Diary of a Wimpy Kid crowned Blue Peter Book of the Decade
2nd March 2012 - 4:39pm
Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been voted the best children's book of the last ten years by Blue Peter viewers.
A competition was launched by the programme to find the favourite title among the nation's schoolchildren, asking them to choose from the ten bestselling books published between January 2002 and December 2011.
Kinney's 2007 book, which has spawned a number of sequels and a 2010 film adaptation, beat off stiff competition from the likes of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and David Walliams' Mr Stink to take the crown.
The American author revealed that he was 'stunned' that the nation's children selected his book, which charts the day-to-day trials and tribulations of the protagonist Greg.
He added: 'When I saw the terrific books on the shortlist, I thought mine didn't stand a chance. I can't wait to come back to say "thank you" for this great honour in person!'
The announcement was made live on BBC One to mark World Book Day, with Gareth P Jones' werewolf mystery The Considine Curse also scooping the coveted Blue Peter Book of the Year 2012 award, following a vote by 300 carefully selected schoolchildren from across the UK.
Blue Peter editor Tim Levell said he was 'delighted' with the two winning books.
'They are very different in terms of subject matter: one about school life, one about a creepy family with a secret. But they're both funny, well-observed and well-written books that do exactly what Blue Peter tries to do: treat children as grown-ups,' he added.