Heroes and Villains

To celebrate World Book Day (3 March 2016) “National Book Tokens” ran a poll to find the top 10 greatest heroes and most evil villains in children’s literature. Children and adults in the UK and Ireland took part in the poll and thousands of votes were cast. 

Top 10 Greatest Heroes

1. Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter Series)
2. Matilda Wormwood (Roald Dahl – Matilda)
3. Hermione Granger (J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter Series)
4. Bilbo Baggins (J.R.R. Tolkien – The Hobbit)
5. Lyra Belacqua (Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials Series)
6. Jo March (Louisa May Alcott – Little Women)
7. Katniss Everdeen (Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games Series)
8. Winnie-the-Pooh (A.A. Milne – Winnie-the-Pooh)
9. Anne Shirley (L.M. Montgomery - Anne of Green Gables)
10. Paddington Bear ( Michael Bond - A Bear Called Paddington)

Top 10 Most Evil Villains

1. Lord Voldemort (J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter Series)
2. Dolores Umbridge (J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter Series)
3. Cruella de Vil (Dodie Smith – The Hundred and One Dalmatians)
4. The White Witch (C.S. Lewis – The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe)
5. Miss Trunchbull (Roald Dahl – Matilda)
6. Bellatrix Lestrange (J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter Series)
7. Bill Sykes (Charles Dickens – Oliver Twist)
8. The Grand High Witch (Roald Dahl – The Witches)
9. Count Olaf (Lemony Snicket – A Series of Unfortunate Events)
10. Mrs Coulter (Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials Series)

This got me thinking about all the wonderful children’s books

I’ve enjoyed as a child and as an adult. My favourite book in primary school was “The Silver Sword” by Ian Serraillier. Set in Poland during World War 2 it tells the story of a heroic group of children who escape the Warsaw ghetto and make their way on foot to Switzerland in search of their parents and freedom. The anti-hero, Jan still remains one of my all time favourite characters.

As an adult I’ve shared books with many children during my years working in libraries. One of my favourites for Storytime is Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, so my number one hero comes from that, Little Red Riding Hood. When she comes up against the wolf at grandma’s house it doesn’t end well for Mr Wolf.

“The small girl smiles. One eyelid flickers.

She whips a pistol from her knickers

She aims it at the creature’s head

And bang bang bang, she shoots him dead”

The most evil villain for me as an animal lover would have to

be the infamous Cruella de Vil from “The Hundred and One Dalmatians”. I realise that’s something of a contradiction when my favourite hero has killed a wolf, but he was a big, bad wolf!

I ran a straw poll among library staff to compare our results with the national poll. Our most evil villain turned out to be Cruella de Vil (number 3 in the national results). However when it came to the greatest hero everyone voted for someone different, so no winner emerged. Does that mean there are more heroes than villains in children's literature I wonder?

Who would you vote for? Let me know by posting a comment below.

UK Library Chart Toppers

The latest Public Lending Right results are in, giving us a taste of what’s hot when it comes to books borrowed from public libraries. The results are based on a sample of UK libraries during the period 1 July 2014 – 30 June 2015.

Most borrowed author – James Patterson
(No surprises there) 
Most borrowed non-fiction author – Mary Berry 

(Bake Off effect?)
Most borrowed children’s author – Julia Donaldson

Most borrowed classic author – Roald Dahl

Most borrowed titles:
1. Personal – Lee Child
2. Never Go Back – Lee Child
3. Abbatoir Blues – Peter Robinson
4. The Silkworm – Robert Galbraith
5. Invisible – James Patterson
Clearly shows the popularity of the Crime / Thriller genre

Most borrowed children’s titles:
1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney
2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever – Jeff Kinney
3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw – Jeff Kinney
4. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates – Liz Pichon
5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days – Jeff Kinney
Wimpy Kid rules OK!

Most borrowed adult non-fiction title:
Save with Jamie: Shop Smart, Cook Clever, Waste Less – Jamie Oliver

Most borrowed biography:
There’s Something I’ve Been Dying to Tell You – Lynda Bellingham

Most borrowed poetry book:
You Made Me Late Again! – Pam Ayres

 To find out more click on the link PLR Chart toppers

Harry Potter Book Night 4 February 2016

Young witches, wizards and other magical characters gathered together in Torfaen Libraries to celebrate Harry Potter Book Night. 

Children in Blaenavon and Cwmbran libraries began the evening by being placed into their houses by the Sorting Hat, after which they made their own wands, created mythical monsters, and took

part in a magical treasure hunt.

Harrys and Hermiones abounded as children dressed as their favourite characters, and chatted about their favourite moments from the books. 


Harry Potter Book Night is now in its second year and as always it was a delight to see children so enthusiastic and excited about books and reading.


Blaenavon Library’s new home at the World Heritage Centre couldn’t have been a better venue for this event. The building was originally a school and with its Victorian style school room, made a fantastic Hogwarts.


Both events were very successful, and were part of hundreds taking place across the UK in this national promotion organised by Bloomsbury, publisher of the Harry Potter books.

National Libraries Day, 6 February 2016

Authors show their support for libraries.

In 1971 Sci Fi author Isaac Asimov wrote this letter in praise of libraries to the children of Troy, Michigan when their new public library opened its doors for the first time.

Why not write your own letter saying what reading and libraries mean to you at #Libraryletters

Today authors are still supporting the public library service. Award winning crime writer Ann Cleeves, author of the Vera and Shetland series of books is the National Libraries Day ambassador for 2016. Now in its fifth year, the annual celebration highlights the importance of libraries as vitally important public services which are loved by individuals and communities everywhere.


Ann says “Libraries matter. If we believe in equality of opportunity we must fight not just for the buildings but for the range of books inside and the skilled staff who can promote reading in all its forms. Not only do libraries encourage us to be more tolerant and better informed, they contribute enormously to the wealth of the nation. 

If you’re not a member join on National Libraries Day. It’s easy and it’s free. If you are, go along and choose a title that you might not otherwise have picked. Share the excitement of everyone who’s greedy for reading. Help us to celebrate this wonderful institution.”