Reviews (2)

A Bible of Children's Literature
I am finishing up my master's program soon. In doing research onCharlotte Huck, I found this book. It has so much "no nonsense" information in it! Everything Huck has said since the first edition of this book has been right on the money. I am a literacy coach for K-5, and I think that this book is by far the best resource I have. It tells which books to use for certain grade levels, genres, subject areas... AND it tells a little bit about the books that theauthors chose. It is chock full of the history of reading, understanding why literature is the way it is, and resources for all areas. I recommend this book for anyone who teaches reading to children, or has a love of reading to his/her own children!

Children's Literature book personal review
I was required to purchase this book for a college course.I am very thankful that my instructer choose this book.It is full of wonderful examples of appropriate literature for children.I sat down one eveningand read two chapters for the sheer joy of it.The only thing that I wasunhappy with was that there was a lack of children's activities in regardsto the poetry section.All and all, this is a exceptional book for anyoneinterested in children's literature. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. Children's literature    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Elementary    6. Elementary School Language Arts    7. General    8. Juvenile Literature    9. Literature    10. Study and teaching (Elementary)    11. United States   

Reviews (19)

Detailed Info
Very detailed and necessary information for those interested in writing and publishing a childrens book.A wealth of information available at your fingertips 24/7.I would definitely recommend this book for those who are contemplating becoming involved in the childrens book industry.

Please don't speed-read his one.
This book answers questions we never thought to ask. No doubt editors everywhere will be pleased to read submissions that have followed these sugestions. Could be sub-titled "Reduce Rejction Slip Clutter". Please don't speed-read his one.

Good Idiot Book
Enjoyable reading, with great ideas, positive message that if you really want to publish, you can do it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Children's Literature - General    3. Children's literature    4. Composition & Creative Writing - Children's Literature    5. Juvenile Literature    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Marketing    8. Publishing    9. Publishing Guides    10. Reference   

Reviews (1)

Children's Literature for Adults
This book offers indepth information about a variety of topics concerning childrens literature. In the first chapters it focuses on the development of children and their perceptions of literature at different ages. It then informs the reader about the historical development of children's literature. The biggest part of the book, however, is about the different genres of literature available. What I liked about this book was that it offered many examples and reading samples. It also included several essays from children book authors who wrote about their profession. The teaching aids and the recommended reading at the end of each chapter proved helpful. However, some areas of this book, such as this one, are only helpful to people interested in child education as a profession. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children    3. Children's Literature - General    4. Children's literature    5. Education / Teaching    6. History and criticism    7. Literary Criticism    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    9. Education    10. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading    11. English    12. English (ie as school subject)    13. Literature: History & Criticism   

Reviews (15)

Discovering something new.
This book has been a huge help giving words preferred for certain age/grade levels. It is easy to use and a great reference.

Children's Writer's Word Book
This book is a must for any and all childrens authors. It is full
Great Thesaurus for Grade-Level Vocabulary
This book is a super source for grade-level vocabulary in thesaurus format. I write curriculum materials for children, so I need to be sure my diction is grade-level appropriate. This books is a great resource to help me do this. I couldn't work without it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Reference    5. Vocabulary    6. Writing Skills    7. Children's literature studies: general    8. Creative writing guides    9. Literary reference works    10. Reference works    11. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (2)

A Great Book!
This book is very imaginative and well written.James Barrie tells the history side of Peter Pan that most people do not know about.Each chapter tells a different story about Peter Pan's life in the garden.There are stories about Peter Pan living in the trees with the birds, to stories about how the fairies trick the humans who come to visit Kensington Gardens.This book is both funny and sad at parts, and will make you wonder if you were actually owned by a bird at sometime!

More creative than his later, popular stories of Peter.
If you buy this book, definately get an illistrated edition! The fairy images are gorgeous and worth treasuring. The story itself is beautiful: How Peter fell out of his tram, was taught by the birds to fly and finallyreturned home to find the window locked to him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Classics    4. English as a Second Language    5. Foreign Language Study    6. General    7. Language    8. Plays / Drama    9. Classic fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics    11. Literature/English | British Literature | 20th C    12. Modern fiction   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    4. Children's literature studies: general    5. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading    6. Literature: History & Criticism   

Reviews (11)

A terrible disappointment!
I bought this book, hoping for good guidance to help my son, an early reader.After having read the book carefully, I have to say that much of the book is useless.The reasons:
Thank you
I am new in the field of gifted children and this book will be great to use with my students.

