Despite the phenomenal success of JK Rowling's Harry Potter series of children's books, experts still believe that the old classics are best for kids.

The Children's Laureate Michael Rosen and his four predecessors have each selected seven children's books which they regard as greats - but there were was no room in any of the lists for the young wizard from Hogwarts.

Instead, older titles such as Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, E Nesbit's The Railway Children and Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist dominated the rankings.

Sarah Clarke, children's buying manager at book store Waterstone's, said she expects many parents to be surprised by the absence of recent bestsellers such as the Harry Potter books.

She added, however, that "it's great to see the Laureates choosing some timeless greats like The Railway Children and Just So Stories and introducing them to a new generation of readers".

Current Laureate Rosen is himself a celebrated children's poet whose collections include Wouldn't You Like to Know, You Tell Me and Quick, Let's Get Out of Here.

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