CHILDREN’S BESTSELLERS

Rankings are based on a Times poll of Southland bookstores.

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*--* 1 Eragon (Inheritance, Book I) by Christopher Paolini (Knopf, $18.95) A boy and his dragon battle an evil king. Ages 10-14

2 Dora Loves Boots by Alison Inches (Simon Spotlight, $3.99) Dora and Boots visit a special place. Ages 4-8

3 The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (Scholastic, $16.95) Two brothers join a band of young thieves in Venice. Ages 9-12

4 The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (Laure Leaf, $6.99) An orphan grows up near Oxford University. Ages 10-older

5 Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat (HarperTrophy, $4.95) Insulting valentines. Ages 4-8

6 The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick, $17.99) A brave mouse and his friends fight for their dreams. Ages 9-12

7 How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long (Harcourt, $16) A boy helps a band of pirates bury a treasure chest. Ages 4-8

8 Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine by Barbara Park (Random House, $3.99) Junie’s secret admirer. Ages 4-8

9 The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket (HarperCollins, $10.99) Count Olaf pursues the Baudelaires. Ages 9-12

10 SpongeBob’s Secret Valentine by David Lewman (Simon Spotlight, $3.99) SpongeBob has a card for Sandy. Ages 4-8

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