For the True Biblioholic
Children and Books by May Hill Arbuthnot
A college text on children's literature, but very readable for anyone who finds this subject interesting. Many illustrations. Several editions; the third edition includes chapters on "Children's Books: History and Trends," "Growing Up With Poetry," "Fables, Myths and Epics," "Other Times and Places," and "Reading for Information," among others. Lots of references to specific books, authors and illustrators.
Out of print.
For the Love of Reading by Valerie Bendt
The unit study lady, she discusses encouraging creativity in your children through using good books and narration. She encourages using a "reader's journal" to make books you have read more personal.
Believe it or not, you can get this at Walmart online!
The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales by Bruno Bettelheim
Often too full of psychobabble, but also an interesting analysis of fairy stories and their relation to real life.
Still in print and available through Amazon.
Who Should We Then Read? by Jan Bloom
An indispensable resource listing dozens of authors of children's books with their biographies, and listing all the books they wrote. Also has complete lists of the most popular book series (i.e. Landmark, All About, Cornerstones of Freedom, etc.) Great to take to the library to help find acceptable books for your children to check out...no more wondering, "Is this one okay?"
You can order this from BooksBloom, Box 877, Cokato, MN 55321, 320-286-5676, email booksbloom@yahoo.com.
Lotus Seeds by Marcia Brown
Written by a three-time winner of the Caldecott Medal, given to children's book illustrators, these essays discuss children's literature, particularly the artwork of children's books. It includes an essay about her first editor, Alice Dalgliesh.
Out of print.
The Green and Burning Tree: On the Writing and Enjoyment of Children's Books by Eleanor Cameron
Essays from the author of the Mushroom Planet books; discusses her own writing career as well as other children's literature.
Out of print.
Invitation to the Classics: A Guide to Books You've Always Wanted to Read edited by Louise Cowan and Os Guinness
Beautiful book with articles about great Western literature, beginning with ancient times, through contemporary writers. Does not go deeply into any particular author or work, but it gives a thorough overview of the greatest classics, a help to understanding the background and outline of these works. Would be a helpful guideline for a personal reading program or for a high school literature course. Lots of beautiful illustrations and nicely laid out.
Available from Amazon.
At Home With Books: How Booklovers Live With and Care for Their Libraries by Estelle Ellis, et.al.
A gorgeous coffee table book with lots of photographs of and interviews with 40 different booklovers about their libraries. This one will make you drool.
Available from Amazon.
A Passion For Books by Terry W. Glaspey
A gift book filled with stories, quotes, poems and illustrations about books. Space in the back to write down a list of books to look for, but it's much too small for any real biblioholic. Includes the story of the poor Long Island lady with a book compulsion who died from injuries incurred when an enormous stack of heavy books fell on her in bed. Shudder. Still, this is a beautiful little volume.
Out of print.
Great Books of the Christian Tradition by Terry W. Glaspey
Starting with ancient tomes, Glaspey recommends over 500 titles he believes Christians should read in order to understand the world. The first half of the book is authors who are considered Christian (in their faith, not because their books are evangelical treatises); the second half is about "Other Books Which Have Shaped Our World." He also includes recommended children's literature, some top ten lists and ideas for book discussion groups. My one gripe is that he includes works which have content which would be offensive to many Christians, but he does not always give warnings about this. I know that sometimes evil is portrayed, not gratuitously, but to make a strong or profound point, but if he is recommending books to a Christian audience, those warnings ought to be included.
Available at Amazon.
Shelf Life: How Books Have Changed the Destinies and Desires of Men and Nations by George and Karen Grant
Lots of fun essays, book quotes and lists.
Look for it at George Grant's website.
84 Charing Cross Road and Q's Legacy by Helene Hanff
The first, real letters written by an American lady to a used book shop in England as she searches for certain volumes and develops a relationship with the people in the English shop. The second is a sequel, explaining more about how she came to be so interested in the books she so diligently sought. A movie was made of 84 Charing Cross Road starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins.
Available from Amazon.
Let The Authors Speak by Carolyn Hatcher
This is a great homeschooling resource, listing living historical books by time period, geographical location, reading level, author and title. Lists over 1300 books with short comments on each.
Available from Amazon.
Story and Verse for Children by Miriam Blanton Huber, illus. by Lynd Ward
Another college text, very readable, similar to Arbuthnot's book (see above), but lots of exerpts from children's literature and biographical sketches of authors.
Out of print.
Honey For a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt
The first half of this book discusses various aspects of children's books and involving your children in reading; the second half is a bibliography of recommended books with short annotations. Hunt has also written Honey for a Teen's Heart and Honey for a Woman's Heart.
Available from Amazon.
