Honey for a Child's Heart

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Gladys Hunt is right: kids don't stumble on great books by themselves, they read the titles they're given. Most adults discover books the same way, which is why she's written guides to help families choose only the best stories for their children and teenagers (as well as one for Christian women, Honey for a Woman's Heart).

These aren't simply book lists. Both Honey for a Child's Heart and Honey for a Teen's Heart are divided into two parts: the first discusses the importance of reading, various genres (science fiction, poetry, animal stories, etc.), the question of censorship, the elements of a good book, etc.; the second part offers extended book lists to direct you to the right titles for your family.

Part I of both books is equal parts information and encouragement. While Hunt identifies the two levels of reading (for the story, and for the ideas) and the place literature holds in the formation of good character and critical thinking skills, she also talks about how much fun it is to read good books, especially together as a family.

In Part II Hunt presents extensive lists of books. Each title is organized by age-level, genre and author, with a brief synopsis for each one. Honey for a Teen's Heart is more oriented toward students on their way to college, so the reading level is pretty high, but there's nothing most high schoolers won't be able to handle (thought parents will want to know some of the titles include fairly mature content).

Neither of these books are intended simply as "suggested entertainment," lists of books kids will enjoy. There is an emphasis on enjoyment, but there's an equally strong emphasis on reading for instruction and development. Hunt chooses books that will both delight and stretch readers, helping them to think clearly about themselves, the world around them, and God.

There are also a lot of books: over a thousand in Honey for a Child's Heart, and 400 in Honey for a Teen's Heart. No one will be able to read all the titles listed here; these are intended as general guides, not rigid models. There's no real curriculum element here, either—Hunt wants families to read because they want to and understand the benefits of good books, not because they must.

We decided early on at Exodus Books that we wanted a strong selection of quality literature for children. Honey for a Child's Heart was the first book we turned to, and it proved an immeasurable help. Whether you're a parent who wants to find great books for your kiddos but don't know where to start, or a veteran who's run out of ideas, these are some of the best available guides to building a reading list and library, and knowing how to make the very best use of them.

You'll find a good number of the books listed in Hunt's guides below. We're constantly working on expanding this section, so if you don't see a book she recommends let us know and we'll do our best to bring it in. As your kids make their way through these titles, be sure to discuss with them often, as the goal of reading is growth, not simply knowledge or fun. Gladys Hunt is a capable and enthusiastic guide, and we offer her books without reservation.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

