Reviews (5)

Valerie and Walter's best books for children
Having attended one of Walter's workshops on book selection, I look forward to his updated books.He is, as he says, opinionated, but he backs up his opinions with solid expertise.Unlike other "guide" books, his is a lot of fun to read, which in this over-information age, is an important consideration when choosing reference books.

LOADS OF INFORMATION AND ADVICE
Best Books for Children, 2nd Ed is a book to be valued. It's comprehensive and crossed-referenced. A 560-page reference guide featuring best books for children--fiction and nonfiction-though age eleven. Book information includes: title, author, illustrator, format, publisher, themes and sometimes comments from Valerie and Walter. The themes are single word descriptions. Parents will know exactly what is in the book. The book is divided into parts according to a book's listening or interest level. Also, instead of using reading ages, they use general ranges, such as "all, baby, preschoolers, early elementary, middle elementary, and pre-adolescents." Other options for this are better
Compared to other similar books, this book is difficult to navigate and difficult to use.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibliographies & Indexes    2. Bibliographies Of Juvenile Literature    3. Bibliography    4. Books and reading    5. Children    6. Children's Literature - General    7. Children's literature    8. Family/Marriage    9. Readers    10. Reference    11. United States    12. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (1)

100 Years of Peter Pan 1904-2004
This book is a MUST for anyone who likes Peter Pan.It contains the entire text of the 1904 version of the stage play "Peter Pan," which is the basic text used by the Broadway-musical version of the play.That's how it all began!This book also contains a long section of footnotes & historical background, invaluable for any Peter Pan fan.(James M. Barrie's novel about Peter Pan was written 7 years after the play & does NOT contain much of the dialog of the play.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. Classics    3. Drama    4. General    5. Plays    6. Plays / Drama    7. Shakespeare    8. Drama texts: 19th century    9. Drama texts: from c 1900 -    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Drama    11. Literature/English | British Literature | 20th C   

Reviews (11)

Charming insights on the man
Lewis is largely known for his "Screwtape Letters," "Chronicles of Narnia," and "Mere Christianity." He ranges from the steeply theological to captivating children's fiction.What "Letters to Children" does is bridge the two worlds.
Letters from a Gracious Man
Every time I read another book by C.S. Lewis I become more grateful for his life and his writings.This book is a gem, and a wonderful window into Lewis' soul.He answers these children's letters with self-effacing grace and humor, and with a sincere respect for their opinions and their dignity.While being a great writer has no particular connection with being a good person, this book is, to me, irresistable evidence of Lewis' personal goodness.The Angler (as he once referred to God in "Surprised by Joy") snared a fine specimen when he snared the soul of C.S. Lewis.

A bit lacking
This is one book I had wanted to read for along time. It just seemed like an excellent idea to be able to experience an author in this extraordinary way, communicating with his number one fans: kids.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. Christianity - Literature    3. General    4. Letters    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Religion    7. Children's literature studies: general    8. Religion / General   

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. Literature - Classics / Criticism    9. Literary Criticism & Collections / General    10. Literary studies: general   

Reviews (4)

Comments from the author:
*Reader-friendly text that has relevance for both teachers and parents
Must have for teachers and parents
This is not only full of interesting facts and details about the genres of children's literature, it is fun to read!Parents and teachers will enjoy using this book as a reference for hundreds of current book titles available for children.There are several activities to excite children about reading as well as fascinating facts about many different chidren's books authors.The review of deciphering the dewey decimal system to locate books is beneficial for quick reference in the library. Its simply the best resource for children's literature, its a must have for all teachers and parents!

Exceptional book
This book has great value for parents who want their children to be strong readers and excel in school. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children    3. Children's literature    4. Education    5. Education / Teaching    6. Elementary    7. History and criticism    8. Study and teaching (Elementary    9. Study and teaching (Elementary)    10. Teaching Methods & Materials - Reading    11. Children's literature studies: general    12. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading    13. English    14. English (ie as school subject)    15. Literature: History & Criticism   

Reviews (22)

confusing
unless you have a degree in physics, i wouldn't recommend this book.i had a very hard time wrapping my mind around alot of the concepts.the book also has very little to do with harry potter and much more to do with all of the scientific advances out there that semi-resemble things from the books.

