Classics outdo modern favourites in Amazon’s first-ever best-of children’s books list
Roald Dahl unveiled as the most loved author among the UK’s kids
Tens of thousands of votes received from children across the country
Musician and children’s author Tom Fletcher reads for children at a Berkshire primary school
London, 12th November 2015—Amazon.co.uk today reveals the UK’s favourite children’s books with the launch of Kids Love Books—a list of the top 100 titles voted for by tens of thousands of kids across the country. The list reveals a love of classics over modern favourites, with Roald Dahl voted the number one children’s author among the nation’s kids.
Kids Love Books was designed to encourage children to read, discuss and vote for their favourite books. The nationwide vote, which involved thousands of primary schools across the country, revealed Roald Dahl to be the nation’s favourite children’s author with three books in the top 10. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler was revealed to be the number one book among the nation’s kids, with JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in second place and Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney in third.
The nation’s young readers also showed their fondness for timeless classics, with Roald Dahl’s Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Twits at numbers five, six and eight respectively.
The Kids Love Books top 10 children’s books are:
- The Gruffalo—Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone—JK Rowling
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid—Jeff Kinney
- The Story of Tracey Beaker—Jacqueline Wilson
- Matilda—Roald Dahl
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—Roald Dahl
- Stickman—Julia Donaldson
- The Twits—Roald Dahl
- Tom Gates—Liz Pichon
- Horrid Henry—Francesca Simon
“Kids Love Books is all about getting children talking about books and helping them find great books to read,” said Dan Mucha, Director of Books, Amazon.co.uk. “We’ve been thrilled with the response from schools, parents and children who took part, and it’s fantastic to see kids are still so inspired by the classics.”
Amazon invited schools and parents up and down the country to host discussions about books and vote for their favourites, providing suggested national curriculum-based plans to help guide each session. Votes were then submitted via a Kids Love Books section on the Amazon.co.uk website, with schools that participated entered into a draw to win a £5,000 Amazon.co.uk Gift Card for its library and 30 Kindle e-readers to use in classrooms. Two runner-up schools also received a £2,000 Amazon.co.uk Gift Card they can use to buy books.
“This initiative has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on pupils’ motivation to discover new books and share thoughts on their favourite tales, both at home and at school,” said Ruth Huckle, head teacher at Cranbourne Primary School in Berkshire, winner of Amazon’s Kids Love Books prize draw. “With so many entertainment options for children today, initiatives like this are immensely helpful in encouraging children to read. We’re delighted to have taken part and feel incredibly lucky to have added more books and Kindle e-readers to our library; which will help foster a love of reading among our pupils for many years to come.”
The two runner-up prizes were won by Hope House School in Barnsley, Yorkshire, and Cheadle Primary School in Cheshire.
As well as receiving a £5,000 Amazon.co.uk Gift Card and 30 Kindle e-readers, Cranbourne Primary also received a visit from musician and children’s author Tom Fletcher, whose own book, co-authored with bandmate Dougie Poynter, was voted into the top 100. Tom read to children at the school, delighting them by bringing the lead character from The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet! along with him.
“It's awesome to have our book voted into the Kids Love Books top 100, especially as the list has been voted for by children, thanks kids!” said Tom. “I loved reading when I was a kid, and reading to my son is always a highlight of our day and by far one of my favourite things to do as a father. Any project that encourages kids to read is important, and when I heard about Kids Love Books I was really keen to get involved.”
The full Kids Love Books Top 100 is available at www.amazon.co.uk/kidslovebooks.
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Notes to Editors
Votes were submitted by children aged 11 and under.
Supporting author quotes available for inclusion:
“I am absolutely delighted that The Gruffalo has been chosen as Amazon’s Kids Love Books Number 1 favourite storybook - especially because it was the children themselves who voted. It's great that so many young people have been involved, and I'm sure the Gruffalo himself would be just as happy as Axel and I are.” Julia Donaldson, co-author of The Gruffalo
“I'm thrilled that The Story of Tracy Beaker has been voted for in the Kids Love Books Top 100. Next year Tracy Beaker will celebrate her 25th anniversary so the fact that children today are still including this in a list of their favourite books makes this very special to me.” Dame Jacqueline Wilson, author of the Tracy Beaker series
“I am thrilled to be involved with this initiative that encourages children to read.” Francesca Simon, author of Horrid Henry
“I'm so excited that Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been voted as one of Amazon's top 100 favourite books of all time. It's made extra special because it's kids who are doing the voting!” Jeff Kinney, author Diary of a Wimpy Kid
“I'm thrilled so many people enjoy reading about Sid. A big thank you to all who voted for him. Keep reading everyone!” Inga Moore, author of Six Dinner Sid
“I’m delighted that Dear Zoo has been chosen for inclusion in the 100 titles, especially as they have been chosen by children – that’s a real accolade! I have to say that there were not many children’s books at home when I was young and my real introduction started at school. I can’t remember any particular favourite title, but my primary school years were accompanied by the various series of books by Enid Blyton- The Famous Five, The Secret Seven Adventure series, which I enjoyed enormously.” Rod Campbell, author of Dear Zoo
“I'm honoured and chuffed that Stitch Head has been voted for in the Kids Love Books Top 100. It's made my day, week, month and dinner. And the fact that it's voted for by children makes it at least a million times more special. Thanks so much to everyone who voted.” Guy Bass, author of Stich Head
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