London: Children`s classic The Gruffalo has been named the best bedtime story in the UK, says a poll.
The book, penned by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, tells the story of a mouse who hoodwinks an owl, a fox and a snake before finally getting the better off the terrifying Gruffalo itself.
The tale piped runner-up Winnie The Pooh followed by The Very Hungry Caterpillar in the poll of BBC Radio 2 listeners.
``I am going to come clean - it`s my favourite too,” the BBC quoted Jeremy Vine, who hosted the poll on his show, as saying.
“Julia Donaldson is the Shakespeare of children`s writers, and the funny thing about her is that, because the Gruffalo only came out 10 years ago, there are many, many people who haven`t even clocked that Britain has this genius in its midst.
``It`s not just The Gruffalo - it`s everything she has written. I am a massive fan, but I`m happy to take my place behind about 500,000 British children,`` he added.
Other books that made it to the list included Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and Where The Wild Things Are.
ANI
First Published: Saturday, November 7, 2009, 12:38
