Harrow author Ian Whybrow, best known for his enormously popular Harry and the Dinosaur titles, has broken into the top 10 public lending right list.

The author of more than 100 books, Ian has been translated into 25 languages, and appears at number 10 on the list which is published today and is a record of the nation's library borrowing habits.

He is also number six on the children's author list.

An animated version of the very popular Little Wolf's Book of Badness was the 2003 Christmas Special on Channel 4.

The Harry and the Dinosaurs titles, illustrated by Adrian Reynolds, are published by Puffin.

Mr Whyrbow, who lives on Harrow on the Hill, said: "I'm very excited by this. This has been my aim for a while but I didn't think I would get above 15, which I achieved last year."

Mr Whybrow, whose first found fame with The Sniff Stories in 1989, is looking for schools to volunteer in an experiment he is planning to launch with the Harrow Observer later this year to encourage parents to read with their children. He is talking with Roxeth school about launching the plan in May and would like other schools to take part.

He added: "I loved being read to when I was a child and I loved the sense that my mother and father were enjoying themselves too. I would like to see Harrow buck the national trend and play a part in encouraging parents to read with their children."

If you would like to get involved or to find out more email davidtilley@trinitysouth.co.uk, to find out more see next week's Observer and Leader.

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