Great book!
It is wonderful to find a book that helps you guide your child - ANY child, gifted or not - to exceptional reading material. I loved the books it recommended for my 4 yr old - we picked up several of them at the library and some here on Amazon. The book also pointed out what the exceptional qualities for each book were, so that you could have a better discussion about the book with your child. It was worth the money, since it gives recommendations for ALL ages of child and I will reference it as he grows older. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibliography    2. Books and reading    3. Children's Literature - General    4. Children's literature    5. Education    6. Education / Teaching    7. Gifted children    8. Special Education - Gifted    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    10. United States   

Reviews (9)

Useful Resource - a review of the NY Time Guide to Childrens Books
It's not the end-all of children's book research (Amazon is just as useful) but the NY Times Guide can be a valuable tool and resource for parents in the early years.
For New Parents.If your kids are 6 - up, not for you
This is great for early books, for books for toddlers and early readers.The description gives the impression that it is a guide for many years of childhood.My boys are 7 and 8 and there is nothing in this book for them.
An updated review.
Now is 2005, so this book is four years old.I wanted to write an updated review here to let anyone who is considering a copy of this volume that I think it would be worth it to pick up a used copy for five bucks or so.Obviously, it doesn't include anything that's been published in the last four years, so in that sense, it's utility can be limiting, but most of the books that are reviewed are still in print.One of the book's features that I appreciated the most was that it includes a bibliography of wordless books, and unlike other such lists I have found, most of the books are actually in print and I don't have to try to order a copy from some small press overseas.
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Subjects:  1. Bibliography    2. Books & Reading    3. Books and reading    4. Children    5. Children's Literature - General    6. Children's literature    7. Education    8. Family & Relationships    9. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    10. Family/Marriage    11. Parent participation    12. Parenting - General    13. Reading    14. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (1)

SUCCINCT; EXCELLENT OVERVIEW OF THE ELEMENTS OF CHILDREN'S L
EXCELLENT.PROVIDES A SYNOPSIS OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF LITERATUREFOR CHILDREN.EXAMPLES FROM E.B. WHITE'S CHARLOTTE'S WEB HELPS MAKECONNECTIONS FOR THE READER/STUDENT/LEARNER.SUCCINCT.SUGGESTION FORUPDATE: INCLUDE CURRENT SOCIAL ISSUES AND DIVERSITY, WITHAPPLICATIONS/EXTENDING ACTIVITIES. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children    3. Children's Literature - General    4. Children's literature    5. Education / Teaching    6. History and criticism    7. Juvenile Literature    8. Literary Criticism    9. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    10. Children's literature studies: general    11. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading   

Reviews (19)

Great Information
Very informative for those contemplating writing a childrens book.I am sure I will refer back to this book many times in the next couple of years.Easy to follow based on topic.

Great Resource
I have purchased about 10 "Dummies" books in my life, and this is by far the best of the bunch. This book is packed full of insight, inspiration and information. A must have for aspiring authors of children's books.

IT HELPED ME!
I was a struggling comedy writer when I decided that my writings would benefit none other than the little ones of society. So, I bought this book thinking it would be just a kick start in my kick-[...] career. Yet, as i read over the pages it was awe-inspiring. It helped me to finish my first book THE MORBID DEATH OF LITTLE SALLY PETERSON, which is still looking for a publisher.WOW I LOVE THIS BOOK! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Children's Literature - General    3. Children's literature    4. Composition & Creative Writing - Children's Literature    5. Composition & Creative Writing - General    6. Juvenile Literature    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    10. Writing Skills    11. Creative writing guides    12. Reference / General   

Reviews (8)

What an incredible book!
This is one of the best books I have read!The Velveteen Rabbit has always been a favorite, but this is a must read for every adult.Love is the center of everything, and this author hit it right in the head.Kudos!

