The University of Worcester have conducted a very interesting-sounding survey and asked 2,000 adults which book they’d most like to pass on to their children (A Christmas Carol came first, with 19% of the vote). You can read more about the results on The Guardian’s website – after reading the story, I conducted one of our patented office polls to find out what one title everyone at Nosy Crow would leave to their children.
After much agonising, Kate could still only settle on two books: The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.
Ola chose The Six Bullerby Children by Astrid Lindgren.
Victoria picked Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Imogen has gone for Burglar Bill by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.
Kristina would leave Not Now, Bernard by David McKee.
Adrian’s choice is Kim by Rudyard Kipling.
And although I found this immensely difficult (largely, I think, as a result of wholly overthinking the question), I’ve decided on Matilda by Roald Dahl.
In a happy case of coincidence, Philip Ardagh, author of The Grunts, will be on Inheritance Books on Radio4 Extra at 4pm today, discussing the very same subject – tune in to hear his choices!
And if you could only choose one book to leave to your children, what would it be? Leave your answers in the comments below!
