Hi, my name's Bill Bailey. And today I've been reading the story, Dear Vampa my Ross Collins, a touch to see book about vampires and werewolves and how they don't really make the best neighbours. You think they would both being nocturnal and all, but some people just can't and get on. Having been mistaken for a werewolf myself on many occasions, I personally prefer werewolves. I know I shouldn't, but I'm naturally biased to our hairy anthropic brothers.

The first book that I read and really remember losing myself in was the book version of the film ‘Time Bandits’ which came out when I was a kid. Time Bandits is a really good film and a really good book about time travel and little people and it was funny, and it was historical and I rather like that. And the next book which I read when I was about eleven, was Animal Farm by George Orwell – I really loved that and it’s still probably my favourite book to this day. I’m lucky that I grew up as a reader. There were always books all over the house so I’ve always had books and always loved books. I don’t remember reading Roald Dahl. I don’t remember reading anything like that. I know Roald Dahl now because of my children. I think I was always interested in politics and history and stuff as a kid so I think that’s what switched me on in those days.

The first Harry Potter book went on sale in June 1997. More than 500 million Harry Potter books have since been bought and there was an absolute frenzy when the seventh and last book in the series reached bookshops in 2007.

Let's dive into the wonderful worlds created by Philip Pullman in his remarkable trilogy, His Dark Materials. The trilogy features wonderfully detailed descriptions of characters, from flying witches to armoured polar bears along with bewitching explanations of scenes and places.

Bilbo is the central character of The Hobbit. We first learn about him sitting in his comfortable home which had been built by his father, Bungo Baggins. Bilbo is a bit of a homebody. Like most hobbits he doesn’t travel much and prefers to stay in his area, known as the Shire.