Okay read but light on substance
You cant say this is a bad book certainly but unexciting and pretty basic stuff as I guess we should expect based on the title. It offers good advice, certainly not new. An easy read for sure but not a page turner

Velveteen reality
I found this book almost by mistake, and when it arrived I began reading immediately.It is one of the first books in a long time that I was compelled to read in one sitting.Author Toni Raiten-D'Antonio's writing is clear, compassionate, accessible and stimulating.It didn't hurt that the text was crafted around the children's story, 'The Velveteen Rabbit', one of the stories from my childhood that I loved dearly.I recall both the book and the film, and being moved to tears each time, both with the rabbit's becoming real, and the realisation that this reality came with a heavy cost.
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Subjects:  1. 1880-1944    2. 1880-1944.    3. Bianco, Margery Williams,    4. Children's Literature - General    5. Inspirational    6. Motivational & Inspirational    7. Personal Growth - General    8. Personal Growth - Happiness    9. Self-Help    10. Self-actualization (Psychology    11. Self-actualization (Psychology)    12. Self-realization    13. Velveteen rabbit    14. Self-Help / Happiness   

Reviews (42)

This book never leaves my van!
I always carry this book in my minivan so that I'm never without it in the event of an impromptu stop at a bookstore or a library.And I always give it as a gift at baby showers (along with some board books recommended by Jim Trelease as well).Clothes get outgrown, toys break, but books are gifts that just keep on giving --- especially this one.My three sons and I have been introduced to authors and illustrators we would never have even heard of if it wasn't for good ole J.T.Highly recommended; you won't be sorry!

learning to read has the prerequisite of understanding the JOY of reading
The process of learning to read has the prerequisite of ENJOYING reading, and Trelease's book provides a guideline whereby that is easily attainable.
EXCELLENT BOOK!!!A must have for all parents
What a wonderful book!!!And what a fantastic resource!! I am so glad I found this while my children are still babies.Their father is grateful as well since this book has inspired him to take an active part in reading aloud to them.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Elementary    5. General    6. Language Experience Approach    7. Oral reading    8. Reading    9. Reading Education (General)    10. Education / General   

Reviews (19)

Nancy Drew, Facts and Feminism
If you're looking for behind-the-scenes info on Nancy Drew, this is a pretty good source. It's fairly light-reading while still being informative on Edward Stratemeyer (the force behind the book series syndicate that brought us "The Bobsey Twins", "The Hardy Boys", "Nancy Drew", etc), on his daughter Harriet (who, along with her sister, took over the syndicate after his death), and on the feisty ghost writer behind the creation of Nancy Drew, Mildred Wirt Benson. The author presents the two women, as well as the fictional Nancy Drew, as feminist icons (sometimes, straining mightly against the facts). Still, a great deal of research seems to have gone into this book which makes the turbid wade thru feminist waters worth it.

Nancy Drew-- the inside story...by a sleuthing author....FUN
Amazingly fun reading. Melanie Rehak is very detailed and did her sleuthing research on Nancy Drew and the women (and men, YES) who created her. This is Rehak's first book -- but she's known in NY circles for her articles and reviews etc....she does a terrific job tracing Nancy Drew's history and role in popular culture from 1930 to today....80 million books later-- she (Nancy Drew) is a cultural phenom that seems to transcend age and the web. Just in time for summer reading -- did you know the new Nancy Drew movie starring Julie Roberts niece just wrapped and will be heading for theatres soon...The info on the STratemeyers including Ed the dime novel genius and his daughters such as Harriett is fascinating. Kudos to Mildred Wirt Benson-- originally from Ohio I believe....who ctually wrote unde rthe pen name of Carolyn Keene....from The Secret of the Old Clock to the latest incarnations such as Papercutz American Anime Nancy Drew Versions ([...]-- and yes I do know the guys there) you'll find a version and tale of Nancy Drew for everyone. Great gift. Don't worry the book looks old but that's the cover design...There's also a discussion guide available at [...] so you're reading club can add this to your collection....great cocktail party chatter or fun shower gift or Bridesmaid token....enjoy.....!!!!!

