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.
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