This book is an invaluable guide for parents and young readers in search of the crème de la crème of children’s fiction. The selection made by Brian Alderson, President of The Beatrix Potter Society, is arranged chronologically beginning with The Pilgrim’s Progress – which is still told to children in one form or another. The reader is then taken through a mini – history of the most outstanding stories whose words have appealed to the child’s imagination. The selection ends with J.K. Rowling.

The chosen books (many with examples of their illustrations) include not just the classics of the genre, but many neglected masterpieces which may not be so familiar to the general reader. As a bonus, the author provides an additional list of recommended works drawn entirely from the 20^th century.

The author’s opinions* are often outspoken but always entertaining. The 100 Best Children’s Books will doubtless become a classic volume in itself, providing a unique and indispensable reference guide to the books that have inspired and entertained countless generations.

(*Members of the Beatrix Potter Society will be pleased to note that Brian chooses The Tailor of Gloucester as his Beatrix Potter entry.)