Adam Baron, the star of our first #ToppstaBookClub and author of children's debut Boy Underwater, shares his five favourite children's books:

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham
This is a difficult book because it’s fairly old and the language can be a little difficult to follow. Stick with it though because you will meet the most wonderful characters, including Mole, Badger, Ratty and, best of all, the outrageous, car-stealing Mr Toad! Once read, never forgotten.

The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy Boston
This is a wonderful story. When Tolly goes to stay with his grandmother in the countryside he finds himself in a magical, flooded world, and in a house that seems alive. Mrs Oldknow tells him fantastical stories about his ancestors who seem strangely present in paintings and in the enchanted garden. Mysterious and very well described.

Watership Down by Richard Adams
Fiver is a rabbit living in a warren that’s in danger. After a vision of destruction, he persuades some of his friends to leave and find a new place to live. Dangers beset them as they journey towards their new home. Totally gripping with beautifully drawn characters including Kehaar, the angry seagull.

Viking’s Dawn by Henry Treece
Henry Treece wrote wonderful historical novels and this is his best. Harold is a young boy who sails with his Viking father as they raid Scotland. Immerse yourself in the culture and mythology of the Vikings!

Danny Champion of the World by Roald Dahl
This is my favourite Roald Dahl book. The relationship between Danny and his father is wonderfully drawn and the book is never anything but fully rounded and exciting. Reading about greedy people getting their comeuppance is always fun and boy does it happen here! Imaginative, and brilliant.