With more and more attention being focused on kids performances at school, parents are increasing feeling the pressure to provide their kids with the best start, making sure they have the knowledge and skills to be able to excel in the classroom.

Studies have showed that by reading to your child from an early age, you are able to instil a love of books and desire to learn. And there have been many campaigns to try and encourage people to read with their children more. Despite a recession driven dip in sales last year, the numbers for childrens book sales appear to be on the up. And the driving force behind this sales increase appears to be the Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer having stepped firmly into JK Rowling’s shoes as favourite childrens author.

Annual figures from Nielson BookScan show children’s book sales in 2009 were up 4.9% in volume and picture book sales were up by 13% on 2008. The top ten children’s book were:

1. Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series
2. Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series
3. Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series
4. Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series
5. Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series
6. Beano Annual 2010
7. Miles to go by Mylie Cyrus
8. Mr Gum in the Hound of Lamonic Bibber /Sephir the Storm Monster by Andy Stanton and Adam Blade
9. Peppa Pig official annual
10. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K Rowling