Fantastic!
I loved this book.Behind every 'old wives' tale is a body that ate a certain substance or an occurance that happens every time certain conditions are met.I loved the quote "that the highest form of technology is indistinguishable from magic".The country people are 'superstitious' and the learned are 'factual'.Those who are adept at manipulating matter are witches.
Critical Account of Scientific Reading
For a piece of school A level coursework, I chose the book - The Science of Harry Potter - By Roger Highfield. His best-known work to date gives a flavour for the kind of writer he is, `Can Reindeers Fly?' a discussion on the science of Christmas.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. General    3. Literary Criticism    4. Literature - Classics / Criticism    5. Magic    6. Popular works    7. Potter, Harry (Fictitious character)    8. Science    9. Science Fiction & Fantasy    10. Science / Study & Teaching   

Reviews (2)

Useful but flawed
This book focuses on the history of English children's fantasy literature over the past several centuries.
the ideal storyrepresents the biblical view ofwisdom
The ideal tale teaches moral wisdom as represented in the Book of Proverbs; the fairy godmother represents Dame Wisdom. Goldthwaite presents a rare Christian literary point of view and criticizes writers whorepresent the world in some gnostic or pagan point of view.He does notbother to argue the validity of his point of view.He believes. Earth andthe Heavans are God's.Writers who do not reflect this are either hereticsor pagans From his position akin to Dante's, you may sense how much ofmodern literature inhabits either limbo or hell. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children    3. Children's Literature - General    4. Children's literature    5. Classics    6. Fantasy literature    7. Fiction    8. History and criticism    9. Juvenile Literature    10. Literature - Classics / Criticism    11. Literature: Classics    12. Science Fiction & Fantasy    13. Children's literature studies: general    14. Europe    15. Literary Criticism & Collections / European    16. Literary studies: general    17. Literature/English | Mythology & Folklore    18. USA    19. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

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

Reviews (2)

Excellent Reference- MUST HAVE- Authors did the work for busy parents
Excellent book for fine children's literature with African-Americans.
An excellent resource- comprehensive and age specific
This is a one-of-a-kind resource written by parents for parents. 500 books are reviewed and categorized by age and reading ability. The descriptions are uniquely kid-focused and include key indicators such as "containsCarribean dialect" or "use of the 'N word'").This bookwould make a great gift to friends with African American children or aschool library. Even those with an extensive collection of books featuringAfrican American children and adults will find something new and promising. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Literature    2. African American authors    3. African Americans    4. African Americans in literature    5. American - African American & Black    6. American literature    7. Bibliographies & Indexes    8. Bibliographies Of Juvenile Literature    9. Bibliography    10. Books & Reading    11. Children's Literature - General    12. Juvenile literature    13. Literature - Classics / Criticism    14. Reference    15. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    16. Black studies    17. Children's literature studies: general    18. English    19. Family & Relationships / General    20. USA   

Subjects:  1. Books and reading    2. Children's Studies    3. High school students    4. Reading (Secondary)    5. Reading interests    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Teenagers    9. Adolescents    10. Children's literature studies: general   

Reviews (1)

An accompanying CD-ROM allows for quick browsing
The collaborative effort of Patrick Jones, Patricia Taylor, and Kirsten Edwards, A Core Collection For Young Adults recommends 1,200 titles for public libraries as well as junior and high school libraries. Each noteworthy title is presented with a brief yet accurate plot summary, title, author, price and ISBN number. An accompanying CD-ROM allows for quick browsing and reference of the information concerning these vital and quality recommended titles on one's computer. A Core Collection For Young Adults is very strongly recommended for school and community librarians charged with the responsibility of building and maintaining Young Adult materials in both fiction and non-fiction categories. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibliographies & Indexes    2. Book lists    3. Books and reading    4. Children's Literature - General    5. Collection Development And Management    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Library & Information Science    9. Library Services For Young Adults    10. Preteens    11. Reference    12. Teenagers    13. United States    14. Young adults' libraries    15. Acquisitions & collection development    16. Library & information services   

