Better Reading Top 50 Kids’ Books & Dymocks Kids’ Top 51 Books | 2018

Better Reading Top 50 Kids’ Books – 2018 Results

Better Reading aims to be a source of independent book recommendations for Australian readers and their families. Brought to you by Cheryl Akle and the team behind Get Reading! and The Book Circle, Better Reading is all about sharing great stories and helping people discover new books and authors.  They want to make choosing your next read a friendlier experience.

The results are in for the Better Reading Top 50 Kids’ Books for 2018.  In the list we have shared below you will find lots of beloved children’s classics as well as some new favourites, a wonderful range of captivating series and plenty of Australian books on the list too.  Roald Dahl has no less than six books featured in the list and the famous Dr. Seuss has three.  New author, comedian Peter Helliar has just made the cut at number 50.

Dymocks too have recently released their top 51 kids’ books for 2018 which is also listed below (scroll down to the bottom).

2018 Better Reading Top 50 Kids’ Books

1 |  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

An incredible adventure is about to begin!  When a letter arrives for unhappy but ordinary Harry Potter, a decade-old secret is revealed to him that apparently he’s the last to know.

2 |  The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

A magical journey for children from the acclaimed Enid Blyton.  When Joe, Beth and Frannie climb up to the top of the Faraway Tree, they meet Silky, Moon-Face and the Saucepan Man. Their new friends show them an exciting secret – how to visit lots of strange and magical lands, where they have many thrilling adventures.

3 |  Alice-Miranda at School by Jacqueline Harvey

Move over, Matilda, and step aside, Madeline, there’s a new charming miniature heroine about to make her mark.

4 |  Matilda by Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl at his best.  Matilda Wormwood is an extraordinary genius with really stupid parents.  Miss Trunchbull is her terrifying headmistress who thinks all her pupils are rotten little stinkers.  But Matilda will show these horrible grown-ups that, even though she’s only small, she’s got some very powerful tricks up her sleeve . . .

5 |  Kensy and Max: Breaking News by Jacqueline Harvey

Introducing Kensy and Max – an action-packed spy-adventure series for girls and boys from bestselling author Jacqueline Harvey!

6 |  The BFG by Roald Dahl

The well-loved story of a big friendly giant.

7 |  Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

The classic tale of a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a barn spider named Charlotte.

8 |  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

The story of how a bad-tempered, naughty, red-haired orphan charmed a whole town.

9 |  Wonder by R.J. Palacio

The internationally bestselling story of a boy who’s desperate to blend in, but is destined to stand out because of the way he looks.

10 |  Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

The Trials of Morrigan Crow.

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

The adventures of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy have enchanted readers for over sixty years.

12 |  The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton

Welcome to the most amazing treehouse in the world!  In July 2018 the 104-Storey Treehouse was released!

13 | WeirDo by Anh Do

A laugh-out-loud story for young readers, about a weird kid with a weird name.

14 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

The classic adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier, Willy Wonka!

15 |  Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

The classic book for beginners from the legendary, Dr Seuss.

16 | Bad Dad by David Walliams

The heart-warming and hilariously brilliant story from number one bestselling author David Walliams. Beautifully illustrated by artistic genius, Tony Ross.

17 | The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Inga Moore

Step into the world of The Secret Garden with this beautifully illustrated paperback edition of one of the best-loved children’s stories.

18 | Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Startlingly original and experimental, the Alice books provide readers with a double window on both child and adult worlds.

19 | The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie by May Gibbs

May Gibbs’ perennial favourite for children.

20 | Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne, E.H. Shepard

Heart-warming and funny, Milne’s masterpiece reflects the power of a child’s imagination like no other story before or since.

21 | The Bad Guys: Episode 1 by Aaron Blabey

A new kids’ series by the hilarious Aaron Blabey.

22 | Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

The perfect send-off for grads from nursery school, high school, college, and beyond!

23 | Clementine Rose Series: Collection #1 by Jacqueline Harvey

Three Clementine Rose stories (books 1, 2 & 3) in one gorgeous collection!

24 | Famous Five: Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton

The first Famous Five novel.

25 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Wimpy Kid #1) by Jeff Kinney

Book one of the international bestselling Wimpy Kid series.  Being a kid can really stink. And no one knows this better than Greg Heffley, who finds himself thrust into high school where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving.

26 | The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

This is the much-loved classic tales of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad.

27 | Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Meg is the eldest and on the brink of love. Then there’s tomboy Jo who longs to be a writer. Sweet-natured Beth always puts others first, and finally there’s Amy, the youngest and most precocious. Together they are the March sisters.

28 | The Witches by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake

The classic tale of a young boy and his Norwegian grandmother in a world where child-hating witches secretly exist.

29 | Once by Morris Gleitzman

Once I escaped from an orphanage to find my Mum and Dad.  Once I saved a girl called Zelda from a burning house.  Once I made a Nazi with toothache laugh.  My name is Felix.  This is my story.

30 | The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

The hilarious classic tale of a cat in a hat , two children and their fish.

31 | The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

A powerful and brave YA novel about what prejudice looks like in the 21st century.

32 | Friday Barnes, Girl Detective by R.A. Spratt

Imagine if Sherlock Holmes was an eleven-year-old girl!

33 | George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake

This tremendous tale tells us about George who is 8 years old, and his desire is to transform his cranky old grandma.

