Survey reveals 50 books that every child should read by 16

Roald Dahl is still king of children's literature according to a survey for World Book Day

Favourite children's book characters include Where's Wally and The Gruffalo Photo: Matt Alexander/PA Wire

By Kat Brown

The Telegraph -  02 Mar 2015

Roald Dahl is the author that people would most like their children to read, according to a new survey to find 50 books that children should read by the time they are 16.

A survey of 2,000 readers by Sainsbury's to celebrate World Book Day also found that nostalgia reigns supreme, with six in ten parents choosing to read stories to their children that their own parents once read to them.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the list's most-recommended book, and Dahl its most popular author.
He has four more books in the top 50: James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, Matilda and The Twits.

Old favourites such as Winnie The Pooh and the Narnia series made a strong showing, although this may be at odds with reality. A recent report showed a "marked downturn" in children's reading levels once they reach secondary school, with children neglecting older classics in favour of "easier" choices.

Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of parents said bedtime reading is one of the most important bonding experiences with their child, with 75 per cent putting on voices to bring their children's favourite characters to life.

Paddington Bear's recent exploits in the cinema helped him top a list of 20 best-loved children's book characters which also featured Harry Potter, Where's Wally and The Gruffalo.

50 books that every child should read by 16

1-10

1. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
2. Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – CS Lewis
4. Winnie The Pooh – AA Milne
5. Black Beauty – Anna Sewell
6. James and The Giant Peach – Roald Dahl
7. The BFG – Roald Dahl
8. A Bear Called Paddington – Michael Bond
9. Treasure Island – Robert Louis Stevenson
10. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain
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