Akshat Sharma, 8, recommends The Snow Queen, by Hans Christian Andersen because because, in Akshat's words, 'the story depicts how true friendship can be'. A little girl travels to dangerous places to find and rescue her best friend. Akshat thinks everybody will enjoy the book because 'it shows courage, bravery and friendship'.

One of eight-year-old M-C’s favourite books is Felicity Wishes, by Emma Thomson: “I like the writing in the book because it is all fancy, and there are loads of pop ups and flaps. I find it interesting because of all the things the fairies do, like being the fairy on top of the Christmas tree, the Tooth fairy and the Friendship fairy . . . when my Granpy bought it for me I read it straight away and couldn’t stop!”

Alice Wadkin, 11, has fond memories of the story of The Elves and the Shoemaker because “my grandma had this book at her house and she read it to me when I was little and I still enjoy reading it.”

Here's a book which has appeal for a broad age range: Maisie Goes To Hollywood by Aileen Paterson is about “a normal cat except that she has two legs . . . Maisie is excited because she thinks she might get to work in one of the film studios,” according to Chris Laidlaw, 11. He remembers how much he liked it and reckons that it will appeal to readers between the ages of 4 and 10.

Natalie Bowker remembers The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter: “It was one of the first books I had read to me and I still like to read it from time to time,” she writes.

Alice Wadkin, 11, also rates the Mrs Pepperpot books by Alf Prøysen because “they are funny and I still cannot believe that she [Mrs Pepperpot] can be that small.”

Another favourite of Henry Crabtree, 5, is Chicken Licken told by Mandy Ross: Henry writes, “Mummy reads this to me at bedtime.”

Dalya Levine points out that the Treasury of Children's Literature edited by Alison Sage brings together some absolutely favourite stories, among them Tony Ross's I Want My Potty. Dalya says that when she was two she loved this story and kept asking her mum to read it over and over again.

Emma Littlehales, 10, points out one of the reasons we love books from our early childhood. She recommends Here come Frog, Duck and Rabbit by Ted Smart and explains, “This reminds me of when I was little. I read it for comfort and I think of my mum.”

Zaynah Arshad, 11, has a lovely memory of Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas, which is illustrated by Korky Paul: “This book will always be special to me because when I was in kindergarten me and my friend used to sit in the corner reading it and we always used to have it as our home reading book. On my birthday the whole class had given me that book and told me to keep it safe and ever since then . . . I have!”

Julia Wessels, 8, is a great fan of Pookie by Ivy Wallace: “The book is about a tiny rabbit called Pookie. Pookie has very small wings and wishes he was a normal rabbit. He leaves home and has lots of adventures and one day Pookie can fly. You must read the rest to find out what happens next. If you read Pookie it will make your eyes twinkle with delight.”

The last recommendation (for now) from the Home Library of Henry Crabtree, is The Little Yellow Plane by Peter Seabourne. “The story is about Loopy who does tricks.”

Button Moon and the Paper Panda by Ian Allen is an old favourite of Jessie Chalders because “I remember when my mum and dad used to read it to me when I was little. The book is about all the animals on Cherry Tree Farm oversleeping.”

Henry Crabtree, 5, writes about At the Letterbox by Jez Alborough: “I like this book. It is funny.”

Jessie Crabtree, 9 goes back to an early favourite which she feels young readers will enjoy as much as she did: The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber. Jessie writes, “I like to read this book . . . because it reminds me of my pet cat called Tabitha. I also read it when I was young.”

Henry Crabtree who is a real bookworm really likes It Could Have Been Worse by A Benjamin because not only is the book good, but the pictures are great.

Emily Ong, 11 remembers a hit from when she was younger which she feels will appeal to under-7s: Book of Bears by Michael Bond. “It reminds me of when I was little, I used to get read a story from the book every night by my Dad.”

Henry Crabtree, is back again with another favourite, Hairy Maclary by Lynley Dodd: “ I like the book because Hairy Maclary is so fluffy and I would like a dog.” Henry also likes Asterix by Goscinny and Uderzo because the pictures appeal to him.

Still with Henry Crabtree, he recommends The Bear and the Bad Little Girl by S Hayes because it reminds him of his sister, but “it's good,” he says!

Old Bear by Jane Hissey was chosen by Jessie Chalders because it is one of her old favourites. “The book is about an old bear being thrown into an attic with all the other rubbish. Little Bear, Duck and Rabbit go to rescue him.”

Another of Henry Crabtree's favourites is The Duck that Had No Luck by J Long and Korky Paul which he likes because it is funny.

Emily Ong, 11, feels a lasting affection for The House at Pooh Corner by A A Milne: “I have always loved Winnie the Pooh and it is the kind of book you can read over and over again.” Alice Wadkin, 11, also thoroughly recommends the Winnie the Pooh books: “they are so good I still read them sometimes.” Sorcha O'Brien, 7, says: “Winnie the Pooh is full of fun, laughter and lots of other things .He loves honey and playing with his friends Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger.”

A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch by Jill Murphy is recommended by Jemma Jenkins: "Mildred's evil classmate Ethel Hallow is every teacher's pet. Ethel turns Mildred into a frog and when caught denies it. I would give this book 9 out of 10.”