'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Saturday 9 August 2014

National Bookshop Day 2014 - Australia's 50 Favourite Kids' Books


An initiative of the Australian Booksellers Association to support the role of bookshops and bookselling in the community, National Bookshop Day will be celebrated around Australia today. Participating bookshops are hosting a variety of events including author talks, children’s activities and discussion groups, all aiming to promote local bookshops and encouraging readers of all ages to explore the shelves and discover new authors and books.

As part of 2014’s National Bookshop Day celebrations the ABA polled Australians, asking them to vote for their favourite children’s book. Thousands of votes have been collated with results polled from customers of diverse bookshops including chains, independents, and online websites. It is interesting to note that over 40% of the top ten is taken up by Australian authors and 50% of the titles are picture books

We have listed the results for the National Bookshop Day 2014 list of Australia’s 50 Favourite Kids’ Books below. Is your favourite kids’ or YA title included?
  1. Possum Magic – Mem Fox and Julie Vivas
  2. Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling
  3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle (KBR review)
  4. The Fault In Our Stars – John Green (KBR review)
  5. Where Is The Green Sheep? – Mem Fox and Judy Horacek (KBR review)
  6. The 39-Storey Treehouse – Andy Griffiths (KBR review)
  7. The Magic Faraway Tree – Enid Blyton
  8. Where The Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak (KBR review)
  9. Diary Of A Wombat – Jackie French and Bruce Whatley (KBR review)
  10. The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
  11. Matilda - Roald Dahl (KBR review)
  12. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak (KBR review)
  13. Tomorrow When The War Began – John Marsden
  14. Anne Of Green Gables – L.M. Montgomery
  15. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl (KBR review)
  16. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien
  17. The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
  18. Wonder – R.J. Palacio (KBR review)
  19. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – J.K. Rowling
  20. Are We There Yet? – Alison Lester (KBR review)
  21. The BFG – Roald Dahl (KBR review)
  22. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins (KBR review)
  23. We’re Going On A Bear Hunt – Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
  24. Animalia – Graeme Base (KBR review)
  25. Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White (KBR review)
  26. Divergent – Veronica Roth
  27. The Flying Orchestra – Clare McFadden (KBR review)
  28. The Magic Pudding – Norman Lindsay
  29. Dear Zoo – Rod Campbell
  30. Famous Five Series – Enid Blyton
  31. Guess How Much I Love You – Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram (KBR review)
  32. Hairy Maclary From Donaldson’s Dairy – Lynley Dodd (KBR review)
  33. Looking for Alibrandi – Melina Marchetta
  34. Clementine Rose and the Surprise Visitor – Jacqueline Harvey
  35. Looking For Alaska – John Green
  36. Playing Beatie Bow – Ruth Park
  37. The Knife Of Never Letting Go – Patrick Ness
  38. The Witches – Roald Dahl
  39. Where’s Spot? – Eric Hill
  40. Winnie The Pooh – A.A. Milne
  41. Stew A Cockatoo – Ruthie May and Leigh Hobbs (KBR review)
  42. Edward The Emu – Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement
  43. Magic Beach – Alison Lester (KBR review)
  44. Giraffes Can’t Dance – Giles Andreae and Gay Parker-Rees (KBR review)
  45. Green Eggs And Ham – Dr Seuss (KBR review)
  46. Storm Boy – Colin Thiele
  47. Ten Little Fingers And Ten Little Toes – Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury
  48. The Cat In The Hat – Dr Seuss (KBR review)
  49. The Lorax – Dr Seuss (KBR review)
  50. The Messenger – Markus Zusak