Presents an in-depth examination of the children's great books; that is, the literature that has made the most profound impact on the lives of children throughout Western history. In addition to its invaluable chronological list of titles, from ancient times to the present, the book provides both students and their parents the guidance they need to read leisurely or study formally the children's great books at home. The book's premise is that children often do not spend enough time with literature written or adapted for them before diving into adult works--Adapted from front flap.