Anita Silvey -- Children's and Young Adult Book Expert

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Anita,
My daughter (a Children's librarian in Cambridge, MA) had the opportunity to hear you speak and she bought me "Everything I need to Learn I Learned from a Children's book". It is fabulous. I can not believe how much it has inspired me to read the classic children's literature. As a fifth grade teacher, I have the great opportunity to share these wonderful books with my students. (I wish I could read faster! There are so many I long to share!) Your book has been a highlight to my summer reading. I really enjoy your books and value your input and incredible background with children's literature. I have always read "Anne of Green Gables" to my class because it is filled with great adventures and lessons. We have an "Avonlea Tea" party where the students can invite parents and grandparents for a grand affair. So fun! Now I want to incorporate so many more great books! Thank you for the inspiration!
Sincerely,
Sue Pennell

Hello Anita,
I just wanted to ask you if you have any suggestions in launching childres' books? what would be important point to know? Thank you!

The first book I ever checked out from a public library was "Summer of the Falcon" by Jean Craighead George. I was in sixth grade and it changed my life because it was the first time I was completely engrossed in a book. It is also the book that symbolizes my first discovery of librarians and libraries (I can still picture myself standing in the stacks and having that book plucked off the shelf by a librarian and handed to me). Now I am a school librarian and enjoy helping kids discover books every day. I love "Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children's Book." Thank you!

Thank you for this comment. Jean Craighead George just celebrated 90. She is one of those great writers whose work has influenced generations. Robert Kennedy Jr. wrote a beautiful tribute to her in the book. I love that you remember the librarian who gave it to you -- almost everyone I interviewed also talked about the person who gave them their beloved book.

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT is a surefire winner!

It certainly is. Have you read Kate diCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a 2006 title? Fans of The Velveteen Rabbit usually love it.

Our public library had a copy of 500 Great Books for Teens on their NEW RELEASES shelf and I couldn't resist checking it out. I kept it for the full three weeks and have decided I just have to purchase my own copy soon! Your annotations are so complete and insightful. My English 9 students are enjoying listening to one of your suggestions they chose as our current read-aloud. We'll be starting another one you recommended once we finish this one. We also use the book Help Wanted with our seniors and they love the selections. Thanks for all your hard work on these texts.

Thank you for your comments. It always makes me happy to learn that my books are helpful, being used, and providing choices for young readers.

I was engrossed in reading 100 Best Books for Children the past few evenings. (I can only say it reminded me of reading cookbooks, which I also like to do.) I read all the time to my children when they were growing up (one daughter went on to help set up a Family Library at the South Bend Homeless Shelter while a student at Notre Dame). When talking about your book to my daughter, now 25 years old, she asked if you had included several of her favorites. The ones you missed are: Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card The Last Book in the Universe, W. Rodman Philbrick The 101 Dalmations: The original novel, Dodie Smith (We both remember staying up 'til 11 PM on a school night to finish this book!) Bunnicula, Deborah and James Howe Twenty and Ten, Claire Hutchet Bishop Surviving the Applewhites, Stephanie Tolan The Ordinary Princess The Dorrie books, Patricia Coombs My daughter then proceeded to quote the entire King Bidgood's in the Bathtub book! Thanks! Marci Prins

Marci, thanks so much for these suggestions, all great ones. After I finished 100 Best Books for Children, I wrote another book entitled "500 Great Books for Teens" I included a lot of your selections in that volume, which focuses on books for 12 to 18 year olds.

As a third grader my favorite book was David and the Phoenix (back in the 1960s). I own a copy but I imagine it is out of print now. Perhaps that book is why, as a middle-aged adult, I love Harry Potter and other YA fantasy fiction. I also love Bootsie Barker Bites! The illustrations and text make me laugh. L.H.

Thanks for reminding everyone of 'Bootsie Barker Bites!' -- an outrageously funny book.

Just heard your interview on WZLX.(Nov.6) Wonderfully insightful! I wonder if I could have you comment on one of my all time favorites, "The Many Lives Of Chio and Goro" by Betty Jean Lifton 1968 W W Norton & CO NY Thank you, K. Garner

Thank you for recommending this book, which I didn't know. I find its theme unusual and quite compelling. It strikes me as the kind of book that could be successfully republished, with more contemporary art. The preseparate art dates it; the text might be even better received today than it probably was in the 1970s..

Thanks for this great resource. I give it to everyone I can as a baby gift, to get them started in the right direction.

