Los Angeles Times Children’s Bestsellers

January 20, 2002

FICTION

1 LOVE THAT DOG by Sharon Creech (Joanna Cotler Books: $14.95) A short novel in verse about a young boy who learns the pleasures of poetry. Ages 9-12

2 OLIVIA SAVES THE CIRCUS by Ian Falconer (Atheneum: $16) When all the circus performers get sick, a lovable little pig takes over because she knows the sow must go on. Ages 4-8

3 MARSUPIAL SUE by John Lithgow (Simon & Schuster: $17.95) A musical tale, including CD, about a young kangaroo who doesn’t like to hop all day. Ages 4-8

4 OLIVIA by Ian Falconer (Atheneum: $16) The antics of a lovable little pig with lots of energy with a pesky brother and a love of art. Ages 4-8

5 THE PAPER DOORWAY by Dean Koontz (HarperCollins: $17.95) “Stars, Mars and Chocolate Bars” and other comic poems by this mystery master. (Ages 9-12)

6 DANGER BOY 1: ANCIENT FIRE by Mark London Williams (Tricycle Press: $16.95) Eli’s scientist dad is forced to use Eli in his time-travel experiments, sending the 12-year-old to ancient Egypt and beyond. Ages 9-12

7 A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens (HarperCollins: $17.95) The classic story of Scrooge, adapted by Stephen Krensky with illustrations by Dean Morrissey. Ages 9-12

8 GIRAFFE’S CAN’T DANCE by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees (Orchard Books: $15.95) A rhyming tale about a poor giraffe who wants to learn to dance so he can cha-cha with the other jungle animals. Ages infant-3

9 WHAT PETE ATE FROM A TO Z by Maira Kalman (Putnam: $15.99) A story that list the wild variety of objects, from accordions to underpants, eaten by a playful pooch. Ages 4-8

10 GOOD THING YOU’RE NOT AN OCTOPUS! by Julie Markes (HarperCollins: $14.95) This inventive approach to uncooperative children shows an assortment of animals as they go about their daily routines. Ages 4-8

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Rankings are based on a Times poll of Southland bookstores.