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Honey for a Child's Heart

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	Animalia by Graeme Base from Harry N. Abrams, Inc. for Kindergarten-3rd in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $7.00 (1 in stock)
	Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman from Random House Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-2nd grade in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB) $9.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Baby Sister for Frances by Russell & Lillian Hoban from Atlas Editions Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Bedtime for Frances by Russell Hoban from HarperCollins Animal Fantasy for 1st-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.99
	Best Nest by P.D. Eastman from Random House Books for Young Readers for 1st-3rd grade in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB) $9.99
	Best Read-It-Yourself Book Ever! by Richard Scarry from Golden Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward from Houghton Mifflin Realistic Animal Stories for Preschool-1st grade 1953 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey from Viking Press Realistic Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1949 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $19.99
	Bonjour, Babar! The Six Unabridged Classics by the Creator of Babar by Jean De Brunhoff, introduction by Kevin Henkes from Random House Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-4th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
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	Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson, Illustrated by Maria L. Kirk from J.B. Lippincott Co. for 1st-5th grade in Poetry for Children (Location: POET-CHIL)
	Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson, unknown illustrator from Henry Altemus Company for 1st-5th grade in Poetry for Children (Location: POET-CHIL)
	Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Deluxe 20th Anniversary Edition by Susan Wojciechowski, illustrated by P. J. Lynch 20th Anniversary from Candlewick Press in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes from Greenwillow Books Animal Fantasy for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo by Kevin Lewis from Hyperion/Madison Press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
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	Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado Reprint from Thomas Nelson Publishers for Preschool-3rd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith from Eerdmans Bible Stories for 1st-3rd grade in Easter & Lent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Edward and the Pirates by David McPhail from Little, Brown & Company for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Emeline at the Circus by Marjorie Priceman Reprint from Dragonfly Books for Kindergarten-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.99
	Exodus by Brian Wildsmith from Eerdmans Bible Stories for Kindergarten-4th grade in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $21.00
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	Garden of Abdul Gasazi by Chris Van Allsburg from Houghton Mifflin for Preschool- 3rd Grade 1980 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Go, Dog, Go! by P. D. Eastman from Random House Animal Fantasy/Rhyming Stories for Kindergarten-2nd grade in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB) $9.99
	Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say Reprint from Sandpiper Books Realistic Fiction for Kindergarten-2nd grade 1994 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.99
	Great Gracie Chase Stop That Dog! by Cynthia Rylant from Blue Sky press for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss from Random House Fantasy for Kindergarten-2nd grade in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB) $9.99
	Hailstones and Halibut Bones by Mary O'Neill from Doubleday & Company for Preschool-3rd grade in Poetry for Children (Location: POET-CHIL)
	Hand Rhymes by Marc Brown from Dutton Children's Books for Nursery-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne from Dutton Children's Books Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $19.99
	How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss from Random House Christmas Stories for Kindergarten-4th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.99 $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber from Houghton Mifflin for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $10.00 (1 in stock)
	John Henry by Julius Lester & Jerry Pinkney from Dial Press for Nursery-2nd grade 1995 Caldecott Honor book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $10.00 (1 in stock)
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	Leading Little Ones to God A Child's Book of Bible Teachings by Marian Schoolland from Eerdmans for Preschool-2nd grade in Family Worship (Location: BIB-FAWO)
	Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes 1^st edition from Greenwillow Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Little Fire Engine by Lois Lenski from Random House Books for Young Readers for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Little Train by Lois Lenski from Random House Books for Young Readers for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey from Viking Press Realistic Animal Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1942 Caldecott Medal winner in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $19.99
	Mitten A Ukrainian Folktale by Jan Brett Rei/Cas from Putnam Juvenile Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $19.99
	Mouse of My Heart by Margaret Wise Brown from Hyperion/Madison Press for Nursery-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? Bright & Early Books by Dr. Seuss from Random House for Nursery-1st grade in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB) $9.99 $4.00 (3 in stock)
	Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? Bright & Early Books by Dr. Seuss from Random House for Nursery-1st grade in Beginner Books (Location: EAR-BB) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Maurice Sendak from HarperCollins for Preschool-3rd grade 1963 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg from HMH Books for Young Readers for 1st-4th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore from Golden Books for Nursery-2nd grade in Christmas & Advent (Location: HOLIDAY)
	No, David! by David Shannon from Scholastic Inc. Word Books for Preschool-2nd grade 1999 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Noah's Ark by Peter Spier 1^st edition from Dell Publishing Bible Stories for Preschool-2nd grade 1978 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne from Dutton Children's Books Poetry for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $19.99
	Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne from Dutton Children's Books Poetry for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Olivia by Ian Falconer from Atheneum Animal Fantasy for Preschool-1st grade 2001 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $18.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Once a Mouse by Marcia Brown from Atheneum Fairy Tales, Fables, and Legends for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1962 Caldecott Medal Winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey from Viking Press Realistic Family Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1953 Caldecott Honor Book in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $18.99
	One Wintry Night by Richard Jesse Watson from Baker Books for Kindergarten-5th grade in Holidays (Location: HOLIDAY)
	Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, illustrated by Colin West from Frederick Warne & Company for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, illustrated by Gwen Fulton from Atheneum for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.50 (1 in stock)
	Owl Moon by Jane Yolen; illustrated by John Schoenherr from Philomel Books for Preschool-3rd grade 1988 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $17.99
	Pete's a Pizza by William Steig from HarperCollins Word Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Petunia by Roger Duvoisin Weekly Reader Edition from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. for Kindergarten-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Richard Scarry's Best Little Word Book Ever! (Little Golden Book) by Richard Scarry 2^nd edition from Golden Books for Nursery-2nd grade in Little Golden Books (Location: PIC-GOLD) $2.50 (1 in stock)
	Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness from Holt, Rinehart and Winston Allegorical and Moral Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1967 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Sing a Song of Popcorn by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers 1^st edition from Scholastic Inc. for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Poetry for Children (Location: POET-CHIL) $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Sleeping Beauty by K. Y. Craft from Chronicle Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin from Houghton Mifflin Biographies of Scientists and Inventors for 1st-3rd grade 1999 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $17.99
	Stellaluna by Janell Cannon 1^st edition from Harcourt Children's Books for 1st-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $18.99
	Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf from Viking Press Animal Stories for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $17.99 $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg 1^st edition from Houghton Mifflin for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $18.95 $10.50 (2 in stock)
	Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig from Simon and Schuster Animal Fantasy for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1970 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	Tale of Peter Rabbit Book 1 by Beatrix Potter from Frederick Warne & Company for Preschool-2nd grade in Peter Rabbit & Friends (Location: FIC-PETER) $7.99
	Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt, Tim Jonke (Illustrator) 1^st edition from Cook Communications for Nursery-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.00 (2 in stock)
	Thomas Jefferson A Picture Book Biography by James Cross Giblin from Scholastic Inc. for Preschool-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Three Pigs by David Wiesner 1^st edition from Clarion Books for Preschool-2nd grade 2002 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $18.99
	Thy Friend, Obadiah (hardcover) by Brinton Turkle from Beautiful Feet Books Realistic Animal Stories for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1970 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $14.95
	To Everything There Is a Season by Diane Dillon, Leo Dillon 1^st edition from Blue Sky press for Preschool-3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Tuesday by David Wiesner from Clarion Books for Preschool-2nd grade 1992 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $17.99
	Verdi by Janell Cannon 1^st edition from Harcourt Children's Books for Preschool-3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE)
	When We Were Very Young by A. A. Milne from Dutton Juvenile Poetry for Kindergarten-4th grade in Fantasy Fiction (Location: FIC-FAN) $19.99
	Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak 25th Anniversary from HarperCollins Fantasy for Kindergarten-3rd grade 1964 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $18.95 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Who Am I? And What Am I Doing Here? What We Believe Series #2 by John Hay & David Webb from Apologia Educational Ministries for 1st-8th grade in Apologia What We Believe (Location: BIBWV-APO) $39.20
	You Read to Me & I'll Read to You by Various Authors 1^st edition from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Picture Book Treasuries (Location: PIC-TRE)

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