The Arbuthnot Anthology of Children's Literature

A collection of poetry, folklore, short stories, biographies, and other non-fiction. Includes a history and discussion of children's literature with suggestions for using this literature. Part one includes over 500 poems about people, animals, traveling, play, humor, magic and make believe, wind and water, days and seasons, wisdom and beauty. Part two is Time for Magic and is a collection of folk tales, myths, epics, hero tales, and modern fantasy. Some of stories are: Story of the Three Bears; Story of the Three Little Pigs; Henny Penny; The Bride Who Out Talked the Water Kelpie; Connla and the Fairy Maiden; Hansel and Gretel; Clever Elsie; Snow White and Seven Dwarfs; The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood; Cinderella; Beauty and the Beast; The Pancake; The Husband Who Was to Mind the House; Little Freddy with His Fiddle; Mida; The Golden Touch; Gilgamesh; Charlotte's Web; The Real Princess; The Borrowers (Danger!); The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Alice's Adventures in Wonderland; The Hobbit; The Pushcart War (The Pea Shooter Campaign..Phase I); The Twenty One Balloons; Farmer in the Sky; A Wrinkle in Time (Aunt Beast); And many, many more!!!! Part Three covers Time for Realism: Facts and Fiction Some stories are: Did You Carry the Flag Today, Charley? from The Thing by Rebecca Caudill; Ellen Tebbits, Justin Morgan had a Horse, The Midnight Fox, The Family Under the Bridge, Capricorn Bracelet, Calico Bush, Johnny Tremaine, And many more... Biographies: The Seven Queens of England, Penn: The Trial, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Paul Revere, Helen Keller, Shirley Chisholm, Etc. Part four covers children's literature published, awards, etc. 1089 pages.

This anthology, with it's many selections from classic to modern children's literature, was a gateway to many different works for me. I learned my love of diverse literature from this book when I was a child. Any child who received this book would be receiving a gift beyond value.

I read this book when I was little, I read this book when I was big, and if I get the chance, all my children will do the same. I first picked up a copy for 25 cents at a boyscout garage sale and it has remained my all time favorite. It has stories, poems and many other styles of literature that have lead to my being an admitted book worm. I hope that there will always be books like these.