An irresistible weave
Author Melanie Rehak does a superb job of weaving together the threads of social history, an enduring character, the women who created the character, the business that sold the character, the woman who ran the business, and the man who started it all. I relished reading all the "inside stories" of how the Nancy Drew and her series came to be. More startling but equally delightful was realizing how thoroughly--and positively--my adult outlook on life was influenced by all those girlhood hours spent in the company of the spunky girl sleuth. Bravo, Melanie Rehak. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Biography / Autobiography    2. Children's Literature - General    3. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    4. Juvenile Literature    5. Literary    6. Literary Criticism    7. Popular Culture - General    8. Women In Literature    9. Social Science / Popular Culture   

Reviews (3)

A to Zoo
Teachers, Children's Libarians, this is a must have book for your reference! A to Zoo:Subject Access to Children's Picture Books
The purpose of this book is to assist teachers, librarians, and parents to select the correct (picture)book for their ideal situation.This resource book would help anyone locate any book which fits their unique need quicklythus saving precious time.By arranging the publication into five partsthe books are extremely easy to locate. A valuable resouce which may beused by teachers, librarians, or parents. Adorable illustions are used witheach new letter of the alphabet. It is the only comprehensive guide of itskind on picture books.The book contains 18,000 titles catalogued undermore that 1,000 subjects.

selecting children's literature
This book categorizes thousands of children's books (pre-k through 2nd grade) for easy selection of books to meet your needs/interests.Look under almost any topic and find relevant children's picture books. It isparticularly helpful for elementary teachers and librarians. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibliographies & Indexes    2. Children's Literature - General    3. Children's literature, English    4. Education    5. General    6. Indexes    7. Literature - Classics / Criticism    8. Picture books for children    9. Preschool & Kindergarten    10. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    11. Children's literature studies: general    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science   

Reviews (1)

Good Reading
This book is easy to read and lots of information for the beginning writer or those who are contemplating being a writer.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Children's Literature - General    3. Children's literature    4. Composition & Creative Writing - Children's Literature    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Literary Criticism    7. Marketing    8. Publishing    9. Creative writing guides    10. Literary Criticism & Collections / Children's Literature   

Reviews (17)

Tragic loss of dear illusions ...
I read this book over 15 years ago in an attempt to find out who the author of Peter Pan really was, and what his life was like. It was not a pleasant or easy read. I wanted to forget all about it and just have the enchantment of "Peter Pan," but as with the real life of the author and photographer of "Alice in Wonderland," the truth can wound deeply. But lies and half-truths can never reveal the relationship between biography and art, so one must often face much disturbing information in order to understand the art itself. This is not to say that art is reducible to biography; it is not. There is, nevertheless, a kind of dialectic (God, I do hate to sound so gawdawful jargony, but when it so plain, other words just do not work) between the life of a genius and the art of the same individual. The truth of art can only come from the struggle between an artist's vision and the life that made such a vision a necessity. Yes, a necessity: there are those artists whose lives were so fraught with sheer catastrophe that revelation through a skewed fantasy can be so powerful as to take on a "life" of its own. And this is why it is so grievous to "paint-over" the unpleasant details of such a life. There was a recent film with an appropriately disturbing title: in the attempt to not really "find" Neverland in Barrie's life, the art itself is drained of its truly tragic roots. At the time such "nice" little fantasies are presented, they seem so harmless, but they are not. Successful attempts to eradicate truth can also eradicate the depth of the art itself. "Neverland" is a word that begs a little attention: a land where children "never grow up." This is not to say that they physically die - no - instead they live their lives, as did Barrie, in a desolate, lifeless, and desperately lonely "land" and try, from within their internal isolation, to bring others along for the rides to nowhere and "never." Where else could such a person bring another? If one lives in "Neverland" of the mind, there is nowhere else to lead another - nowhere else to go. And if we do not face unpleasant truths as they are revealed in the crucible where life and art meet, we learn nothing further from the art. It is better, actually, to know nothing of an artist's life than to be fed untruths. I would suggest the readers either read this book and/or see Peter Pan, but would urge them *not* to see Peter Pan after experiencing a false represenation - no matter how "well-performed" the falsehood is presented. The play or story would be meaningless. The truths, whatever you choose to make of them are here in this book, like it or not. And once the genie is out of the bottle (such as when you have been fed a disingenuous Hollywood film or other disingenuous account), to refrain from the truths of an artist's life is a violation of the art. No one can any longer understand or be truly moved by Peter Pan, much less try to interpret it based upon a sugar-coated Hollywood paint-job. And the effect goes on: if other artists were inspired by Barrie's work (perhaps because it touched the nerves of their own catastrophic lives), and all we have is a candy-coated film, their art and whatever in their lives might have inpired their interest in Barrie's work is also distorted. I do not know if truth sets anyone "free," but I do know that untruths distort and harm. And then the distortion goes on . . . This book cuts deep, but struggles for truths, which is what a biography of an artistic genius should try very hard to do.

