by: Gladys Hunt
Honey for a Child's Heart is a guide to quality children's literature. Its book lists include everything from well known classics to many books you may never heard of before but will enjoy reading nonetheless. It is not only a book list though. The first half of the book discusses everything from the ways reading affects both children’s view of the world and their imagination to how to choose good books and why that is important (i.e. the honey for a child's heart concept) to what are poetry/fantasy/realism genres. The author stresses not only the importance of reading good literature for a child's academic advancement but for the pure joy of reading and the value and beauty of sharing that experience together as a family. I really enjoyed reading Ms. Hunt's views on this subject.

The book does have extensive book lists. (That is the reason that I initially bought the book!) The lists are catagorized by the reader's age, book subject, and/or author. The age recommendations range all the way from picture books to fourteen years old.

This book was intially published in 1969 and is currently in its 4th edition. Each edition has updated book lists which maintain the classic recommendations but also include more modern selections.

I have found this book to be a great resource. I have discovered many books and authors of which I had never heard. This is especially helpful for parents with an avid reader on their hands -- someone who blows through 10 books or more a week! We need fresh, quality literature recommendations! :) We also enjoy 'read alouds' as a family and this book has many great ones! I also especially appreciate the lists as a resource for 'boy' books. I have found that I know loads of 'girl' books but have a fairly limited knowledge of books the appeal mostly to boys. (This is a concern since I have all boys!! :) ).

One caution regarding this book: Even though the author does have a section devoted to 'Nourishing Your Child's Spiritual Lives' this book is not exclusively Christian. There are a number of books included in this book that my husband and I do not find acceptable. Therefore be aware that you may need to review the books prior to giving them to your children to read and judge their level of appropriateness for yourself.