By now we’ve heard over and over again how important it is for parents to read to their children and encourage them to read on their own. Doing so:

Yet for many busy parents and teachers, it’s hard to know which books are both worthwhile and enjoyable for children to read. That’s when Elizabeth Wilson’s work, Books Children Love, comes in handy.

As a child I remember this book being my mother’s regular companion during our trips to the library. Now as an adult, I can see why.

Books Children Love contains hundreds of classic titles all personally read by Wilson. Books are divided into categories such as literature, history, biography, and even crafts, humor, and drama. Each entry offers publication information, age range, and even a short synopsis of the book as a parental “cheat sheet.”

But Wilson’s listing is more than just another top-books-every-child-should-read list. This is because Wilson took care to only include books that were well-written, inspiring, and interesting to children.  

British author and educator Charlotte Mason once said, “The most common and the monstrous defect in the education of the day is that children fail to acquire the habit of reading.”

Would we overcome this education defect if more parents placed good, interesting books in front of their children?

P.S. For those interested in finding good books for children to read, Honey for a Child’s Heart is another great place to get ideas!