Do YOU have a hidden fortune on your bookshelf? The children's novels that sell for thousands - and how to tell if you've got a hidden gem

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Beloved childhood books you could have laying around your house could be worth a fortune online, experts have revealed.

Certain editions of popular novels - which are likely gathering dust on your shelves - are going for thousands on the internet, with nostalgic readers and collectors looking to get their hands on copies of rare Harry Potter and Roald Dahl books, for instance.

If you have a 4th edition of J. R. R. Tolkien's epic fantasy The Hobbit lying about at home, you could earn as much as £2,686 if you were to sell it, according to home insurance company Homeprotect.

First published in 1937, its original price was seven shillings and six pence - which according to the insurers, is £22.58 in today's money, when adjusted for inflation.

The story has since become a global phenomenon with movie and TV adaptations, and over 100 million copies sold since.

Meanwhile, first editions of the whimsical tales of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland rack up £2,228 on marketplace sites like eBay.

The 1865 novel, which tells the story of a girl caught up in a magical dreamland when she falls down a rabbit hole, was sold for four shillings back in the day - around £27.40 in modern times.

J. R. R. Tolkien's epic fantasy The Hobbit takes the first place - particularly its 4th edition selling for as much as £2,686 on eBay in recent months

Next on the list were the ever popular Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling - as signed hardback editions of the Deathly Hallows, the last book in the series, can fetch up to £1,485 on the online marketplace.

Also featured was The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame, with centenary editions from 2008 worth £1,000; and owners of such copies could 'see a value increase of as much as 1,116 per cent, as limited-edition prints are likely to have sold for over £50, equivalent to £82.23 today'. 

Elsewhere, versions of The Hound Of The Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle are likely to fetch a pretty penny. Much like the former, a centenary edition is also worth a lot, bringing in some £770 online.

First-edition copies from 1902 have also been listed for £1,700, while a version from 1908 has also been touted for £500 online. A 100th anniversary collection version released in 2021 is also very popular.

'Copies were likely selling for a standard retail price of six shillings in 1902,' Homeprotect said. 'In today's money, that is around £32 – a 2,294 per cent increase in value.'

The other books included Eragon by Christopher Paolini, which could rack in £745, (with signed first editions very popular) Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, which could fetch £670. First editions and deluxe versions of Percy Jackson books appear to be popular on online marketplaces.

Elsewhere, you may also luck out with The Wizard Of Oz by Frank Baum, copies of which may bring in around £668. Editions from the early 1900s in particular seem popular online, with a 1903 version listed for a whopping £ 1,858.04 on the internet.

Also of interest are The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (£516) and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (£483). 

For the latter, its the 1969 10th impression that appears to be of interest online, but the 6th print 1st edition from 1962 and a seventh impression from 1964 have listed for a pretty penny online.

When it comes to Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, it's hardback versions from 1964 (first edition) and 1967 which appear to be going for hefty sums on the internet.

'It's incredible to see how much a favourite childhood read can grow in value,' David Joyson, Chief Customer Officer at Homeprotect, said.

'It could prompt people to rediscover stories as well as editions that could earn them some cash during hard financial times. 

Next on the list were the ever popular Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling - as signed hardback editions of the Deathly Hallows, the last book in the series, can fetch up to £1,485 on the online marketplace

'It's not uncommon for books to be passed down from one generation to the next, so their value can be easily overlooked or forgotten.

'If you think you have a valuable book, it's worth doing your research to see which editions are fetching a high price, and if yours could be a hidden treasure.

'If you do come across a book that you think may be valuable, opt for a professional valuation.

'Not only will this ensure you get what it's worth when selling it on, but if you're planning to hang on to it, to ensure you have the appropriate home insurance contents cover.'

He added: 'Rare or collectable books may be covered by your contents insurance, but it's always worth checking the specific policy terms with your insurer and letting them know the specifics of your valuable household items, to confirm that you have an adequate amount of contents cover.'