In this article, the author reminisces about the pleasure she derived from growing up in a "book-rich" home, and how that developed into a lifelong love of reading. Today, one-third of all children do not have books in their homes, and, even though they may have access to books over the Internet or at a library, the author contends that this is…

The most powerful determinants of children's reading seem to be 1) accessibility, 2) readability, and 3) interest. (Author/PF)

In an effort to demonstrate the influence of reading, a reading and skills improvement instructor asked college students what book made the greatest difference in their lives and what that difference was. The instructor polled 120 students and listed 20 of those responses and their emotional reactions. Book titles ranged from "The Bible" and "A…

Discusses the 1985 American Booksellers' Convention in San Francisco and the growing proliferation of children's bookstores. (EL)

Focuses on the period in which the idea of reading for entertainment asserted itself with particular vigor in the area of children's literature, the period following the Civil War in the United States. (Author)

Examines the increasing demand for baby books for the children of "baby boomers." Discusses subjects and authors of board books. (EL)

Describes a technique that allows children to share their reading interests with others. (FL)

An interview with Maurice Sendak, illustrator and writer of childrens literature. (RB)

A survey shows that in 1992, 60.9 percent of American adults read at least one book in a year, which was 56.6 percent in 2002. For literary texts the figure was 54 percent in 1992, which reduced to 46.7 percent in 2002. According to the California State Librarian Emeritus Kevin Starr the decline in reading is connected with several cultural…

This book presents an informal history of books and reading, beginning with the first clay tablets and continuing on to the latest novels. The history recounted in the book reveals the power books have always had to delight and entertain, and to enlighten, educate, and "raise possibilities." But the story of reading also contains many…

The winner of the l985 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award in the category of board books explains that the photographs in her book "1, 2, 3" are truly international. (EL)

Children rated books they had read; the more recently a book was read the more likely it was to be rated as enjoyable. The findings are discussed with reference to the problems of teachers and librarians who select books for children. (Editor)