1980: Which books do kids love reading most?

"Some titles are so popular that as fast as you put them into stock, they disappear again."

From childhood favourite 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', to the sleepless night inducing 'Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep', these were some of the most popular children's books in a Birmingham library in 1980. The librarian talked about the enduring appeal of children's literature and how the most loved titles wear out and need constant replacing.

Clip taken from Pebble Mill at One, originally broadcast on BBC One, 7 October 1980.

Explore more and follow BBC Archive.

  • Published
Trending Now