Survey reveals the nation's favourite children's book characters

Which one do you think topped the list?

In need of some costume ideas for World Book Day? This new poll might just give you the inspiration you've been looking for...

Research from Amazon has revealed the nation's top 10 favourite children's book characters, with JK Rowling's Harry Potter taking the top spot.

Close behind where The Gruffalo, Matilda and The BFG, all from the books of the same title, and that wasn't the only time Roald Dahl appeared on the list, as Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory featured in the line up too.

The study also revealed that more than half (56%) of parents read with their children every single night, and children spend an average of 27 minutes a day reading independently.

A nostalgic 55% of mums and dads said that they have introduced their children to the same books they read when they were young.

The nation's favourite children's book characters

1. Harry Potter (Harry Potter Series, JK Rowling) 2. The Gruffalo (The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson) 3. Matilda (Matilda, Roald Dahl) 4. The BFG (The BFG, Roald Dahl) 5. Winnie The Pooh (Winnie The Pooh, A.A. Milne) 6. Tracey Beaker (Tracey Beaker Series, Jacqueline Wilson) 7. Paddington Bear (Paddington Bear, Michael Bond) 8. Charlie Bucket (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl) 9. Peter Rabbit (Peter Rabbit Series, Beatrix Potter) 10. Alice In Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)

Although many of these books have been adapted for the big and small screen, a third of the children surveyed said that they preferred imagining their favourite characters rather than watching them in films or on TV - so there's hope for bedtime stories yet!

More: World Book Day costume ideas

Amy Worth, UK Kindle Content Director, Amazon commented: 'There really is nothing like getting lost in a good book, and it's particularly important for children to experience this from a young age.'

'It's fantastic to learn that children prefer the characters they imagine whilst reading rather than the ones they see in films, and our research shows that parents understand the importance of instilling a love of reading in their children from an early age.'

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