Gather round for story time! It's time to discover the most popular children's books at the Library in 2024.
It's no surprise to see rhyming queen Julia Donaldson appear several times on the list, as well as other preschool staples like Supertato, and older children's favourites like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. And there are some newer and perhaps less familiar titles, too.
So here we are, in reverse order - your most borrowed children's books of 2024...
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10. Well Done, Mummy Penguin - Chris Haughton
Mummy Penguin is off to find a fishy dinner for her family. She has to swim very fast, climb a slippery cliff – cu-crunch, cu-crunch, cu-crunch – and even tiptoe past some sleeping seals… Shh! All the while, Little Penguin looks on in awe and says: “Well done, Mummy Penguin!”
The icy – and treacherous! – Antarctic landscapes are breathtaking in this funny and exciting celebration of all that mothers do, and all that mothers are.
9. The Leaf Thief - Alice Hemming
Squirrel is so cross. Yesterday there were loads of beautiful leaves on his tree, but today? Today some are missing and Squirrel is convinced that someone has stolen them... there's a leaf thief on the loose!
Join Squirrel on a mission to find the culprit, and meet so many fun animals on the way, while you find out how the world takes on different colours as the months pass by.
8. 117-Storey Treehouse - Andy Griffiths
Andy and Terry have added another thirteen levels of crazy fun to their every-growing treehouse. They've got a tiny-horse level, a pyjama-party room, an Underpants Museum and Treehouse Information Centre! But Andy and Terry have found themselves running from the Story Police and the only way to escape, is through the terrifying Door of Doom!
7. The Smeds and the Smoos – Julia Donaldson
The Smeds (who are red) never mix with the Smoos (who are blue). So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love, their families strongly disapprove. But peace is restored and love conquers all in this happiest of love stories. There's even a gorgeous purple baby to celebrate!
6. The Highway Rat – Julia Donaldson
'Give me your buns and your biscuits! Give me your chocolate eclairs! For I am the Rat of the highway, and the Rat Thief never shares!'
Life is not safe for the other animals, as the villainous Highway Rat gallops along the highway, stealing their food. Clover from a rabbit; nuts from a squirrel - he even steals his own horse's hay. Will he finally meet his comeuppance, in the form of a cunning duck?
5. Room on the Broom – Julia Donaldson
A very funny story of quick wits and friendship, Room on the Broom is another smash hit from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.
The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand. Luckily, they are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, who are all keen for a ride on the broom.
It's a case of the more, the merrier, but the broomstick isn't used to such a heavy load and it's not long before . . . SNAP! It breaks in two! And with a greedy dragon looking for a snack, the witch's animal pals better think fast.
4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid series – Jeff Kinney
'Let me get something straight: this is a JOURNAL not a diary... The other thing I want to clear up right away is that this was Mum's idea, not mine.'
Things aren't going well for Greg Heffley. He's been thrust into a new school where undersize weaklings share the corridors with kids who are taller, meaner and already shaving.
Along with his friend Rowley, Greg's desperate to prove his new maturity, which only going up a grade can bring. But when Rowley's star starts to rise, will Greg be able to reach the same heights of popularity as his best friend?
3. Space Tortoise – Ross Montgomery
Once, in an old rusty bin in an old rusty playground in an old empty park...there lived a little tortoise.
But Tortoise is lonely. He's never seen any other tortoises, and wonders where they could all be hiding. Then, one day, he looks up and the night sky, and sees a million blinking lights winking at him.
"That must be where the other tortoises are - at the top of the sky! I wish I could join them." But how can a little tortoise get to the top of the sky?
And so begins a magical journey... A beautiful, moving and heartwarming tale about bravery, kindness and welcoming strangers.
2. Supertato – Sue Hendra
Meet Supertato! He's always there for you when the chips are down. He's the supermarket superhero with eyes everywhere - but now there's a pea on the loose. A very, very naughty pea. Has Supertato finally met his match?
1. Oi Frog! – Kes Gray
Jam-packed with the silliest of animals, this bestselling rhyming story will have the youngest of readers in fits of laughter!
Cats sit on mats, hares sit on chairs, mules sit on stools and gofers sit on sofas, but Frog does not want to sit on a log! Jam-packed with animals and silliness, this original rhyming story will have young children in fits of laughter.
Looking for more book inspiration for little ones? Visit the Children's Library pages of the website.
