Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's Literature

by Elizabeth Laraway Wilson

Book Overview

This comprehensive guide provides an overview of excellently written, interest-holding books on as wide a range of topics as possible--books that embody the ideals of traditional values and a Christian world view. "Books Children Love" is intended to bring children and fine books together.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0891074414
• ISBN13: 9780891074410
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Crossway Books
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

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One of the Best Book List Books Available for Christian Worldview

There are a number of annotated book list books available for Christian parents and teachers, and this is one of the best. In her introduction, Wilson explains that her philosophy grows out of Charlotte Mason's concept of "living books," and states that to be included in her list titles must be: (1) interesting to children, (2) of excellent literary quality, and (3) reflective of a view of human life that does not conflict with Judeo-Christian moral and ethical values. The preface is written by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay (daughter of Francis Schaeffer, a leading thinker in formulating the concept of the Christian worldview). While I haven't read every title recommended, in general Wilson's selections seem to be well within the bounds of her criteria. Her eye for literary quality, reader interest and moral value is good. She does make some recommendations that I disagree with (for example, Hatchet by Gary Paulson, The Yearling by Marjorie Rawlings, and A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond), primarily because they express a cultural view of childhood and the role of parents that I believe is unbiblical. Unlike many other book lists, this one includes not only fiction and biography sections, but also a number of nonfiction topics such as music, geography, science, mathematics, performing arts, and the natural world. This makes the book an excellent supplement to a young reader's formal education. The chapters are organized by topic, and the reading level is given for individual citations. Obviously, adults need to read the titles rather than merely selecting them on someone else's say-so, but Wilson's recommendation is an excellent place to begin. And in that five minutes before the library closes, four out of five times you can count on her to provide you with a good take-home read.

great resource for children's books

I'm a homeschool mom of 4 with a degree in English, but sometimes I need help and guidance when selecting books for my children, particularly nonfiction. I love Charlotte Mason's idea of living books, books that are not textbooks and that are well-written and appealing to children without being "twaddle." This is an excellent resource for any parent, teacher, or children's librarian. My children have loved the books we've chosen from the library that were suggested by Wilson. I'd highly recommend it!

GOOD

THIS IS GOOD IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION WITH LIVING BOOKS... AND YOU NEED A GUIDE TO POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I BOUGHT THIS THINKING IT WOULD HELP ME TO SUPPLEMENT A TEXTBOOK-BASED HOMESCHOOLING CURRICULUM, BUT FOUND THAT MOST OF THE BOOKS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT OUR LOCAL LIBRARY... IT IS STILL A GOOD REFERENCE IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR GOOD BOOKS TO PURCHASE FOR BIRTHDAYS, ETC THAT CARRY A GOOD MESSAGE

Book list and summaries of many book topics

This book was written as a listing of books for children, of many topics. I want to make it clear that this is not just a book list of children's fiction. There are different books on the market that list only works of fiction. This book includes lists of books for these subjects: animals, art and architecture, bible/spiritual teaching, biography, crafts, hobbies, domestic arts, dance, drama, geography, history, horticulture, humor, language, literature (in several reading levels), poetry, rhymes, math, misc. music, outdoor activities other than group games, physical education, reference, science, technology, and special days and seasons. This book was written by a homeschooler who is using the Charlotte Mason method. The Charlotte Mason method uses real books also known as living books, (not textbooks or boxed curriculum). This method allows the individual to use many different books written by people who are passionate about the subject to learn about a particular topic or unit of study. Living books are great books, books that capture the attention or imagination of the reader. Living books are not boring or uninspiring. I appreciate having this reference guide available to me, a pre-sorted list written by a user of the Charlotte Mason method, someone on the lookout for quality and inspiring books. It helps sift out the exceptional books from the unremarkable. OK so this was published in 1987 and any book list that is written poses the risk of immediately containing out of print books. The fact that this book is 14 years old (at the time I of this writing) adds to the possibility that some of these books will be out of print. I see that other reviewers don't like book lists that contain out of print books. I appreciate a listing that contains out of print books, because besides shopping for new books, I also shop at local used book stores, online used book store and online out of print book stores. It is helpful to know about a great book and be on the lookout for that at a used bookstore (or by simply doing an online search for that title). As a homeschooling parent, our family library is growing and I do appreciate the ability to buy used books for sometimes as low as one or two dollars, and end up with better quality book than some currently-in-print, more expensive, new book. Let's not also forget that our public libraries are full of out-of-print books, and that library used book sales are another source of finding great books that are out-of-print. In defense of the author, to further complicate matters books come in and out of print...one never knows when a previously out of print book will go back into circulation. If you are looking for a book of children's fiction lists that deletes out of print books, see "The Read Aloud Handbook"-with each revision the author deletes the out of print books and only includes the in print books (at the time of the printing, of course). I appreciate the detailed index, which allows easy scanning by

A wonderful source to the best in wholesome children's books

This book is arranged by subject and reading level. There is a good variety of choices, and the books listed have all been evaluated to be wholesome and reinforce proper priorities, human relationships and good attitudes. There are wonderful classic books and newer books also. My child has enjoyed every title we have read from the booklists.