Arts Council England
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Favourite book characters show it’s ok to be different
A poll by The Reading Agency has revealed how our favourite childhood book characters can benefit our lives.
Over 1,200 regular readers were asked who their favourite characters were from their childhood books, and why they liked them.
Classic favourite Winnie the Pooh topped the list, beating Harry Potter to the spot in perhaps a surprise result. George from Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five came third, and Bilbo Baggins fourth.
more than characters; they’re role-models, allies and friends
When asked for more information on their decisions:
- Over a third (37%) of people said their favourite character taught them it is OK to be different
- Almost half of people (45%) chose their favourite character because they were adventurous
- A third (30%) said they learned how to be kind to people
- And a quarter (27%) said their favourite childhood character helped them get through a difficult time
Find full details of the poll on the Reading Agency website.
The Big Friendly Read, Summer Reading Challenge. Photos © Dale Cherry 2016 for The Reading Agency. With thanks to Crawley Library, West Sussex County Council
Sarah Crown, Director of Literature, Arts Council England, said:
“The results of the Reading Agency’s survey demonstrate clearly what those of us lucky enough to have had access to literature in our early years already know: the books we read as children are fundamental in shaping our sense of ourselves. By giving us access to the thoughts and feelings of others, literature both develops our ability to empathise and shows us that we’re not alone in the world.
"The characters whom children meet in fiction are more than characters; they’re role-models, allies and friends.
"We’re delighted to be supporting The Reading Agency in its ambition, with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, of introducing them to a new generation.”
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