ABSTRACT
The recent astonishing success of certain children’s books makes a study of popularity and children’s literature a very timely undertaking. J.K. Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter’ books are, of course, the most prominent example. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003) was the fastest selling book in UK history (5 million copies in one day); Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005) had a larger print-run than any previous title in the USA (10 million copies). The spontaneity and universality of this acclaim and appeal, but equally its contrivance and pervasiveness, provides the impetus for a fresh investigation into the complex interplay of forces that come to bear on literary popularity. Such phenomenal success calls for a reassessment of our understanding and interpretation of the workings of popularity within children’s culture. It has certainly reminded us, if we needed reminding, of just how passionately children care about their books, and just how potent a force the popularity of children’s books can be.
