Product Description

Here is a family guide to classic novels, contemporary fiction, myths and legends, science fiction and fantasy, folktales, Bible stories, picture books, biographies, holiday stories, and many other books that celebrate virtues and values.

There are more than 300 titles to choose from, each featuring a dramatic story and memorable characters who explore moral ground and the difference between what is right and what is wrong. These books will capture your child's imagination, and conscience as well-whether it is Beauty pondering her promise to Beast, mischievous Max in Where the Wild Things Are, the troubled boys of Lord of the Flies, generous Mr. Badger in The Wind in the Willows, or the courageous struggles of such real-life characters as Frederick Douglass and Anne Frank.

With entries arranged by category and reading level, there is something here for all readers-from preschoolers to teenagers-whatever their tastes may be. Each entry features a complete plot summary and publisher information so that you can find the book with ease in your local library or bookstore. It's not always easy to teach a child the difference between right and wrong, but stories-whether they are based on fantasy or rooted in real life-can speak to children more eloquently than any list of dos or don'ts and can impart moral values as they nurture a child's imagination.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #70529 in Books
• Published on: 1994-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

From the Publisher
Here is a family guide to classic novels, contemporary fiction, myths and legends, science fiction and fantasy, folktales, Bible stories, picture books, biographies, holiday stories, and many other books that celebrate virtues and values.

There are more than 300 titles to choose from, each featuring a dramatic story and memorable characters who explore moral ground and the difference between what is right and what is wrong. These books will capture your child's imagination, and conscience as well-whether it is Beauty pondering her promise to Beast, mischievous Max in Where the Wild Things Are, the troubled boys of Lord of the Flies, generous Mr. Badger in The Wind in the Willows, or the courageous struggles of such real-life characters as Frederick Douglass and Anne Frank.

With entries arranged by category and reading level, there is something here for all readers-from preschoolers to teenagers-whatever their tastes may be. Each entry features a complete plot summary and publisher information so that you can find the book with ease in your local library or bookstore. It's not always easy to teach a child the difference between right and wrong, but stories-whether they are based on fantasy or rooted in real life-can speak to children more eloquently than any list of dos or don'ts and can impart moral values as they nurture a child's imagination.

About the Author
WILLIAM KILPATRICK, Professor of Education at Boston College, is the author of four previous books, including Why Johnny Can't Tell Right from Wrong, and is a frequent lecturer to university and parent audiences. Gregory and Suzanne M. Wolfe created The Golden Key, an award-winning children's book catalogue. Gregory Wolfe is editor and publisher of Image: A Journal of the Arts & Religion. Suzanne M. Wolfe is at work on her first novel.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Reading to Children

Just as a child learns from real experiences, he can also learn from vicarious ones-and far more safely. Through books he can experience revelations that might not come to him until much later in the normal course of events: revelations of fear, of failure, of love, of understanding. What's more, reading provides a sort of mental rehearsal for the time when he encounters these experiences firsthand.

Here are some practical suggestions for sharing books with children:

• Try to set aside some time each day for storytelling.

• Recommended reading levels are only a rough guide. Parents need to develop a feel for what will work with their own children. Since there are so many good books available there's no reason to try to force a particular book on a child. This is doubly true for classics. They can be introduced too early or in the wrong way, spoiling a child's taste for them later on. Beverly Cleary, author of the Ramona series, relates, "When I was a child, a relative gave me Ivanhoe to grow into. I was so disappointed that I still have not grown into it."

• Keep in mind that children can understand and enjoy listening to stories that are above their actual reading level.

• For very small children the main thing is to hear stories that are rhythmic and repetitive. It's the sound of the language that counts most at this stage.

• Be aware that myths, fairy tales, and folktales come in many versions-versions that range from the sublime to the abysmal. For example, you wouldn't think that "Rumpelstiltskin" could be rolled out flat as a pancake, but it has been done. Another factor in choosing a version of a book is the quality of the illustrations. While illustrations are not all important, they do make a difference; look fo editions with illustrations that do justice to the text rather than trivialize it.

• When reading aloud choose stories that you, yourself, like. Reading should be enjoyable for everyone involved.

• Practice when possible. Good stories deserve a good reading. Read the story yourself before reading it to your children. That way you'll have a better idea of it's plot and rhythm and bumpy spots.

• Be expressive. Learn when to slow down, when to speed up, when to pause. Create suspense by lowering your voice, create a dramatic effect by raising it. You might try changing your voice to fit each character. Don't be concerned that you lack the vocalization skills of a professional actor; children constitute a forgiving and enthusiastic audience.

• It is important to set the right mood when reading aloud. Allow time for your children to settle down. If you're reading from a picture book you might spend some time talking about the book's cover. Ask your children what they think the story will be about. If it's a chapter in a novel, you might want to follow Jim Trelease's advice and ask, "Let's see-where did we leave off yesterday?" or 'What's happened so far?"

