Subject
Children's literature -- Bibliography Books
Best books
Montrose Jonas Moses
Children's books and reading
"Children's Books and Reading" by Montrose Jonas Moses is a scholarly examination of the evolution and significance of children's literature written in the early 20th century. The book explores the historical development of children's literature, the changing nature of children's reading, and the roles of various stakeholders such as educators, librarians, and parents in promoting quality literature for young audiences. It likely aims to unpack the complexities and responsibilities tied to the curation and creation of literature designed for children. The opening of the text introduces the overarching issue in children's literature, highlighting the challenges of distinguishing valuable works from mediocrity. Moses emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context and responsibilities associated with children's reading, arguing that the right literature is essential for nurturing a child's imagination and moral development. He discusses the evolution of children's books, starting from early moral tales to contemporary concerns about quality and appeal in literature tailored for younger readers. Moses advocates for a thoughtful, discerning approach to children's literature, recognizing the profound impact it has on a child's growth and education.
Unknown
One thousand books for children
"One Thousand Books for Children" by Penrhyn Wingfield Coussens is a compilation of recommended literature for children written in the early 20th century. This anthology is designed to serve as a comprehensive guide for parents, educators, and children themselves, offering selected titles graded by age group to facilitate better reading choices. The book emphasizes the importance of wholesome literature in shaping character and fostering mental development in young readers. The opening of this work presents a preface that outlines the compiler's objective, which is to provide a reliable resource for selecting suitable books for children. Coussens underscores the significance of age-appropriate literature and shares his views on different types of stories that resonate with children's various stages of development. He concerns himself with the balance between entertaining and educating children through literary choices, highlighting the universal appeal of fairy tales, adventure stories, and tales that promote moral values. Throughout this introduction, the compiler articulates the necessity of nurturing a child's literary interests while being cautious against force-feeding them unsuitable or excessively complex material.
Gertrude Weld Arnold
A Mother's List of Books for Children
"A Mother's List of Books for Children" by Gertrude Weld Arnold is a compilation aimed at parents seeking quality literature for their children, written in the early 20th century. This resource categorizes children's books based on their suitability for various age groups, providing parents with guidance on selecting appropriate and engaging reading material for their kids. The book focuses on fostering a love of reading through carefully chosen titles, emphasizing the importance of kind and humorous literature. The opening of the book establishes the author's intent and methodology in curating this list. Arnold provides a preface that highlights her attempts to organize the selections according to age rather than school grade, recognizing the varying capacities of young readers. She expresses gratitude to various librarians and acknowledges the historical context of children's literature, reflecting on how some titles have fallen out of favor while new works emerge to shape young minds. The tone is informative and nurturing, aiming to create a resource that will bring joy and enlightenment to families through the medium of literature.
Florence V. (Florence Valentine) Barry
A century of children's books
"A Century of Children's Books" by Florence V. Barry is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the evolution and significance of children's literature over the past century, shedding light on key genres, authors, and themes that have shaped the way children perceive stories and imagination throughout history. The opening of this work presents the author's reflections on the nature and impact of children's books, tracing their development from instructional texts to enchanting stories filled with grandeur and adventure. Barry discusses early influences, such as the moral tales of the 18th century and the fairy stories gaining popularity, while acknowledging the complexities of balancing education and entertainment in children's literature. As Barry sets the stage for her examination, she introduces themes of curiosity, imagination, and education that pervade the realm of stories meant for the young, paving the way for an in-depth exploration of specific literary forms and notable works within the chapters that follow.
