Doorways to Great Reading

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If there's a one-world government, it's television. King of the Technological Age, he sits enthroned in homes around the world, a little box of images and sound emitting edicts to his unified followers from his electrical shrine. That description may be a bit overwrought, but the fact remains: more people these days would prefer to watch TV than read a good book.

Many parents are desperate to expose their kids to quality literature, whether it's a classic like Anne of Green Gables, a more recent novel like Mimus, or simply something other than the TV Guide. In response, a number of literature-based curricula have been developed, and in turn have become increasingly popular among both homeschool families and school educators.

As great and noble as this effort has been, there are a couple problems we see with the literature-curriculum approach: 1) literature is treated as curriculum, and 2) children aren't exposed to the depth and variety available because reading is limited to the curriculum suggestions. Consequently, a lot of children grow to dislike reading, associating it as they do with schoolwork and not having a good time.

We've accumulated many of the titles used by the major literature-based curriculum lines, and those products are among our best sellers. We're also not entirely opposed to the literature approach, but we also want to offer a much broader selection of literature, titles that don't find their way into the program guides but are nevertheless worth reading.

Numerous book lists, catalogues, and publishers (including many dedicated to reprinting the more obscure classic titles) have guided us in the construction of our fiction and literature sections. (Employees have also been an important factor in this process, and you can read about their favorites here.) Doorways to Great Reading collects the best of these lists in one place.

Discovering classic literature is more than just checking off titles from a master list, however. Though books like Honey for a Child's Heart, The Well-Educated Mind, and The Book Tree are great places to start and offer excellent guidelines, they are still jumping-off places. Developing the skills to find good books on your own (and imparting those skills to your children) is the end these books are supposed to help you achieve.

When Lucy Pevensie opened the wardrobe and found Narnia, her first experience with a snowbound landscape gave her little indication of the adventure and wonder she'd find there. Great books are the same way: the more you read, the more you realize how many are really out there, and the better you get at finding them.

If your adventure in the realms of literature hasn't started, or is still in its beginning stages, use the booklists you'll find here as maps of sorts, there to help you navigate but not to make the journey on your behalf. The travel is up to you, and whether you decide to explore Ben-Hur or The Wind in the Willows, it's travel that will take you far from your front door and back many times over.

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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Hand That Rocks the Cradle