Tragic and Beautiful
Prompted by the movie "Finding Neverland" I wanted to learn more about the Davies family and their relationship with Barrie.My research lead me to this book.The tragic story of the boys and Barrie was an eye opening read.Birkin is an artful weaver of ancedotes, interviews and history.While I was reading the book I got lost.I started feeling like I was an intimate friend of the families, instead of curious observer. Furthermore, Birkin's website has been updated with more pictures and media files. The website coupled with the book really saturates you into the life of the 5 boys and the mindof the man who loved them very much. A beautiful account of a flawed and tragic life.

Interesting Book
Here many people have written many things.Only I have written nothing.I just wanted to register my approval. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (James Matthew),    2. 1860-1937    3. 1903-1980    4. 20th century    5. Adopted children    6. Authors, Scottish    7. Barrie, J. M    8. Biography    9. Biography & Autobiography    10. Biography / Autobiography    11. Biography/Autobiography    12. Children's Literature - General    13. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    14. Father figures    15. General    16. Great Britain    17. Literary    18. Llewelyn Davies, Nicholas,    19. Biography & Autobiography / Literary    20. Biography: general    21. Children's literature studies: general    22. English    23. Literary studies: 19th century    24. Literary studies: from c 1900 -    25. Plays & playwrights: 19th century    26. Scotland    27. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (8)

Good resource
I have a 2year old son and want to get him on the road to reading as quickly as possible...with the result of loving it.Studies show that by the age of 8, if boys are not shown how important reading is, they will just simply quit doing it, unless they have to.THis book will help you get good books in their hands and get them loving reading.

Some good suggstions, but not boy-centered
Some good recommendations, but I was hoping for more books that would provide great role models for my son.Instead I found many books that seemed to be aimed at teaching diversity - a worthy goal, but surely not the only goal for our sons.I was also disappointed by the number of books about boys with absent or downright rotten fathers. The lists provide a great start!
According to essay writer Bruce Brooks, he believes that society makes it hard for boys who like to read, especially as they get older. His interpretation is that if boys are reading, they are questioned as to why? and coaxed to engage in other things instead of reading. He doesn't see society treating girls this way when they are reading.
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Subjects:  1. Bibliographies Of Juvenile Literature    2. Bibliography    3. Books & Reading    4. Books and reading    5. Boys    6. Children's Literature - General    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Library & Information Science    10. Library Services For Specific Groups    11. Reference    12. Reference / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Elementary    5. Elementary School Language Arts    6. Literature    7. Preschool & Kindergarten    8. Reading (Elementary)    9. Study and teaching (Elementary    10. Study and teaching (Elementary)    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    12. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading    13. Primary / junior schools   

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children    3. Children's Literature - General    4. Children's literature    5. History and criticism    6. Juvenile Literature    7. Literary Criticism    8. Nonfiction    9. Nonfiction - General    10. Literary Criticism & Collections / Children's Literature    11. Literary studies: general   

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children    3. Children's Literature - General    4. Children's literature    5. History and criticism    6. Literary Criticism    7. Literature - Classics / Criticism    8. Children's literature studies: general    9. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading