 50 children’s books and top 20 characters. Polling 2,000 UK adults, the research found 52% adore these stories because they remind them of their own childhood. These lists can be seen below – parents: print this out for future years! Note: Anne Shirley, (of Green Gables of course, is not in the lists – see what I mean?).

Anyway, this all got me thinking about who I would dress up as if World Book Day was a grown-up party – and you could dress up as characters from grown-up books. Here is my list.

1. Bridget Jones: I would choose the outfit she wore to the tarts and vicars party which wasn’t. Cotton balls on the bottom and bunny ears? Sign me up.
2. Mrs Danvers from Rebecca: Miserable old suit once used for an interview in the late 90s. Bad shoes. Fierce hair, middle parted, low bun. No smiling. Easy.
3. Rachel Walsh from Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes – The New York Years: Dress as I would when I went out drinking in my 20s. Oh, the memories.
4. Daisy Jones (From Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid): A glorious combination of Stevie Nicks, Sienna Miller and Debbie Harry. No shoes.
5. Becky Bloomwood from Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series: Lots of shopping bags, real ones. Got to be authentic, right?
6. Anastasia Steele from 50 Shades of Grey: Facial expression like a scared Guinea Pig and bondage accessories. *Anyone know where you buy them?
7. Any character from a Jane Austen book: An old-fashioned nightdress, shower cap and look of weary desperation and solicitude.
8. Lisbeth Salander from Girl with a Dragon Tattoo: Black clothes, dragon tattoo, (drawn – I’m not that committed) and slept in eyeliner (no problem!).
9. Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat Pray Love: A costume mash up: Italy head (Gucci hat), India mid-section (Yoga clothes), Bali feet (flip flops).
10. Clarissa Dalloway (Mrs): I’m seeing Mrs D in a high neck, frou-frou blouse, long skirt, fabulous hat, and a bunch of flowers – from a decent florist, not the petrol station.

So, I’m sorted. Where’s the party?

You can visit Camden Market on 5^th and 6^th March to try their delicious concoctions, hear readings from famous authors Nicholas Allen, Holly Webb and Konnie Huq, plus a whole host of entertainment. See Camdenmarket.com for more details.

Cut out and keep guide to the Top 50 books and characters. You can find other ‘must-read’ book lists right here.

Top 50 best children’s books according to Brits:

1. The Famous Five series
2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
4. Winnie the Pooh
5. The Wind in the Willows
6. The Very Hungry Caterpillar
7. The Jungle Book
8. Mr. Men and Little Miss books
9. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
10. The Railway Children
11. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
12. The Secret Garden
13. Black Beauty
14. The BFG
15. Peter Pan
16. Treasure Island
17. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
18. Matilda
19. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
20. A Bear Called Paddington
21. Watership Down
22. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
23. The Gruffalo
24. James and the Giant Peach
25. Little Women
26. The Tiger who came to Tea
27. The Hobbit
28. Hansel and Gretel
29. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
30. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
31. Fantastic Mr. Fox
32. The Cat in the Hat
33. The Twits
34. Charlotte’s Web
35. The Witches
36. Spot the Dog
37. Room on the Broom
38. Stick Man
39. The Golden Compass
40. Where the Wild Things Are
41. The Story of Tracy Beaker
42. Each Peach, Pear, Plum
43. A Squash and a Squeeze
44. Gangsta Granny
45. The Little Prince
46. Billionaire Boy
47. Girls in Love
48. The Illustrated Mum
49. The Paper Dolls
50. Moominland Midwinter

Top 20 favourite children’s storybook characters according to Brits:

1. Paddington Bear
2. Peter Rabbit
3. Winnie the Pooh
4. Harry Potter
5. Willy Wonka
6. Thomas the Tank Engine
7. Matilda
8. The Gruffalo
9. The Hungry Caterpillar
10. Alice (Alice in Wonderland)
11. The BFG
12. Peter Pan
13. Dennis the Menace
14. Charlie Bucket
15. The Tiger (The Tiger who Came to Tea)
16. Spot (the dog)
17. The Cat in the Hat
18. Mr. Toad (Wind in the Willows)
19. Dorothy (Wizard of Oz)
20. Horrid Henry