Reviews (10)

Updated version and based on original
This version is a letter sized paperback, with heavy, slick paper
Go for the Original, Not This
The original is a neat classic. This is a modern re-make (new drawings, "corrected" for a more modern audience), and strays from the quality of the original. Struwwelpeter
This is an excellent read. In reference to the advice of most readers of Struwwelpeter to NOT let children read this book, I would like to quote Terry Pratchet: "...it was much earlier than that when most people forgot that the very oldest stories are, sooner or later, about blood. Later on they tookt he blood out to make the stories more acceptable to children, or at least to the people who read them to children rather than the children themselves (who, on the whole, are quite keen on blood provided it's being shed by the deserving. That is to say, those who deserve to shed blood. Or possibly not. You never quite know with some kids.)"Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. Children's literature    3. Children's stories, German    4. Fiction    5. Literature - Classics / Criticism    6. Popular Culture - General    7. Short stories    8. Social Science    9. Translations into English   

Reviews (4)

A Must Have!
I have met Tomie dePaola.This book was the next best thing to seeing him again.The text gives you insight into dePaola as an author and illustrator and a person.Many of dePaloa's books are based on events that have actually taken place in his life.Barbara Elleman shares pictures of dePaola's childhood and his memories with the reader.By the end of the book I felt as if I knew dePaola personaly.Elleman also gives the reader lots of information about dePaola's books and fine art.THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR EDUCATORS, CHILDRENS' LITERATURE BUFFS, AND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE MAN BEHIND THE BOOKS THAT MANY CHILDREN AND ADULTS LOVE TO READ OVER AND OVER!!!!!!!!

This is a wonderful book!
I've always thought one of Tomie dePaola's gifts was his ability to create books and artwork that were accessible.He is one of the masters of the children's book world.Barbara Elleman has created a book that is also accessible.It can be enjoyed by all ages, I believe.And, it isn't JUSTa book for Tomie dePaola's fans.She ends her "introduction" bywriting, "I hope I have done his work justice."Yes, BarbaraElleman, you have!But, NOW I want to know more.Barbara Elleman doesn'tclaim to have written a biography.She claims to give a "hint of theman behind the art" and the stories.Trina Schart Hyman, in herpreface, hints that Tomie dePaola is a complex person.Barbara Ellemanhints that Tomie dePaola opened his files for her.Barbara Elleman, if heopened ALL of his "files" for you, maybe next you should write aBIOGRAPHY of Tomie dePaola.I believe YOU could do him justice.

A masterful biography of Tomie's life & artwork.
Barbara Elleman has done an excellent job of depicting Tomie dePaola as an artist and author who loves what he does and the people he does it for.Though the text is geared toward adults, itserves as a reference for alldePaola fans.Even children will enjoy looking at the extensivephotographsand illustrations of Tomie's artwork over the years.Though Tomie is aworldwide figure in the field of children's literature; Barbara presentshim as a warm loving human being with family and friends.These aspects ofhis personality make it very easy for children to relate to him as a friendwho has had experiences very much like their own.From Barbara's researchand writing, fans of all ages are inspired by this artist-author.Owning acopy of this book is a must for all Tomie dePaola fans. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American - General    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Authors, American    5. Authorship    6. Biography    7. Biography & Autobiography    8. Children's Literature - General    9. Children's stories    10. De Paola, Tomie    11. General    12. Illustrators    13. Individual Artist    14. Juvenile Literature    15. Literary    16. Literary Criticism    17. United States    18. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (8)

Guide to Life?
If this wasn't written with tongue in check, then I misinterpreted a lot of these little "guides".Some were a bit outdated, but hey, that just part of the entertainment of this mini book.

