The Children's Book of Virtues (Hardcover)

by William J. Bennett (Editor), Michael Hague (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Ages 4^-8. Using portions of his best-selling adult work Book of Virtues, former secretary of education William Bennett teams up with artist Michael Hague to create a collection of stories, poems, and fables in a format more suitable for children. Noting in his introduction that his goal is to further the "moral education of the young," Bennett has chosen selections to illustrate 10 virtues, which he further divides into four groups, among them, courage/perseverance and compassion/faith. Many selections, such as the Aesop fables, are easily found elsewhere, but Bennett has also included some full-length versions of poems and tales known only vaguely today. A few selections seem badly dated or unbearably heavy-handed (for example, the story of the boy whose "please" didn't get enough fresh air so it ran away to another boy's mouth), and the apocryphal tale of George Washington and the cherry tree should have been labeled as such. Hague's plentiful artwork adds enormously to the charm of the collection. In keeping with each selection, his style ranges widely, from the comical to the lushly romantic and sweetly old-fashioned. Susan Dove Lempke

Review
Children will enjoy this book together with their parents: it requires good reading skills or parental intervention but presents a set of fine stories and colorful illustrations of virtues ranging from work and self-discipline to faith and loyalty. The old-fashioned pictures and virtues extolled will please parents seeking to instill values in the very young. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1st edition (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068481353X
• ISBN-13: 978-0684813530
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,838 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is great for kids!, June 6, 1999

By A Customer

My name is David. I am eight years old. I am reading The Children's Book of Virtues, edited by William J. Bennett. My favorite story so far is "The Honest Woodman." It is about a poor woodcutter who looses his old axe in a river. A water fairy brought up a silver axe and a gold axe. The woodcutter said that they were not his. When she brought up his steel axe, he said it was his. The water fairy gave him all the axes for telling the truth. Telling the truth is very important.

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Morals, Good Stories, Well Illustrated, May 19, 2000

By A Customer

We're on our second read through of this book of children's morality tales.

With poems, short homilies and stories, Bill Bennett entertains young children as life's good lessons are imparted. The accompanying illustrations are visually delightful.

Some of the stories, because of word usage, appeal to a slightly older audience than my four and five year olds, but they can appreciate most of the vignettes. A good book that helps parents in childhood instruction.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Children's Book of Virtues, May 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Children's Book of Virtues, The (Audio Cassette)

This is an excellent book to read to your young ones (4+) The stories are old yet the principles are ageless. The children will curl up and live these tales. I find myself truely enjoying this special time. When they get to six or seven I would strongly recommend moving to the Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett. The stories will sweep you and the children away. MY childrens favorite time is reading these stories. They actually ask for the book and seldom does anything else draw such smiles and "Thank You Daddys". Enjoy the experience.