34 | The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Captain Underpants #1.  George and Harold have created the greatest superhero in the history of their elementary school, and now they’re going to bring him to life!

35 | The Twits by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake

A thrillingly grotesque book for young readers featuring Mr. and Mrs. Twit, the smelliest, ugliest people in the world.

36 | Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park

Disturbed that her mother could welcome back her unfaithful father, Abigail Kirk undergoes a mysterious voyage to nineteenth-century Australia, where her experiences help her to understand the power of love and to accept her father.

37 | Polly and Buster: The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster by Sally Rippin

From Australia’s best-selling female author, Sally Rippin, comes Polly and Buster – a brand new junior fiction series about the magic of friendship.

38 | Ranger’s Apprentice #1: The Ruins Of Gorlan by John Flanagan

The New York Times and Australian mega-bestselling series about Will and his friends from Castle Redmont.

39 | Peter Pan by JM Barrie

Fly away with Pater Pan!

40 | Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

A powerful story of friendship and courage.

41 | Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli

Powerful, moving and very necessary, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girl will inspire and delight readers of all ages.

42 | Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner

‘Without doubt Judy was the worst of the seven, probably because she was the cleverest.’

43 | A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Madeleine L’Engle’s ground-breaking science fiction and fantasy classic, now a major motion picture.

44 | Tomorrow, When the War Began (The Tomorrow Series #1) by John Marsden

The book that started the series that became the legend…

45 | Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson #1) by Rick Riordan

Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek god.

46 | The Mapmaker Chronicles #1: Race to the End of the World by A.L. Tait

Adventure and danger lie just off the edge of the map in this swashbuckling new trilogy!

47 | Babysitter’s Club: Kristy’s Great Idea #1 by Ann M Martin

Having a baby-sitters club isn’t easy, but Kristy and her friends aren’t giving up until they get it right!

48 | The World’s Worst Children by David Walliams, Tony Ross

Beware! Ten delightfully dreadful tales within.

49 | Big Book of Ella & Olivia by Yvette Poshoglian

Meet Ella and Olivia. Big sister. Little sister. Best friends.

50 | Frankie Fish and the Sonic Suitcase by Peter Helliar

In his first ever kids’ book, Australian comedian Peter Helliar takes young readers on a hilarious time-travel adventure about mega mischief, missing limbs, and a grandad with a wicked secret…

Dymocks Kids’ Top 51 Books for 2018:

1. The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend | Age 8+
2. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling | Age 7+
3. The Medoran Chronicles Series by Lynette Noni  |  Age 12+
4. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli  |  Age 15+
5. Good Night Stories For Rebel Girls by Francesca Cavallo & Elena Favilli  |  Age 11+
6. A Court of Thorns and Roses Series by Sarah J. Maas  |  Age 14+
7. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis  |  Age 12+
8. Wonder by R. J. Palacio  |  Age 9+
9. The Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas  |  Age 12+
10. The BFG by Roald Dahl  |  Age 8+
11. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas  |  Age 14+
12. Matilda by Roald Dahl  |  Age 8+
13. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson  |  Age 0+
14. The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton  |  Age 6+
15. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare  |  Age 14+
16. Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden  |  Age 12+
17. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan  |  Age 9+
18. The Ruins Of Gorlan by John Flanagan |  Age 9+
19. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins  |  Age 12+
20. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle  |  Age 0+
21. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White  |  Age 9+
22. The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton  |  Age 7+
23. The WeirDo Series by Anh Do  |  Age 6+
24. A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle  |  Age 9+
25. Breaking News: Kensy and Max Book 1 by Jacqueline Harvey  |  Age 9+
26. Hairy Maclary From Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd  |  Age 2+
27. Where Is The Green Sheep? by Mem Fox & Judy Horacek  |  Age 0+
28. Possum Magic by Mem Fox  |  Age 4+
29. The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 1 by Lemony Snicket  |  Age 9+
30. Northern Lights: His Dark Materials Book 1 by Philip Pullman  |  Age 13+
31. Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers  |  Age 3+
32. We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen  |  Age 2+
33. The Tale Of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter  |  Age 0+
34. The Cruel Prince: The Folk of the Air Book 1 by Holly Black  |  Age 15+
35. The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak  z|  Age 3+
36. The Tournament at Gorlan: Ranger’s Apprentice The Early Years Book 1 by John Flanagan  |  Age 13+
37. The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster: Polly and Buster Book 1 by Sally Rippin  |  Age 7+
38. Looking For Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta  |  Age 15+
39. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss  |  Age 4+
40. The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-time by Mark Haddon  |  Age 12+
41. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne  |  Age 12+
42. One Of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus  |  Age 14+
43. Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey Piranhas  |  Age 4+
44. Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey  |  Age 4+
45. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon  |  Age 13+
46. Tempests and Slaughter: The Numair Chronicles Book 1 by Tamora Pierce  |  Age 12+
47. The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister  |  Age 2+
48. Magnus Chase And The Ship Of The Dead by Rick Riordan  |  Age 11+
49. Once by Morris Gleitzman  |  Age 10+
50. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney  |  Age 2+
51. Number 51 Frankie Fish and The Sonic Suitcase by Peter Helliar  |  Age 8+

See the Dymocks website here to buy any of these books.

For more information and all enquiries please visit the Better Reading website.

What:  2018 Better Reading Top 50 Kids’ Books

When:  2018 

Where:  Your local book store, library or online

Who: All Ages

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

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