Nancy Drew mini book
I got this as a gift, and I love it!! It is a cute miniature book filled with sayings from Nancy Drew books. They are allspunky sayings, just like Nancy Drew. Overall, it is a great gift for any Nancy Drew fan.

this book is awesome!
Nancy Drew's Guide to life is a MUST HAVE for every Nancy Drew fan!!There are some serious things in it, and then there are some absolutely outrageuos tips and advice.I love this book!It is really fun to read and its hilarious!Love Nancy Drew?You'll love this.Like her a little?You'll love it even more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. Mystery & Detective Fiction    3. Non-Classifiable    4. Novelty    5. Personal Growth - General    6. Psychology    7. Fiction    8. General & Literary Fiction    9. Gift books for children   

Reviews (2)

Fantastic for Read-Aloud Guide
As a parent of a 5 year old and 2 year old, I am constantly looking for relevant reading lists that will promote a prolific Read-Aloud experience for our daughter at home. "Literature for Lively Lessons" combines opportunities from calendar events (ie. seasons, holidays, author birthdays) and weekly themes with curriculum subject connections (predominately social studies, geography, science, and language arts).We are entering our third month of using this guide on a weekly basis for selecting picture books.Out of 20 suggested books, we generally select 5-7.So far I have only been disappointed with one recommended book.Overall, this is a resource that will be relevant to our family read-aloud experience every week at least for the next 4-5 years!

Great resource for parents Pre K - 2nd grade.
After wondering how to start teaching my preschooler more in depth material than just alphabet and numbers,I began looking for a book to guide me in the right direction. This book is the one I've chosen to use. It is a weekly-themed list of picture books for the entire year. The book is easily organized into themes such as: Alaska, weather, poetry, friends, grandparents, butterflies, different cultures, etc. It also includes teaching strategies and interesting holidays. Each Sunday we make a trip to the library and get the books for the upcomming week. This book helped me to organize lessons by weekly themes, which then gives me a starting place to also add crafts and local activites. Great ideas for kids of all ages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Books & Reading    2. Books and reading    3. Children    4. Children's Literature - General    5. Children's literature    6. Education    7. Education / Teaching    8. Guidance & Orientation    9. Lesson planning    10. Study and teaching (Primary)    11. Teaching Methods & Materials - Classroom Planning    12. United States    13. Education / Guidance & Orientation    14. Teaching skills & techniques   

Reviews (1)

Hooked on Library Skills
This book might have worked fine 10 years ago but now it is outdated.Hooked on Library Skills pays no attention to the electronic age and meets few of the standards required for information technology.Many lessons teach children about card catalogues rather than how to access electronic resources. There were few lessons I could use in this book to teach K - 5. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity programs    2. Children's Literature - General    3. Education    4. Elementary school libraries    5. Library & Information Science    6. Library orientation for school    7. Library orientation for school children    8. Reference    9. School Libraries    10. Library & information services   

Subjects:  1. Children's libraries    2. Education    3. Library & Information Science    4. Reference    5. United States    6. Children's literature studies: general    7. Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science    8. Library & information services   

Reviews (1)

Provides many important insights to parents & teachers alike
The steep price tag of this college-level reference will limit its acquisition to only the most specialized of collections; but there's much discussion of multicultural literature in education today, and any school or curriculum serious about its importance will find Multicultural Literature For Children & Young Adults to be an essential reference. This examines the foundations of issues related to such literature, critiquing multicultural literature both individually and as a whole, and analyzing the role of authors and readers in contributing to the experience. The result is not the expected bibliography of works; but a critical assessment of the field as a whole which provides many important insights to parents and teachers alike. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Literature - General    2. Education / Teaching    3. Higher    4. Literature - Classics / Criticism    5. Research    6. Education-Higher    7. Education-Research    8. Literary Criticism & Collections / Children's Literature   

Reviews (8)

Definitive
No repeats of the due praise by previous reviewers. If you have never read Huck Finn before, do not start here, the annotations would make it difficult to read with a curious eye to the margin notes breaking up the flow, like watching a DVD movie with the director comments turned on. But do come back when your done a non-annotated version (or even audio); travel down the river again with the annotations by your side, here as lengthy as the book over again, a whole new magical worlds awaits in the margins; you will discover the hidden depths and meanings of one of the most important literary works about America ever written. An amazing book lovingly produced.

