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amibunk's review against another edition
3.0
I probably would have liked this book better if I recognized more of the "celebrities" and more of the children's literature.
elidavis's review against another edition
4.0
fun and insightful to learn about the impact of reading and children's literature on children and adults.
misajane79's review against another edition
4.0
Gift from Cari. Stayed up too late last night flipping through it.
I've been reading this in small bits for the last few weeks. Like many essay compilations, some are much better than others. And I wish that some were more in depth. Most books recieved one page excerpt, a tiny column with background/synopsis (some very interesting info there) and then the "famous person's" essay. All is very brief, but gets right to the heart of the matter.
The range of people was fascinating, though most of my favorites were by writers.
Definitely recommended--and have probably added more than a few books to my to-read list. I was also amazed at how many books follow my kidlit history ideas.
I've been reading this in small bits for the last few weeks. Like many essay compilations, some are much better than others. And I wish that some were more in depth. Most books recieved one page excerpt, a tiny column with background/synopsis (some very interesting info there) and then the "famous person's" essay. All is very brief, but gets right to the heart of the matter.
The range of people was fascinating, though most of my favorites were by writers.
Definitely recommended--and have probably added more than a few books to my to-read list. I was also amazed at how many books follow my kidlit history ideas.
juliana_aldous's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet collection of over 100 mini-essays by prominent folks on the children’s book that influenced them the most. Each book is profiled with a one-page excerpt, a commentary by the editor Anita Silvey on the history of the book profiled, and then words from authors, scientists, educators, actors and others and what that particular book or author inspired in them.
As an omnivore I would have a hard time picking just one title out of so many that I love but it was great to see many of those titles appear here. I have so many memories of reading and books. I remember distinctly the first time in first grade when I decided to stroll over to the big kid’s section and chose a big book to read—I believe it was a Hardy’s boy mystery. The book was scary to read and it took me a long time, but I felt very grown-up. I remember in third grade the first time I read Charlotte’s Web and crying at the end. I also remember the serendipity of coming home from school carrying Little House in the Big Woods and my Mom had picked up Little House on the Prairie for me at the library on the same day. I remember sitting in the mall at Waldenbooks engrossed in a Little Princess and then buying it and taking it home where I read it non-stop.
I remember my seventh grade science teacher reading Amnityville Horror out loud to our class on short days. I never did read the book myself, but he scared the bejeezus out of me and I still have him to thank that I can't sleep with my closet door open.
So many books...so many memories.
Right now I'm reading the Secret Garden to my daughter. We are just starting and she says she doesn't like it--she would prefer a book she picked out. So we read one of hers and then this one which is mine. But I've been noticing that as the story goes along she is protesting less and less so I hold out hope yet. I have so many great memories of reading to her. She is eight now and I've read to her since she was an infant.
As an omnivore I would have a hard time picking just one title out of so many that I love but it was great to see many of those titles appear here. I have so many memories of reading and books. I remember distinctly the first time in first grade when I decided to stroll over to the big kid’s section and chose a big book to read—I believe it was a Hardy’s boy mystery. The book was scary to read and it took me a long time, but I felt very grown-up. I remember in third grade the first time I read Charlotte’s Web and crying at the end. I also remember the serendipity of coming home from school carrying Little House in the Big Woods and my Mom had picked up Little House on the Prairie for me at the library on the same day. I remember sitting in the mall at Waldenbooks engrossed in a Little Princess and then buying it and taking it home where I read it non-stop.
I remember my seventh grade science teacher reading Amnityville Horror out loud to our class on short days. I never did read the book myself, but he scared the bejeezus out of me and I still have him to thank that I can't sleep with my closet door open.
So many books...so many memories.
