Five famous books are the nation’s all-time favorite children’s stories

The Enid Blyton series took by storm with JK Rowling’s debut, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – coming in at number 17 on the top 50 list

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Children celebrating World Book Day try food inspired by books

The Five is well known as the nation’s all-time favorite children’s book series.

First published in 1942, 21 novels follows four adventurous children, siblings Julian, Dick and Anne, cousin Georgina, and her dog Timmy.

The popular series topped the poll of favorite childhood novels, beating out the likes of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – which came in at 17th place.

CS Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory finished the top three.

Also earning a spot in the top 10 are Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and the Mr. Men and Little Miss.

While The Railway Children, The Hungry Caterpillar and The Wind in the Willows also feature in the top 50.

Research commissioned by Camden Market – ahead of World Book Day – will see food stalls at Lock, Stables, Buck Street and Hawley Wharf markets re-enact some of the most memorable treats from missing books pediatric.

These will include Bruce Bogtrotter’s chocolate cake from Matilda, Turkish Delight and Hot Chocolate from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and BFG’s Frobscottle-inspired bubble tea.

The study of 2,000 adults also found that more than half (52%) loved these stories because they reminded them of their own childhood, while a quarter said they taught valuable lessons.

The average adult says they’ve read about a third of these popular titles – but 46% wish they’d read more of these memorable stories at a young age.

Maggie Milosavljevic, commercial director at LabTech, said: “It was great to see so many iconic childhood books and characters come into the study.

“We have all had our own experiences of immersing ourselves in these stories when we were young and imagining ourselves in the shoes of some of our favorite characters.

“We hope to bring some of the magic of these legendary stories to life during World Book Day weekend at Camden Market.”

Research also shows that, among parents, 87% have encouraged their children to read their favorite stories from their childhood.

In fact, 66% have read their favorite children’s novels to their children, an average of 13 times.

And nearly seven out of ten have – or intend to – give hard copies of their favorite stories to their children and grandchildren.

More than half of the parents polled believe it is important for their children to read a lot.

It also appears 62% of adults have even re-read a book loved by children in adulthood and have read a single storybook from their youth at most six times.

The study also revealed favorite characters in these unforgettable stories, with the marmalade-loving Paddington Bear appearing at the top.

Following closely behind him were Beatrix Potter’s naughty Peter rabbit and AA Milne’s “silly old bear,” Winnie the Pooh.

Some of Roald Dahl’s great character creations feature in the top 20, including Willy Wonka, Matilda, BFG and Charlie Bucket.

And the “Wonka bar” has been named the most iconic fable of childhood stories – beat Butterbeer in Harry Potter and the Snozzcumbers from the BFG.

As a result, half of the respondents agreed Roald Dahl was the best children’s author – although Enid Blyton came in second as their favorite childhood novel author.

Maggie Milosavljevic added: “You can always tell a good book, because it can take you to faraway imaginary lands that you feel like you’ve actually been to.

“We created a number of fictional foods to whet people’s appetites this World Book Day, to help bring the magic of storytelling to life.

“People can head to the markets to try a variety of delicious concoctions, such as the Hungry Caterpillar-inspired ice cream and colorful Cheshire Cat pancakes.

“There will also be readings by acclaimed authors Nicholas Allen, Holly Webb and Konnie Huq, and a host of entertainment.”

For more information on World Book Day activities and to book tickets to the March 5-6 event, visit Camden Market Website.

TOP 50 CHILDREN’S BOOK:

1. Famous Fives
2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
4. Winnie The Pooh
5. Wind inside the willow trees
6. The Hungry Caterpillar
7. The book of the forest
8. Book Mr. Men and Little Miss
9. Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland
10. Children abandoned on the street
11. The Story of the Rabbit Peter
12. Secret garden
13. Black beauty
14. BFG
15. Peter Pan
16. Treasure Island
17. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’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. Gruffalo
24. James and the giant peach
25. Little woman
26. The tiger came to drink tea
27. Hobbits
28. Hansel and Gretel
29. The Magical Witch of Oz
30. We are hunting bears
31. Great fox
32. The cat in the hat
33. The Twits
34. Charlotte’s net
35. The witches
36. Spotted the dog
37. Room On The Broom
38. Cripple
39. The golden compass
40. Where are the wild things?
41. The Story of Tracy Beaker
42. Each peach and plum
43. A squash and a squeeze
44. Gangsta Granny
45. little Prince
46. Billionaire boy
47. Girls in love
48. The mother is illustrated
49. Paper dolls
50. Moominland winter

TOP 20 CHILDREN STORY CHARACTERS:

1. Paddington Bear
2. Peter Rabbit
3. Winnie The Pooh
4. Harry Potter
5. Willy Wonka
6. Thomas tank engine
7. Matilda
8. Gruffalo
9. The Hungry Caterpillar
10. Alice (Alice in Wonderland)
11. BFG
12. Peter Pan
13. Threats
14. Charlie Bucket
15. Tiger (Tiger came to drink tea)
16. Spot (dog)
17. The cat in the hat
18. Mr. Toad (Wind in the willow forest)
19. Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz)
20. Electric shock