Great Edition of a great American classic
Mark Twain opined that a classic is a book everyone wants to own but nobody reads!
Wonderful insight into an American classic
I purchased this book for my son, a high school student who was assigned HUCKLEBERRY FINN in an American Studies class, and promptly fell in love with it. The commentary is delightful, and the many illustrations (many taken from the original edition,) photographs, prints, cartoons, and maps give a real sense of time and place. Homey details that might not be familiar to the modern reader are explained in some detail, as are customs of the time. The author includes material from Twain's notes and details about his life, always in a manner that illuminates the passage. Read more

Subjects:  1. 1835-1910    2. Action & Adventure    3. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn    4. Books & Reading    5. Children's Literature - General    6. Classics    7. Fiction    8. Finn, Huckleberry (Fictitious    9. Finn, Huckleberry (Fictitious character)    10. Literary Criticism    11. Literature - Classics / Criticism    12. Male friendship    13. Runaway children    14. Twain, Mark 1835-1910    15. Twain, Mark,    16. 19th century fiction    17. Twain, Mark   

Reviews (6)

NOT for the serious study of Alice illustrations
What a dissapointment this book was, having bought it online, I was unable to flip through it's pages first. If you want to seriously study the various illustrators of Alice, don't bother with this book. analyzing Alice
It is not for those who have not read the book itself nor watched the movie. It is a book for those who question the 'queer ways' of Lewis Carroll's masterpiece. Alice in Wonderland has been one of those classicbooks that most took for granted, but it is not really just for kids who'dbe amused by the cheshire cat and all the other interesting characters. Thebook, The Art of Alice in Wonderland, rekindles what the real sense of thiswonderful story is: It is written by an adult to let kids see andunderstand the humor of the ways of adults. The book analyzes therepresentation that Lewis Carroll gave to each of the events and thecharacters. It is a not as fictitious as most think. There are events inthe book that are actually seen in our lives, often unconciously by most ofus. The author shows how the conversations between Alice and the othercharacters and the way Carroll manipulated words were not only used asornaments but as priceless lessons taught by a marvelous teacher. It alsoexplains how the author came up with such a colorful world and how he builta world for children that adults should come to know about and eventuallylearn from. I must admit though that it is quite a disadvantage for thereader to be confused by the book's artistic layout. Although the layoutwas very much in line with the book's imaginary, chaotic and uniquesetting, it prevents more serious readers and ones who have difficulty tofollow mazes, to read what I can say is but just a small and yet importantpart of what Lewis Carroll really wanted to convey.The Art of Alice inWonderland is not just a book for those who'd like to see the differentways Alice has been interpreted by artists. It shows the art of the writer,Lewis Carroll himself, in revealing to us in a satirical and very queer waythat sometimes the personalities that pass us by are sometimes nothing buta pack of cards.

The title is misleading
I was disappointed as soon as I saw this book.I have just now, after several months, begun to look at it more closely.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alice (Fictitious character : Carroll)    2. Art    3. Children's stories, English    4. Commercial - Illustration    5. Fantasy - General    6. Fantasy fiction, English    7. Illustration Of Books    8. Illustrations    9. Juvenile Literature    10. Sale Adult - Art & Art Instruction    11. Techniques - Drawing    12. Alice's adventures in wonderland    13. Carroll, Lewis    14. Children's literature studies: general    15. Illustration    16. Through the looking-glass    17. Sale Books