The 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury: Picture Books and Stories to Read Aloud
Believe it or not, 44 complete read-aloud classics and future classics--fromGoodnight MoontoStellaluna--are packed in this remarkably svelte, positively historic anthology. Flipping through the 308 pages ofThe 20th-Century Children's Book Treasuryis like browsing a photo album of beloved friends and family. The familiar faces of Curious George and Ferdinand the Bull peer earnestly from the pages, and scenes fromMadelineandMillions of Catsresonate as if you just experienced them yesterday. Think of the advantages of carrying this book on a vacation instead of a suitcase of single titles! (Your kids can always revisit their dog-eared hardcovers when they get home.)This impressive collection of concept books, wordless books, picture books, and read-aloud stories was artfully compiled by longtime children's book editor and publisher Janet Schulman. Stories are coded red, blue, and green to designate age groupings from baby/toddler books such asWhose Mouse Are You?, through preschool books such asWhere the Wild Things Are, to longer stories for ages 5 and older such asAlexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.The reason the book isn't bigger than Babar is because many of the illustrations from each story were reduced or removed to fitthe anthology's format.  (Leo Lionni'sSwimmy, for example, takes up 5 pages total, compared to its original 29 pages.)  Brief biographical notes that are surprisingly quirky shine a little light on the 62 authors and illustrators, and an index helps, too, for the child who likes one story best. We love the idea of being within easy reach of a Star-Belly Sneetch, a William Steig donkey, and a Sendak monster at all times, and we're sure your little bookworms will, too. (Click to see  asample spreadfromThe 20th-Century Children's Book Treasury, compilation copyright © 1998 by Janet Schulman, illustrations © renewed 1997 by William Steig.) (All ages)--Karin Snelson