Untitled Books

Everyone from Huck Finn to Angelina Ballerina turns out for publisher's anniversary roll of honour

In pictures: Puffins a-plenty

Huckleberry Finn rubs shoulders with Artemis Fowl, Charlie and Lola with Fungus the Bogeyman, and Dick King Smith's Sheep-Pig with Gerald Durrell's Family and Other Animals. A reading list drawn up to celebrate 70 years of the children's publisher Puffin throws up some odd pairings, but highlights the rich heritage of the list that was founded in 1940 as a series of non-fiction picture books for children.

The first fiction book published by Puffin, Worzel Gummidge, in 1941 doesn't make the cut 70 years later, but there is a good sprinkling of other classics among the 70 featured titles, which are organised in categories ranging from Best Swashbucklers and Derring-do and Best Blood and Guts to Best Weird and Wonderful and Best Weepies. Watership Down heads up the latter category while both Dracula and The Hound of the Baskervilles feature in the blood and guts section. Alice in Wonderland and Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl are also on the list. Roald Dahl is honoured with a section of his own – Best Phizzwhizzers – containing The BFG, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Fantastic Mr Fox.

"It's great that it flags up classic titles and reminds people that they are out there. It will also probably have a positive effect on sales for the books on the list – things like these lists always do if the publicity is wide enough," said Georgina Hanratty, manager of the Tales On Moon Lane children's bookshop in south London, which is holding a Puffin party in June where staff and customers will dress up as their favourite characters.

"In terms of us as booksellers, there are unlikely to be any huge surprises but it's a lovely thing to be able to celebrate the classics again and give the backlist some space at the front of the shop rather than just focusing on the new big-hitters."

Newer writers on the list include the Percy Jackson author, Rick Riordan, Young Bond creator Charlie Higson, Lauren Child, the queen of the picture book, and even former Sun editor David Yelland with his recently published novel about a father struggling with alcoholism. There is also a nod to the Edward and Bella phenomenon with a category for Best Alternatives to Twilight.

"The Puffin list continues to look remarkably strong. So many of the books it promoted in the seven decades have just gone on and on. They provide a long, robust spine to children's books. And the recent acquisition of authors such as Eoin Colfer, Meg Rosoff and Charlie Higson just adds a fresh new layer. Of course, there are now lots of wonderful authors on other lists too. After all, Puffin no longer has the monopoly it once enjoyed but it is still a byword for interesting, high quality books. Nowadays, that is especially true for its edgy books for ten readers."

The showcase of Puffin books is part of a year of birthday celebrations organised by the publisher. Bookshops and libraries have been given packs to host Puffin parties and a series of £3.99 "Pocket Money Puffins" have already proved very popular, creating a buzz with fans of the authors, according to Hanratty.

"The categories were picked to show that there's a Puffin for everyone and to suit all tastes from those who love action and adventure to tales of family and friendship and even a vampire or two," said Francesca Dow, managing director of Puffin Books.

The Puffin top 70 in full:


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