John Albert Macy
A child's guide to reading
"A child's guide to reading" by John Albert Macy is a literary guide and reading manual written in the early 20th century. Aimed at helping young readers (and those who guide them) move beyond ephemeral “juveniles” to the enduring riches of literature, it explains why and how to read, champions fiction, poetry, history, and essays, and offers practical lists and examples to steer taste toward the greats without being rigid or priggish. The opening of the work compares a good literary guide to a seasoned Maine woods guide: helpful but never a substitute for the reader’s own effort, judgment, and joy in discovery. It rejects fixed “Hundred Best Books” lists, praises the dictionary, and shows how chance encounters (Mill finding Wordsworth) can shape a life, while cautioning readers to choose books that awaken their best selves. It then argues for reading as contact with the best minds—countering “book-learning” skeptics with vivid examples (Lincoln with Shakespeare, Grant with Scott and Cooper, Napoleon’s omnivorous reading, Franklin’s formative authors)—and urges attentive, sometimes re-read, even memorized engagement. Finally it begins its long section on fiction: defending the novel (with Jane Austen’s wit), explaining plot, character, description, and style through Thackeray’s Henry Esmond, stressing the moral responsibility of storytellers (via Trollope), dissolving the romance vs. realism quarrel with examples from Scott, Dickens, and others, warning against inauthentic dialogue and flabby description, and offering calm, practical advice on choosing novels (and short stories) before launching into a substantial, varied reading list.
Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary) Yonge
What books to lend and what to give
"What Books to Lend and What to Give" by Charlotte M. Yonge is a guidebook on children's literature written in the late 19th century. The book aims to provide thoughtful recommendations for wholesome, educational, and engaging reading materials suitable for children and various age groups. It reflects Yonge's concerns regarding the moral and intellectual development of young readers through carefully curated selections. The opening portion introduces the necessity of providing quality literature in parish work and discusses the impact of reading on children's choices. Yonge emphasizes the importance of selecting suitable books for different age groups and interests, cautioning against literature that may lead them to undesirable content. She details the characteristics of books appropriate for varying levels of readers—from "little ones" to "senior classes"—and presents her structured recommendations based on personal experience, aimed at enriching children's literacy in wholesome ways.
Marie L. Shedlock
The Art of the Story-Teller
"The Art of the Story-Teller" by Marie L. Shedlock is a guide on the craft of storytelling, likely written during the early 20th century. This work delves into the nuances of storytelling, emphasizing its importance in education and engaging the imagination of children. Shedlock aims to illuminate the artistic elements that can enhance storytelling effectiveness, providing insights for both educators and aspiring narrators. The opening of the book features a preface by Earl Barnes, praising Shedlock's storytelling prowess and her ability to convey the educational value of the art. It discusses the innate connection between storytelling and child development, outlining Shedlock's intention to share her observations and tips drawn from her experiences both in Britain and America. The introduction sets the stage for a series of chapters intended to explore the complexities and techniques of storytelling, including the challenges of maintaining engagement, the essentials of good storytelling, and the common pitfalls to avoid—all crucial for effective narrative delivery.
Marjory MacMurchy Willison
Golden treasury of famous books : $b A guide to good reading for boys and girls, and for the enjoyment of those who love books
"Golden Treasury of Famous Books: A Guide to Good Reading for Boys and Girls" by Marjory Willison is a literary guide and anthology written in the early 20th century. This book is designed primarily for young readers and those who love books, providing introductions to classic works and celebrated authors. Its main focus is to inspire a love of reading and to help readers discover the joy and richness found in great literature, ranging from novels and poetry to history and travel writing. The opening of "Golden Treasury of Famous Books" introduces the reader to the magical companionship offered by books, using stories of famous literary figures’ childhood encounters with literature as inspiration. The foreword and initial chapters outline how the book can help guide readers to stories they will enjoy, and provide an overview of its structure, which covers different genres and great authors. The early chapters present concise, engaging background information on the novels and characters of Charles Dickens, highlight Dickens’s life, his humanitarian impact, and move on to praise and summarize the works and virtues of authors like Sir Walter Scott and William Shakespeare. Throughout, the author emphasizes the transformative power of books, the importance of discovering personal taste in reading, and introduces literary classics alongside personal anecdotes, making the world of literature inviting and accessible for young readers.
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