12:56p.m. 19th March 2008

J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books have topped a poll of kids' favourite books, with the Roald Dahl stories coming second.

Aussie kids have voted J K Rowling’s Harry Potter adventures as their favourite books for the second time in three years.

More than 15,000 children across the country, including 9000 in Queensland, took part in the Angus & Robertson Kids’ Top 50 book poll.

They chose the Roald Dahl stories, including classics such as Matilda and James and the Giant Peach, for the number two spot.

Placing higher than any other Australian author ever in the Kids’ Top 50, the series Specky Magee by Felice Arena and footballer Garry Lyon came in at number three.

But apart from the boy wizard and Dahl’s twisted tales, kids’ tastes in books have changed dramatically since the last national poll was undertaken in early 2006.

Half of all the books were new to the list, including recent blockbuster His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman and the E B White classic Charlotte’s Web.

With a total of 27 of the top 50 books being part of a series (including the Rainbow Magic series, the Go Girls and the Captain Underpants series), it’s also clear that once kids start reading a book they love, they just don’t want to stop.

Kids aged from five to 17 were given a month to vote online, in store and through their schools for their all-time favourite books, and Angus & Robertson was overwhelmed by the response.

“This poll proves that kids’ tastes change rapidly and significantly when it comes to their favourite books but when they find characters that they connect with, kids are really committed to a whole series,” said Dave Fenlon, the book retailer’s group operating officer.

“The number of books that have been, or are being made into films is also high. It is extraordinarily positive that books and movies together fuel kids’ literacy and passion for stories.”

“Australian authors also feature heavily in the Kids’ Top 50, indicating that stories set in our backyard resonate with kids.”