Childhood is brief

"Childhood is brief, and without some guidance a child may miss what is quality reading and never discover the pleasure of a well-written book" (Gladys Hunt in Honey for a Child's Heart).

One of the consequences of the current ease of printing is that there are many children's books in print that are simply not worth reading. So when teachers say, "The most important thing you can do is read with your child," (like I did), that is only half of the story. If you go the library and take a book at random, it is likely that it is not good literature - if my public library is any measure. As Hunt says, "That's why book lists are helpful." Giving parents a book list provides a shortcut to books that will capture their imaginations and their hearts, and give them a hunger to devour really good children's literature. Once the cycle is begun, it tends not to need as much encouragement. If the first venture to the library is met by books that are less than captivating, then it is likely that the parent will pick up the remote control and turn on the television rather than traipsing out to the library again.

One such list is Jim Trelease's. Gladys Hunt also has a wonderful list in Honey for a Child's Heart.