• Don't be tempted to explain the "moral" of the story. Let the book speak for itself. Family reading time should not be confused with a class in interpretation. On the other hand, it's fine if a story leads to conversation. Occasionally it might be appropriate to ask a question or two about a character's actions or motivations. But don't overdo it. It's better if questions come spontaneously from your child.

• Read-aloud time shoud be balanced with silent reading time. Even prereaders should have time alone with picture books. Try instituting a practice of silent reading time for the whole family. Instead of gathering around the television at night make the bookcase the focus of attention.

Copyright © 1994 by William Kilpatrick, Gregory Wolfe, and Suzanne M. Wolfe.

Customer Reviews

excellent resource for finding worthwhile books for kids
The title of this resource sounds stuffier than it is. The authors' philosophy seems to be one of "less is more" -- making the case, in an interesting and literate foreword and five introductory chapters, that books can be useful and even important resources for trying to help your child figure out what makes life interesting. These books can help provide role models, teach empathy, and transport the reader to a different world or state of mind. The authors de-emphasize problem novels for young adults, which they feel teach self-acceptance rather than improvement and whose authors often sacrifice story for message, opting instead for the mythic, transportive style. I've read a lot of children's literature and still found a number of new and interesting titles here.

Books are divided into genre and then age group (4-8, 8-12, 12+). There is a good science fiction/fantasy section. Other chapters include: picture books; fables and fairy tales; myths, legends and folktales; sacred texts; books for holidays and holy days; historical fiction; contemporary fiction (post WWII); and biography.

The book list contains about 300 books and includes title, author, illustrator, publisher, year of publication and number of pages, as well as a one-page summary of the plot and brief discussion of issues or virtues covered in the selection. Also included: a list of the books, in the order they appear, sans commentary; a short chapter about the Book List; a list of twenty videos deemed worthwhile viewing; a notes section in case you want to delve deeper; and an index. The index is the weak link here. For example, on page 35, one sentence ends " ... just as most good parents, whatever their views on censorship, tend to buy their children books by A. A. Milne and Mark Twain rather than books by the Marquis de Sade." Then the Marquis de Sade is in the index (!) while useful subject terms, like 'loneliness' and 'friendship', are not. Later editions should include a thorough subject index.

A good companion book to Jim Trelease's The Read-Aloud Handbook, and a valuable resource for anyone mentoring children. The commentaries are thoughtful and well written.

A Great Guide to Books Worth Reading
As another reviewer pointed out, the title and subtitle of this book may put people off. But this isn't a book that applies a preachy sort of moralism to the task of building a child's character through literature. Far from it. It's a very valuable guide to books that have, and will, stand the test of time as classics. I discovered many wonderful books through this guide and had a great time reading them to my children. The best children's literature is as satisfying on an adult level as it is for the child.

This book is valuable not only for the lists and summaries of good books for children (grouped by age level and category) that takes up most of its pages. The first 60 pages contain five short chapters on the importance of reading for children and of selecting the sort of books that will build their character and intellect. It explains why it does matter what your child reads (not just that they read). Don't skip this reading. No matter how convinced you are of the importance of good literature for a child's development, your conviction and understanding will deepen by reading what the authors have to say in this introductory material.

The fifth chapter has some especially useful guidelines on selecting and sharing good books. Distinguish between issues and virtues: "Having enlightened opinions is no substitute for having character". "Good books are people centered, not problem centered." Context of behavior portrayed in a book is crucial. "Character building books are not simply about good people doing good things. ... The question is not whether unethical behavior is present, but how it is presented". Look for stories that "open up new possibilities and stretch the imagination. ... be wary of stories that focus exclusively on narrow teen or preteen preoccupations, or those that offer nothing more than the therapeutic reassurance that everything is okay". "Look for books in which the main character grows". There is an education here to help you discern for yourself the quality of children's literature. There is also some good advice on how to read to your children; a good list of "do's and don't's" that make reading aloud more productive an fun. It won't be long before your kids are turning off the TV and asking you to read to them. You will have plenty of good material to draw from with this book as your guide.

Excellent resource for teachers
This excellent resource for teachers is intended to introduce the reader to books that help children from age four through high school grow in virtue. Its focus is on the moral dimensions of reading. In their introductory chapters, the authors state that reading is important for four reasons: 1) stories create an emotional attachment to goodness, 2) stories provide a wealth of good examples on how to live, 3) stories familiarize students with the codes of conduct they need to know, and 4) stories help them make sense of life. Presented are chapters on the major categories of books: fables and fairy tales; myths, legends and folktales; sacred texts; historical fiction; contemporary fiction; biography; etc. Each chapter is divided into general age levels (4-8; 8-12; and 12 and up). Approximately 200 pages of excellent, annotated books follow