Right now I'm reading the Secret Garden to my daughter. We are just starting and she says she doesn't like it--she would prefer a book she picked out. So we read one of hers and then this one which is mine. But I've been noticing that as the story goes along she is protesting less and less so I hold out hope yet. I have so many great memories of reading to her. She is eight now and I've read to her since she was an infant.
emilybriano's review against another edition
5.0
Inspirational. I'm glad I purchased this book, instead of just getting it from the library. This is a book I will go back to again and again. I feel under-read in the area of "old children's classics" which are a majority of the books referenced. I was glad to see many of my childhood favorites included, and intrigued my many I had never heard of before. I am continually amazed at the power of children's literature to help us grasp larger, complex truths. This book really captures the transformative power of children's literature for young and old alike. It's never too late to pick up a children's book....
catgood's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite what I had anticipated but a lovely book where different notable people (authors, actors, etc) discuss what they learned from a particular children’s book. The short descriptions of the books were as interesting as the essays from the contributors!
anitad's review against another edition
4.0
I found this in the childrens section of the library when i was searching for books for the kids program last week. it contains excerpts from childrens books. and a quote or two from people who have been influenced by that book. it also contains a paragraph of information about the author. i enjoyed remembering old friends as i read about books i had read and meeting new friends as i read about books i have yet to read.
booksaremagic's review
4.0
This is a compilation of essays from "notable people" who were strongly influenced by a particular book. Includes an excerpt of each of these books, illustrations, and synopses. Brief biographies of each of the notable people in the back. I found myself reading several of these essays out loud to my husband and son. Fascinating and fun and thought-provoking. Notable people include authors, illustrators, poets, politicians, executives, actors, and more.
One example: a heart surgeon who loved the Oz books since childhood now thinks about this Tin Woodman quote all the time: "I will bear all the happiness without a murmur, if you will give me a heart."
One example: a heart surgeon who loved the Oz books since childhood now thinks about this Tin Woodman quote all the time: "I will bear all the happiness without a murmur, if you will give me a heart."
bookwormmichelle's review
5.0
This book was MARVELOUS. I was initially a little nervous, as I've read some pretty bad "famous people commenting on their favorite books" compilations lately. Perhaps the key here is getting intelligent people to comment on their favorite CHILDREN's book, one that affected their lives in some way. Perhaps this helps people lose some of the self-consciousness I've seen in this type of book and gain back some of the joy of a child finding himself in a book. Whatever it is, this book is wonderful. I love the great variety of books cited--from predictable favorites like The Hobbit, or Little House on the Prairie, all the way to some offbeat choices ("Pink Ice Cream" or "The King, The Mice and the Cheese"?) I loved the heartfelt memories shared by the contributors. I spent a lot of time echoing their sentiments (Yes! I remember EXACTLY how I felt when I encountered Jo March) wondering at the books I did not know (hmm, wonder how many my library has), thinking of books left out (What??? No "The Endless Steppe" or "The Hundred Dresses" or "Betsy-Tacy" or "Anne of Green Gables"??? What were they thinking???) and even more time reminiscing about the books that I loved as a child and that still affect me today. Loved this quote from a contributor---"Reason 1,000,001 to have children--you get to read children's books all over again, no apologies or explanations required. And you get to understand them in a whole new way."
Or this one, from author Graham Greene "Perhaps it is only in childhood tha tbooks have any deep influence on our lives . . . In childhood, all books are books of divination, telling us the future."
Lovely, lovely book!
Or this one, from author Graham Greene "Perhaps it is only in childhood tha tbooks have any deep influence on our lives . . . In childhood, all books are books of divination, telling us the future."
Lovely, lovely book!
melerihaf's review
4.0
The thing that makes this book so fun is the variety of people to whom children's books mattered. I was expecting mostly children's authors when I picked up this book, and discovered actors and scientists and athletes and musicians, too. It was fun when people picked books that I also loved. In addition, it inspired some really good conversations between me and family members when we discussed what we would have said had we been asked. I loved the variety. I also loved that some books that some people might see as worthless, like the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, inspired some people. I though that was so cool. The only thing that would have made this book better for me is if the mini-bio of the person who wrote each piece had been on the page with their choice, instead of in the back. I will admit I didn't recognize all the names, and it bugged me to have to flip to the back to find out who they were.