The UK Children's Laureates have compiled a list of best books for children for UK book seller Waterstones. The press is making much ado over the fact that the list does not contain any of the Harry Potter novels written by author J.K. Rowling, however as the BBC points out that just five of the 35 books on the list came out in the past 20 years. "Sarah Clarke, of list organiser Waterstone's, said: "I'm sure it will
be a surprise to many that the list does not include more recent
bestsellers like JK Rowling's Harry Potter. But it's great to see the laureates choosing some timeless greats like
The Railway Children and Just So Stories and introducing them to a new
generation of readers - that's what the laureates are." Some of the books on the list include classics like Treasure Island, Oliver Twist, Little Women, Mary Poppins and more. You can read the list of books selected by Quentin Blake, Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Rosen here via this link.
I think Harry Potter will eventually earn a place on that list. Since authors are immortal because of their literary creations, time (in literature’s point of view) is much slower … still wish the books were there because they do deserve a spot!
The Harry Potter books are of course all our favourites but I guess the point is that just about everyone already knows about Harry Potter. These lists give an opportunity for recommending other books, there is quite a wide age range covered too and these are the personal choices of these people. I know that lists like this often inspire people to read books that they may not have thought of reading before. I am a library assistant and deal with stock promotion as well and during the BBC Big Read promotion a few years ago I kept a bookstand filled with titles in the top 100 and they just walked off the shelves. I also created a children’s list from these books and this proved popular too. Anything that broadens people’s reading can only be good.
That’s weird. But Harry Potter isn’t really a children’s book. But you would still think it would be on that list…especially considering the list was compiled in the UK. What’s the deal? They atleast put Sorcerer’s Stone on there.
In the UK, Jo called the first book, “HP ……Philosopher’s Stone”. She has long said that one of her regrets is giving into the US publisher’s demands to call it the rather silly "Sorcerer’s Stone. "
Having said that- the US books look beautiful compared to the UK editions which look cheap by comparison.
Well – everyone has heard of Harry Potter – but I’ll bet there are some kids (and parents, even) who have never heard of some of the books that are on the list. HP will get read anyway, so I’m glad the classics are on there to remind parents that they should be read as well.
As much as a pity it is that Harry Potter is not listed, I think it is safe to say that within a few decades this particular series will join those many other fabulous works of literature.
"What -- the -- [i]devil[/i] -- are -- you -- doing?" said Uncle Vernon through gritted teeth, his face horribly close to Harry's. "You've just ruined the punch line of my Japanese golfer joke.... One more sound and you'll wish you'd never been born, boy!
Harry Potter not on there