Anita Silvey -- Children's and Young Adult Book Expert

Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children's Book

In this captivating and inspiring volume more than 100 leaders from the arts, sciences, business, and politics recall a children's book that they loved and discuss its impact on their lives. Insightful, funny, and often surprising, the contributions illuminate the lives of a fascinating range of people and introduce readers to a selection of the best books for the young. Each essay is accompanied by an excerpt and illustrations from the selected book and an informative background essay by Anita Silvey.

As she writes in the Introduction, "When we give children books, we become part of their future, part of their most cherished memories, and part of their entire life. Children's books change lives."

From October through April 2010, Anita Silvey will be touring the country to talk about this book. "It would be hard to find a more authoritative voice," PW has written about her. To request Miss Silvey as a speaker, please contact booking@​windingoak.com.

Selected reviews

"This volume -- perfect for any gift-giving occasion -- will inspire adults to enhance their family lives and contribute to the future of our society through the good books they choose to share with their children." -- BookPage

"a delightful nostalgic exercise in which prominent people reflect on the children's stories that shaped them."-- The Wall Street Journal

"Silvey's book includes mini-essays and interviews with more than 100 accomplished Americans, from businessmen and politicians to artists, athletes, and actors. Writers like Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume are also included, showing how a love of reading is handed down from one generation to the next." -- Parade Magazine

"Place a book in a child's hands and you never know what will happen." -- School Library Journal's Curriculum Connections