Los Angeles Times Children’s Bestsellers

August 20, 2000

1. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE by J.K. Rowling (Scholastic: $ 25.95) Harry, now 14, comes of age, competing in the great Triwizard Tournament and pursued by the sinister Lord Voldemort, in this fourth book of the series. (Ages 9 and up)

2. I’M NOT GOING TO CHASE THE CAT TODAY! by Jessica Harper (William Morrow: $15.95) A lively lesson in throwing off habits and limitations from a dog who wakes from a nap and doesn’t want to pursue his feline friend. (Ages 4-8)

3. JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT by Simms Taback (Viking: $15.99) Joseph is as clever as ever when it comes to saving his ratty coat, featuring plenty of touchy-feely fabric patches. (Ages 4-8)

4. ANIMORPHS No. 42: THE JOURNEY by K.A. Applegate (Apple: $4.99) The Animorphs fight the Helmacrons for possession of the special morphing cube. (Ages 9-12)

5. HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE by J.K. Rowling (Arthur A. Levine: $5.99 paper) An orphan living with mean, selfish relatives, young Harry discovers that he is a wizard with great powers. (Ages 9-12)

6. JUNIE B. JONES AND THE STUPID SMELLY BUS by Barbara Park (Random House: $1.99) A likable kindergartner faces comic mishaps on her first day of school. (Ages 4-8)

7. HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS by J.K. Rowling (Arthur A. Levine Books: $17.95) Harry risks his life to solve a mystery at the Hogwarts School. (Ages 9-12)

8. THE NUMBER DEVIL by Hans Magnus Enzensberger (Henry Holt: $17) Though he hates math, young Robert learns the secrets of math concepts from an impish little red devil. (Ages 9-12)

9. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN by J.K. Rowling (Scholastic: $19.95) Sirius Black, an escaped convict, is on the loose, and he’s after Harry. (Ages 9-12)

10. FANNY’S DREAM by Caralyn Buehner (Dial Books for Young Readers: $15.99) An ungainly farmgirl dreams of Prince Charming but marries a goodhearted farmer instead. (Ages 6-9)

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Rankings are based on a Times poll of Southland bookstores.