Customer Reviews

100 Best Books for Children

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

As a former bookseller and librarian, I was often asked by confused parents and grandparents for book suggestions for children of a particular age. This wonderful book belongs on every family's bookshelf, not only because it will suggest the next good book to read, but because it gives a tantalizing look at the stories behind each book--and that always makes reading more fun. You're sure to find your own favorites here, as well as books you haven't come across. Even if you've read every one of these books, you'll enjoy the chatty tone of the book descriptions. I couldn't put the book down!

Looking for a book to give a new parent? A new grandparent? Think of this gift first--because you're expressing the importance of reading for another family. More importantly, buy it for yourself ... and enjoy!

This book operates on many levels, in ways that I had not initially expected. Althought not a parent, I dearly love to buy books as presents for the various children in my life. Thus I bought this book to help me find suitable books to give for Christmas, birthdays, etc. The minute I started to read this book(which is full of charming anecdotes and history about the writing and illustrating of many childhood favorites, as well as about a number of more contemporary books with which I was not familiar), I realized what a wonderful resource it would be for new parents. I have now given it to 3 friends/family members with children, as well as to another friend who is halfway through writing and illustrating her first children's book. Finally, as an aging "baby boomer" myself, I can enjoy reading it to wax nostalgic over my own favorite childhood books. All in all, a very satisfying book, for a variety of reasons. Enjoy it!

This is a delightful book, filled with treasures for the reader, be s/he parent, librarian, writer, or fan of children's literature. Through lots of research and her extensive knowledge of the field, Silvey relates the stories and anecdotes behind some of the greatest books of our time. Readers will discover that Robert McCloskey fed ducks wine so he could sketch them for MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, that Brian Jacques of REDWALL fame went to the same school as Paul McCartney and George Harrison, and that THE STORY OF FERDINAND was censored by Franco and Hitler--but accused of promoting fascism in the US.
Here also are wonderful details of how much work, creative and editorial, goes into the making of a book that will stand the tests of time, rereading, and children's requests for "just one more chapter." Buy this and use it, forgetting about the ephemeral celebrity books now crowding the racks of your local superstore. Best of all, it's lots of fun to read. Terrific supplemental lists, too!

I can't stop looking at this book! There are three kids in our family and this book offers wonderful reading suggestions for every age and then books to think about for the future. I don't want them to miss the exciting reading experience of any of the treasures in this list. More than just a reference, though, this book is fun to read and makes me feel like an insider! Now I can share not only the best books with my children, but the stories behind the books! Get this book and do something great for your family!

I sat down and read this book from cover to cover. It was fascinating. Not only was it fun to see if I agreed with Ms. Silvey's choices for best books, but there is so much behind-the-scenes information here, I felt enticed to read or re-read each of the books on her list. Every parent, grandparent, teacher, and librarian will find this book not only useful but inspirational.

As a teacher and grandmother-to-be, I am glad to have this book. It will be so helpful when recommending or purchasing books for the pre-schooler as well as the older reader. The stories behind the stories are so interesting! The reading journal at the back of the book is a clever addition! Thanks for the GREAT RESOURCE!

I bought this book, like most people, to help me find appropriate books for my children as they grow. I was an avid reader from third grade on, but I mostly read Nancy Drew and other thrillers (R.L. Stine & Christopher Pike, and eventually Stephen King), so other than the required reading in school and an odd book here and there, I wasn't very familiar with children books. And going into the book store can be overwhelming because there is just so much to choose from, and I really wanted what we would be reading worthwhile.

At first I was a little disappointed in the list, because as my children are 2 and younger, I was particularly interested in that age group, but there was only five books listed under this category (board books). However, after discovering the "beyond the 100 Best" list in the back of the book, I was no longer disappointed. Here she has several lists which include: Preschool Books, Alphabet Books, Counting Books, Nursery Rhymes, Animal/Horse Stories, Dog Stories, Fantasy, Animal Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Survival Stories, Classics, Information Books, Multicultural Books, Myths, Legends and Folklore, Poetry, and Books to Help Locate Other Titles.

In addition to these many lists, she also has the main lists from the book, but includes many other books besides those discussed. These lists are: Board Books (referred as Preschool Books in the list in the back of the book), Picture Books, Books for Beginning Readers, Books for Young Readers, Books for Middle Readers, and Books for Older Readers.

In the main part of the book, each book on the list gets a page or two of information about it (whereas, the lists in the back of the book are just lists of titles and their authors). The information usually has some kind of background of the author (and illustrator if it had one) and how the book came to be, and the reaction of the public to it. I thought much of this information to be very interesting and enlightening at times. I think anyone who loves children literature would enjoy this book simply for all the background information it contains.

As for the content of the actual books listed, I thought it was pretty good. But not being very familiar with children's literature, I am no expert. I recognized many titles that I had to read in school (Bridge to Terabithia, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Johnny Tremain, and Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl), as well as a few that I read on my own (including Little House in the Big Woods, The Secret Garden, Redwall, Rabbit Hill, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Pippi Longstocking, and the Hobbit). It also reminded me of some long lost books (such as Behind the Attic Wall and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler).

It definitely introduced me to many wonderful titles that I had either never heard of or never read before (including Millions of Cats, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and The Hundred Dresses.) There are many more that I can't wait to read, especially after reading some of the background information on them. I didn't give the book five stars simply because I am greedy! I would have loved the lists in the back of the book to have all of that background information too! Also, I would have liked to have seen more titles in the board books in the main list.

Overall I would highly recommend this book to new parents who would like to start to build a library for their children, especially if they are not very familiar with children's literature. If the main 100 list doesn't help you out, definitely check out the lists in the back of the book, as many more titles are included there (I actually photocopied these and handed them out to family members as birthday requests). I would also recommend it to anyone who loves children's literature, not for the list, but for all of the interesting background information.