Children and Books

by Zena Sutherland, May Hill Arbuthnot, Trina Schart Hyman (Illustrator)

The first edition of Children and Books appeared in 1947, when its author, May Hill Arbuthnot, was already well known as the co-author of the "Dick and Jane" series. An eminent educator, Arbuthnot was concerned not only with literacy but also with giving children the best in world literature. Throughout its fifty-year history and with Zena Sutherland as lead author in the last six editions, this best-selling volume has maintained the features that first made it popular: an emphasis on major authors and artists, criteria for each genre, a focus on new books and new ideas, and, above all, an emphasis on children's needs and interests - and on ways in which books of high quality can serve those needs and interests.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Literature, Textbooks, Reference, Books About Books

736 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1947

Reviews

[karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay well i didnt read the entire thing, just the assigned chapters. the book itself is fine, if you need it for deciding what to read/supply for kids. as far as this class goes, the amount i actually needed it was minimal and it hurt my already weakass back lugging it until i realized i was never going to actually need it in class and started leaving it at home. so, goodbye children and books, ninth edition. i got the titles of two books i wanted to read from you, but you werent really instrumental to my learnings.

[Greg]

I can't say I even gave this book a chance. Maybe I should have read some of it. Now that the class is over I know I won't be inspired to read it on my own. Bye-Bye book about children books.

[Ardyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Review of rhe Third Edition)

I must've grabbed this for a buck at some library sale, because the title is catnip but it's a textbook, which I tend to avoid.

Written as a year-long course for teachers and librarians. Interesting enough content, but definitely for the very beginner to these ideas and, given its purpose as a college textbook, not really suited to most people these days. Plus most of the books mentioned are out of print and listing at $500+ on Amazon...

For what it is, it's fine. Add to consideration its time of production, I'd even say it's pretty good as Arbuthnot makes a strong argument for better and broader representation in kid lit for people of color.

Nevertheless, I'll point to Jim Trelease's The Read-Aloud Handbook instead... much the same overall content in a significantly more engaging voice.

And then get in the loop about BIPOC authors, too, because while both of these books present solid concepts, neither is very good at inclusive lists. "Heritage Mom" and "Stories of Color" are two great blogs for this.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skimmed this book rather than read it. It was overdue at my library, but I think I’d like to go back and actually read it again.

[Wyntrnoire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually I have read the first edition and the 3rd. I am currently browsing the 4th and continue to browse the 3rd. For anyone who loves books.

[Jeremy]

I read the section titled "The Puritans and Perdition" and wasn't impressed with Arbuthnot/Sutherland (4th edition), but I'm sure that in general this is a useful overview.

Some thoughts here: http://themundanemuse.blogspot.com/20...

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The standard textbook on children's lit.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this in a children's lit class during my MLS degree program.