Children's book sales soared over the weekend when the new Harry Potter novel hit the shelves.

But the Brighton-based internet company Schoolsnet.com has found it is lesser-known authors who are attracting children's attention in schools.

The education website commissioned a survey of every book borrowed from the library in 40 primary schools and found that John Foster's Twinkle Twinkle, Chocolate Bar came out top.

The book of rhymes and poems was closely followed by The Truth about Guy Fawkes by Terry Deary; Flight - Fliers and Flying Machines by David Jefferis; There's an Alligator Under my Bed by Mercer Mayer; and Timelines - Ships and the Sea by Richard Humble.

Schoolsnet aims to be a one-stop site for parents, teachers and pupils, to help them develop their growing virtual library.

More than 20,000 titles can be read and reviewed.

The survey findings indicated a marked independence of reading habits among primary school children who have moved away from traditional favourites by Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl.

But they found animals are still popular among five to 11-year-olds with nine of the top 20 books featuring animals - from dino-saurs and dragons to dogs.

Greg Hadfield, Schoolsnet's chairman and editor-in-chief, said: "With its mix of old and new titles, well established and lesser-known authors, the results reflect children's wide-ranging imagination and reading habits.

"The survey will help Schoolsnet develop further its unique library service."

Other findings included American author RL Stine having the largest number of different books borrowed and only one female author in the top ten books. Most surprising is the fact that eight out of the top 20 books borrowed from school libraries most often are out of print.

Schoolsnet was officially launched in May and offers a schools guide to all UK schools, including examination results, inspection reports and background. There is also a guide to universities.

Teachers will find classroom resources, interactive lesson ideas and worksheets while students will find revision plans, tips on how to study and an array of GCSE and A-level questions to help practice for exams.

For those who need help, there is also a guide to how to use the web itself.

An education news service is provided on-line and Schoolsnet, which sponsors the English Schools Football Association, provides coverage of school sports.

Argus readers can also access Schoolsnet.com through our website thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk - follow the links to education. news.