Thanks for your book. I have been enjoying the stories about how each book came to be. We read alot at our house, and wanted to put in our two cents. My four year old wanted it known that Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham is his favorite book. Here are my older son's comments: My favorite book is Eragon,by Christopher Paolini. It's the best book I've ever read because the main characters, Eragon and Saphira, are really cool.

Please tell your older son that Eragon will be featured in my next book, 500 Great Books for Teens, which will recommend the best books for 12 to 18 year olds. It will be published in the fall of 2006. I even used his reasons for liking the book in my essay on Eragon. A.S.

I was wondering if you had ever considered The Lion and the Little Red Bird by Elisa Klevin to be part of your list? Thanks! Wendy

Because I was looking for classics, books that have moved to the next generation, any book published after 1988 had an extremely difficult time making the list. Basically I had to believe that it was destined to become a classic. I looked for major awards or books selected frequently for children-voted awards (Because of Winn Dixie); I examined those books that already had significant media attention and/or sales(Harry Potter). That left out of consideration titles like The Lion and the Little Red Bird published in 1996. But I know that sometimes books, like Goodnight Moon, have quiet beginnings, and grow over time in their influence. So I'll keep my eye on it. You may well be right; it may move to the next generation. A.S.

You missed my #1 favorite, The Big Orange Splot. As as school librarian and former classroom teacher I have read it to so many children. It is wonderful to see their excitement as the story unfolds.

Thanks for your recommendation. If I ever do a revision on the book, I'll seriously look at The Big Orange Splot. In the back of the book, I have two pages for people to include their own favorites. With only 100 titles, naturally I'm going to miss many personal favorites. However, like you, I love Pinkwater's comic genius; I've given him an extensive article in The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators.
A.S.

Thank you for responding! I forgot to mention that the author for A Rose for Mr. Bloom is Bernard Waber. I've read it aloud to my children's kindergarten and first grade classes and it received high praise - they even talked about it days later which I have found to be a rarity with so many children absorbed with television, video games etc. I'd love to hear a read-aloud recommended list from you but will use The Read Aloud handbook in the meantime. Look forward to your future books! Thanks again!

I do know this picture book, and it is a gem. You might consider writing Walter Lorraine, Houghton Mifflin, 222 Berkeley St., Boston, Ma. 02116. He's Bernie Waber's editor and has put some of Bernie's books back into print from time to time. I'm sure Walter would like to hear about your experiences with the book. If I could have listed 100 picture books I would definitely have included Ira Sleeps Over and Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. A.S.

Your book 100 Best Books for Children is excellent! As a parent, I use it constantly and also give it as a gift whenever I can! I would be interested in hearing your opinion on the the book A Rose for Mr. Bloom - it is out of print but was recommended to me by a librarian of many years. I think it would be perfect on your list! Also, in the future, would you ever consider compiling a list or writing a book of the best books to read-aloud to grades preschool through 8th grade?! That would has be a valuable resource. Thanks again for your great book! Also, do you think you'll do an update version to include years 2003+?

Thanks for your kind comments. I always enjoy hearing how the book is being used. I'll get a copy of A Rose for Mr. Bloom and take a look. I'm not familiar with it. However, being currently in print was one of my criteria for 100 Best. I recommend Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook for the early grades. A.S.

A lady in my writer's club handed me your 100 Best Books for Children. I didn't know your book would have such an impact on me as I am currently taking a children's literature course. I have used several quotes from your book for my essays. I have found the information in your book most useful and enjoyable, but I was wondering why Nancy Drew was not included as one of your selections. Again, I am most impressed with your book. Dana Friestadt

For 100 Best Books I selected titles of "the highest quality of writing and artistic excellence." There are many books, including Nancy Drew, that have exhibited great popular appeal over time. I was hunting for books that had been popular but were also standard bearers for writing and art. If you need information on Nancy Drew, Children's Books and Their Creators includes a very fine essay. In general, I believe anything that keeps children reading has merit. But for 100 Best Books I only selected the ones that I could read and reread if I were stranded on a desert island. A.S.

I've been meaning to tell you for months how much I've enjoyed "100 Best Books for Children." It's a terrific resource. I also liked your "Beyond the 100 Best" list, which is where I found several of my favorites. The only book that I didn't find anywhere was "King Bidgood's in the Bathtub." I miss the Woods' painterly books.
Paula Brandt