100 Best Books for Children: A Parent's Guide to Making the Right Choices for Your Young Reader, Toddler to Preteen [Paperback]

Anita Silvey (Author)

Book Description

From classics to new favorites, 100 Best Books for Children “points parents in the right direction [to] 100 titles no child should miss” (Booklist). With thirty-five years of experience at the heart of children’s publishing, Anita Silvey is better equipped than anyone to help parents make the right reading choices, given the enormous range of children’s books available today. From board books to titles for older readers, Silvey narrows the field to 100 “best books,” organizing them by age and providing essays on plot summary, along with fascinating insights into the story behind the story that only an insider would know.
Essential and inspiring, 100 Best Books for Children is a perfect handbook for parents who want to help their child develop a passion for reading that will last a lifetime.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Divided into age groups, Silvey lists classics old and new, from Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd's Goodnight Moon to Virginia Hamilton's The People Could Fly to Louis Sachar's novel Holes," wrote PW. All ages. (Aug.)Note: We have additional Children's Books Reviews at www.publishersweekly.com. Click "Web Exclusives" to get to "Review Annex."
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

What makes a book a classic? Silvey, a longtime children's book specialist and literature lover, addresses that question in order to identify books that represent a "basic literary heritage." The result is a highly select list of 100 titles published from 1902 to 2002. These are titles that have been or likely will be enjoyed by children for generations: "The canon of children's books remains the best gift we could ever give our children." And the short essays that introduce this canon are likely to engage adults in surprising ways. There is, of course, a brief synopsis of each book's content plus information about the creation or creator of the book. Written in a conversational tone, these stories "behind the story" provide insight, humor, and passion for the books presented. Additional titles are presented in "Beyond the 100 Best," organized by age (birth through age 12) and also by genre. An extensive bibliography of adult references provides not only documentation but also allows for follow-up by those interested. Silvey notes that a reader's response to a book is part of its story, hence the inclusion of a section entitled "Reading Journal." Altogether, this is a highly useful book for anyone who is interested in the best of children's literature and the fascinating tales behind these books. - Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (August 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618618775
• ISBN-13: 978-0618618774
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Parenting & Families > Literature Guides
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Publishing & Books > Bibliographies & Indexes > Literature
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Books & Reading > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting background on your favorite children's books, May 12, 2006

By 

Emily K. Paster "A mom and lover of children'... (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 100 Best Books for Children (Hardcover)

This book makes a fun gift for new parents, who sometimes need to be reminded about the classics from their childhood, as well to learn about the books published since they were kids. Like anyone who is passionate about children's literature, I have my own opinions about the books that should be listed in the top 100 and I disagree with some of the author's selections. But, I think the real value of this book is the short essays about the background behind the classic children's books we know and love. I didn't know, for example, that Ezra Jack Keats's "The Snowy Day" was controversial when it was published for his use of an African-American protagonist. So, my recommendation of this book is based less on its function as a list and more as interesting background for people interested in children's lit.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning resource for anyone who loves kids!, April 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: 100 Best Books for Children (Hardcover)

When I first saw this book, I was expecting a list and not much more. But the depth and research that went in to this book is extraordinary! Anita Silvey even knew most of the authors and illustrators for these books personally - you can't get much closer to the sources than that! A delight to read, and full of insightful, delightful historical information and personalized anecdotes, this book would be a perfect addition to anyone's bookshelf, no matter what age!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars pretty good, I'd say, May 26, 2005

By 

Anon. "a mouse" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 100 Best Books for Children (Hardcover)

Yes, the list of books may seem unimaginative, and yes, she may not have your favorite book on the list (FYI, The Big Orange Splot is the best picture book ever written, and it is not in there) BUT it is still a useful book. I shared it with a young kindergarten teacher I know; she had never heard of Ferdinand or some of the other older books.
Obviously, this is not the one essential book to take to your desert island, but I find it useful as a parent/teacher/librarian to go along with my Jim Trelease books, Esme Codell's How to Get Your Child to Love Reading, and other resources.