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	Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst from Atheneum for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $3.20 (1 in stock)
	All Those Secrets of the World by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Leslie Baker 1^st edition from Little, Brown & Company for Preschool-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Babar and His Children OSI by Jean De Brunhoff from Random House Books for Young Readers for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Babar and Zephir / Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Jean de Brunhoff (Babar) and Beatrix Potter (Squirrel Nutkin) from Random House Books for Young Readers for Preschool-2nd grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco from Grosset & Dunlap for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Beginner's Bible Timeless Children's Stories by Karyn Henley, Kelly Pulley (illustrator) from Zonderkidz for Nursery-Kindergarten in Bible Stories for Kids (Location: BIBR-STO) $19.54 $9.60 (2 in stock)
	Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward from Sandpiper Books Realistic Animal Stories for Preschool-1st grade 1953 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $10.19 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes from Greenwillow Books Animal Fantasy for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Danny and the Dinosaur An I Can Read Book Level 1 by Syd Hoff from HarperCollins for Preschool-1st grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $5.09 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Danny and the Dinosaur An I Can Read Book Level 1 by Syd Hoff from Sandy Creek for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French 1^st edition from HMH Books for Young Readers for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.49 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan & Janet Ahlberg from Puffin Books Rhyming Story for Preschool-Kindergarten in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $3.20 (2 in stock)
	Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles, illustrated by Rod Clement Reprint from HarperTrophy for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Fables by Arnold Lobel from HarperCollins Fairy Tales, Fables, and Legends for Preschool-3rd grade 1981 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.49 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Fables by Arnold Lobel from HarperCollins Fairy Tales, Fables, and Legends for Preschool-3rd grade 1981 Caldecott Medal winner in Oversized Picture Books (Location: PIC-OVER) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	For You Are a Kenyan Child by Kelly Cunnane from Atheneum for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams, Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug Chayka 1^st edition from Eerdmans for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Funny Little Woman by Arlene Mosel & Blair Lent Reissue from Puffin Books 1973 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $5.09 $2.80 (1 in stock)
	Gift of the Magi by O. Henry from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Fiction for Nursery-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein from HarperCollins for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.99 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann from Penguin Putnam Picture Only Books for Preschool-Kindergarten in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	Harry and the Lady Next Door An I Can Read Book Level 1 by Gene Zion from HarperCollins Realistic Animal Stories for Preschool-1st grade in I Can Read Books (Location: EAR-ICR) $5.09 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Have You Seen My Cat? by Eric Carle from Scholastic Inc. in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $1.60 (2 in stock)
	He is Risen Rocks Tell the Story of Easter by Patti Rokus from Zondervan for Preschool-1st grade in Easter & Lent (Location: HOLIDAY) $17.99 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss from Random House read-aloud poetry picture book for Preschool-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.14 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	How to Raise a Reader by Pamela Paul & Maria Russo from Workman Publishing for Nursery-10th grade in Recommended Book Lists (Location: LIR-REC) $10.00 (2 in stock)
	Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho & Holly Meade Reprint from Scholastic Inc. for Preschool-1st grade 1997 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $5.94 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming from Henry Holt and Company Word Books for Nursery-Kindergarten 1994 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $2.40 (2 in stock)
	Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber from Houghton Mifflin for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by Bruce Degen from Aladdin Paperbacks for Preschool-Kindergarten in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Kermit the Hermit by Bill Peet from Houghton Mifflin Animal Fantasy for Preschool-4th grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.49 $4.80 (1 in stock)
	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: BIBR-FAWO) $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! Passport to Reading Level 3 by Grace Lin Passport to Reading Level 3 for Preschool-1st grade Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Book in Early Readers (Location: EAR-MISC) $4.24 $2.40 (2 in stock)
	Little House by Virginia Lee Burton from Sandpiper Books Personification Stories for Preschool-3rd grade 1943 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.49 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Little Polar Bear by Hans de Beer from NorthSouth for Preschool-3rd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Little Red Caboose by Marian Potter from Golden Books for Nursery-1st grade in Little Golden Books (Location: PIC-GOLD) $5.09 $2.40 (1 in stock)
	Lon Po Po by Ed Young from Philomel Books for Preschool-3rd grade Caldecott Medal Winner 1990 in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Love You Forever by Robert Munsch from Firefly Books for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $5.06 $3.20 (2 in stock)
	Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse, Illustrated by Barbara Lavallee from Scholastic Inc. for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $1.60 (4 in stock)
	Mother Goose by Gyo Fujikawa from Union Square Kids for Preschool-Kindergarten in Mother Goose & Nursery Rhymes (Location: PIC-MG) $13.59 $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Mother Goose by Gyo Fujikawa from Grosset & Dunlap for Preschool-Kindergarten in Mother Goose & Nursery Rhymes (Location: PIC-MG) $7.20 (1 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) $8.49 $3.20 (2 in stock)
	Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters An African Tale by John Steptoe from Scholastic Inc. for Preschool-3rd grade 1988 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $2.00 (2 in stock)
	My Little Island by Frane Lessac from HarperCollins for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.20 (1 in stock)
	New Shoes from First Second for Preschool-4th grade in Comic Books & Graphic Novels (Location: FIC-COMIC) $16.99 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Noah's Ark by Peter Spier from Dell Publishing Bible Stories for Preschool-2nd grade 1978 Caldecott Medal winner in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Olivia - Board Book by Ian Falconer from Atheneum Animal Fantasy for Preschool-1st grade 2001 Caldecott Honor Book in Board Books (Location: PIC-BOARD) $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson from Putnam Juvenile for Nursery-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.14 $4.80 (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) $15.29 $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Picture Book of Dwight David Eisenhower by David A. Adler 1^st edition from Holiday House Picture Book Biography for Preschool-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Picture Book of George Washington by David A. Adler 1^st edition from Holiday House for Preschool-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Poke in the I A Collection of Concrete Poems by Paul Janeczko from Candlewick Press for Nursery-2nd grade in Poetry for Children (Location: POET-CHIL) $6.79 $4.40 (3 in stock)
	Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey & Gustaf Tenggren from Golden Books for Preschool-1st grade in Little Golden Books (Location: PIC-GOLD) $5.09 $2.40 (2 in stock)
	Polar Bear Night by Lauren Thompson from Scholastic Press for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Possum Magic by Mem Fox 1^st edition from HMH Books for Young Readers for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.79 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Rainforest Grew All Around by Susan K. Mitchell from Sylvan Dell for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.46 $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Red Book by Barbara Lehman 1^st edition from HMH Books for Young Readers for Preschool-1st grade 2005 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Runaway Bunny by Margaret Brown & Clement Hurd from HarperCollins for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $8.49 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Runaway Bunny by Margaret Brown & Clement Hurd from HarperCollins for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Sign Painter by Allen Say 1^st edition from Houghton Mifflin for Nursery-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $3.60 (3 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 (1 in stock)
	Sparky & Spike Charles Schulz and the Wildest, Smartest Dog Ever by Barbara Lowell, illustrated by Dan Andreasen from Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Picture Biography for Preschool-3rd grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $14.41 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Story of Babar / Heidi by Jean de Brunhoff, translated by Merle S. Haas, Heidi by Johanna Spyri, adapted by Florence Hayes and illustrated by Erika Weihs from Random House for Preschool-2nd grade in Vintage Picture Books (Location: VIN-PIC) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg 1^st edition from Houghton Mifflin for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $16.11 $8.40 (1 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) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson 1^st edition from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Tale of the Mandarin Ducks by Katherine Paterson from Puffin Books for Preschool- 3rd Grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco from Philomel Books Autobiographical Picture Book for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz from Farrar, Straus and Giroux for Preschool-2nd grade 1980 Caldecott Honor Book in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $2.80 (1 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)
	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) $6.40 (1 in stock)
	Travels of Babar OSI by Jean de Brunhoff from Random House Books for Young Readers for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $4.80 (1 in stock)
	Wangari's Trees of Peace A True Story from Africa by Jeanette Winter 1^st edition from HMH Books for Young Readers for Preschool-1st grade in Biographies (Location: BIO) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	We're Sailing to Galapagos A Week in the Pacific by Laurie Krebs 1St Edition from Barefoot Books for Preschool-1st grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston from Puffin Books for Nursery-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $7.64 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	Yeh-Shen A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie from Puffin Books for Preschool-2nd grade in Picture Books (Location: PICTURE) $6.79 $3.60 (1 in stock)
	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) $11.20 (1 in stock)

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