Children's Book Day 2009

Today is Hans Christian Anderson’s birthday (http://hca.gilead.org.il/), the day chosen by the International Board on Books for Young People to inspire young readers and to promote good quality books for children the world over.

In honour of International Children's Book Day -(http://www.ibby.org/index.php?id=269)

I have compiled a 'top ten' of favourite reads from my childhood - books which have branded themselves onto my consciousness and in some ways influenced my writing style and imagination.

I would recommend everyone get their hands on at least one of these books. Enjoy!

1. Mrs Pepperpot series by Alf Proysen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs._Pepperpot

2. Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulliver's_Travels

3. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

http://www.online-literature.com/burnett/secretgarden

4. Watership Down by Richard Adams

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watership_Down

5. The Borrowers by Mary Norton

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Borrowers

6. Charlotte's Web by E.B White

http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/charlottesweb.html

7. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_the_Spy

8. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe

9. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_and_the_Giant_Peach

10. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Prince
(Oh, and don't forget Bree McCready and the Half Heart Locket by Hazel Allan - http://www.amazon.com/McCready-Half-heart-Locket-Hazel-Allan/dp/1905537115

In all good book shops August 11th 2009!)

Happy reading...