Eyeopeners! by Beverly Kobrin, introduction by Jim Trelease
Subtitled, "How to Choose and Use Children's Books About Real People, Places, and Things." Most of this book consists of lists of non-fiction books organized by subject including: abc books, airplanes, alligators and crocodiles, art and artists, authors and illustrators, ballet, biographies, boats, cats, cookbooks, and on and on and on. Includes books about realistic modern issues such as alcohol, disabilities, death, divorce, etc.
This is out of print, but there is a sequel available from Amazon.
Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories by C.S. Lewis, Walter Hooper, editor
Wonderful Lewis essays which discuss all kinds of literature, and he mentions names! He talks about his Narnia stories and several of the essays discuss children's literature. There are also three short science fiction stories by Lewis, one of which has notes by Roger Lancelyn Green.
Available from Amazon.
The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C.S. Lewis
This is on my list of books to read. I am fascinated by medieval times and I am learning that as much as I am staunchly reformed, there was much richness to the Christian faith from that time, and it was far from being the "Dark Ages." Lewis's last book.
Available from Amazon.
The Book Tree: A Christian Reference for Children's Literature by Elizabeth McCallum and Jane Scott
Written by a mother/daughter team, both women have English degrees (why does this impress people, as if it makes one a bigger expert on children's books?) Published by Canon Press and a foreword by George Grant, this book has impressive credentials. It sorts through titles by age group, giving short reviews of the recommended books. They have tried to focus on books that are easily available.
Find this one at Canon Press.
A Landscape With Dragons: The Battle for Your Child's MInd by Michael D. O'Brien
Although written by a conservative Catholic, this is one of my favorite resources discussing children's literature. I have an extensive review of it in my reviews section of this site. O'Brien discusses the importance of symbols in children's books and why we must be so careful to protect our children's hearts and minds when we give them books to read. A great booklist in the appendix. Highly recommended.
Available from Amazon.
A Passion for Books edited by Harold Rabinowitz and Rob Kaplan
Subtitled "A Book Lover's Treasury of stories, essays, humor, lore, and lists on collecting, reading, borrowing, lending, caring for and appreciating books." The foreword is by Ray Bradbury. This is full of entertaining and some poignant stories involving booklove. It is so fun to read stories by people who understand the crazy affliction I share with them!
Available from Amazon.
A Family Program For Reading Aloud developed by Rosalie June Slater
From Foundation for American Christian Education, which promotes the Principle Approach of learning, this book discusses the importance of reading in the home and discusses many specific titles. It includes some fascinating mini-unit studies on different subjects (Indians, the ocean), people (Marguerite Henry, the D'Aulaires, Walter Scott, Dickens, Lindbergh) and history (Mt. Vernon Ladies' Association, the French Revolution), giving living book recommendations for further study.
Available from FACE.
How to Read Slowly: Reading for Comprehension by James W. Sire
Focuses on discernment and judging what one reads according to a Christian worldview. Sire was an English professor and is an editor and lecturer. This book also offers advice on how to choose what to read; it discusses various kinds of reading material, not only books. An appendix lists books to read to understand different philosophical viewpoints.
Available from Amazon.
The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
This classic book makes a compelling case for reading aloud to your family, and not just to the younger children. Tells how to choose the books to read and how to read them. A chapter on the problems of television is included. This book has a very extensive list of mostly fiction books which are recommended according to age.
Available from Amazon, now in its 5th edition which is about twice as long as the edition I have.
Read All About It! edited by Jim Trelease
Excerpts from a wide variety of literature, meant to be read to or by children, the best part is the interesting biographical sketches of all the authors. For example, Cynthia Rylant (who wrote the Henry and Mudge and Mr. Putter and Tabby stories) was a children's librarian with two degrees in English at the age of 23. She had grown up in rural West Virginia with no running water or indoor toilet, and she never visited a public library until halfway through college. When she started as a children's librarian, she had never heard of Make Way for Ducklings or Charlotte's Web. It was when she had to shelve all those books that she developed a love affair with children's literature. Published in 1993, includes both older and modern authors.
Available from Amazon.
Reading Between the Lines: A Christian Guide to Literature by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
After explaining why Christians must read and discern what they read, Veith explores various genres of literature, as well as literature of different periods. Very meaty, but accessible. Has a short reading list as well as recommended books throughout the book.
Available from Amazon.
How To Stock a Home Library Inexpensively by Jane Williams
Why you should have a home library, what it should contain and the best way to get the books you need and want. Includes a large directory of resources for obtaining books, but may be out of date.
Out of print.
Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best in Children's Literature by Elizabeth Wilson, foreword by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
Written for a help to those using Charlotte Mason's educational method, book recommendations organized by subject and reading level. This is from a Christian perspective. Lots of recommendations which may not be as well-known (a plus in my book!)
Available from Amazon.
