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(More customer reviews)Having been a schoolteacher now for the past eighteen years, children's literature has been a mainstay of my profesion. Choosing the literature you read and use with your children is of prime importance. Most of the time, I elect to use books that are not only entertaining, but rich with lessons or thoughts that inspire deeper thinking. "Minders of Make Believe" is a treasure trove of history behind children's literature in our country, and the debate between instructive and entertaining.
Leonard Marcus' interesting recount of the history of children's literature literally begins with the founding of our country, and the first "books" produced for children, starting with "The New England Primer". Two camps formed; should our kiddie lit teach or amuse? Marcus traces the development through the years, including some fascinating information on authors like Dr. Seuss (and his revolutionary Cat in the Hat), and Maurice Sendak.
I've always chosen books that essentially come from both camps. If I am going to spend time with a story or book in my class, it has to have some "meat" to it's tale to make it worth my time. It must also be interesting enough to children for them to want to devour that meat. After reading Marcus' fascinating book, I don't think I'll ever feast on another children's book in exactly the same way again!
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