There are so many great children's books out there. How do you choose the must-reads that match your child's interest and reading level? To help simply your selection process, award-winning author Bianca Schulze has curated a list of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition): Timeless Tales and New Adventures Kids Will Love to Read. Check it out and enter to win a wonderful cozy reading bundle!
My Review:
Drawing on her years of experience and expertise in reading, writing and reviewing children's literature, Bianca brings us this revised version of her very first publication: 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up, a comprehensive and interactive illustrated kidlit reference guide which doubles as a reading journal for young readers to jot down their thoughts, ratings, reactions and impressions.
Primarily organized by book format that corresponds to different stages of reading development, the guide recommends 101 worthy reads for children aged 4-12, starting from picture books to novels for tweens and including timeless classics like The Black Beauty, Treasure Island, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, as well as contemporary bestsellers like Wonder, Dairy of a Whimpy Kid, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The books selected span a wide range of genres from adventure and fantasy to memoir and poetry, and are readily searchable via the "Titles by Genre" Index in the back.
Instead of being a boring list of book recommendations, the guide is an engaging and enjoyable read in and of itself. Each page not only covers important information about the book (age group, genre, publisher, publication date, and page count), but also provides a captivating summary accompanied by a succinct review highlighting the book's theme and key messages. Besides, it arouses young readers' interest by introducing fun facts about each book in the form of interactive questions. Each book entry also includes recommendations of other books by the same author and related works by other authors. Furthermore, it leaves space for readers to note down if the book has been read, their rating on a scale of 1-5 stars, their favorite character and anything else. The colorful and playful illustrations add humor to the presentation while helping spark a love of reading.
One more thing that makes this book stand out is that it goes beyond merely suggesting books to read and explains why these titles deserve to be read and treasured. Bianca takes care to select books that promote kindness, empathy, diversity, creativity and positivity. As they check off more items on this to-read list, young learners will not only make impressive progress in their reading skills, but will likely improve their social-emotional skills as well.
Creatively designed and neatly structured, 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) marks the perfect starting point for raising a passionate reader who is also compassionate, considerate and confident.
About the Book:
Ages: 4-12+ | 144 Pages
Publisher: Walter Foster Jr. (2025) | ISBN: 978-0760397763
Discover new books, document your favorites, learn fun facts about books and authors, and develop a lifelong reading habit.
101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) is the ultimate reading guide for kids ages 4 to 12+, packed with 101 kid-friendly book recommendations and interactive features to inspire young readers. This revised edition includes diverse voices and graphic novels and reflects current educational trends, making it a modern and inclusive reading guide for young readers today. From classics like Where the Wild Things Are, Beezus and Ramona, and The Phantom Tollbooth to newer favorites such as Big, New Kid, and Brown Girl Dreaming, this inspiring guide covers every stage of a young reader’s journey.
Designed as an engaging journal, this book allows you to document your reading journey by noting which books you’ve read, why you love them, and how you rate each one.
Each book entry includes:
- Brief description and quote: Provides insight into the book’s story, theme, and style.
- Engaging illustrations: Feature characters or key elements from each book.
- “Did you know?” facts: Fun tidbits about the book or author to spark curiosity.
- “What to read next?”: Recommendations to help you find more books you’ll love.
- Interactive rating and note space: A place for you to rate and write about your experience with each book.
Organized by book format (picture books, early readers, chapter books, and more) and cross-indexed by subjects like fairy tales, fantasy, sports, and nonfiction, 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up promotes family reading time and encourages lifelong reading habits.
Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org
About the Author:
Award-winning author Bianca Schulze has captivated young readers worldwide with her beloved picture books, including the international bestseller Don’t Wake the Dragon. As the founder and editor-in-chief of The Children’s Book Review, she has established herself as a trusted voice in children’s literature, championing literacy and quality storytelling for over a decade. As host of the popular The Growing Readers Podcast, Bianca connects authors, educators, and families, sharing her passion for books that inspire young minds. Originally from Sydney, Australia, she now creates, writes, and raises her three children with her husband near Boulder, Colorado.
For more information, check out biancaschulze.com. Follow Bianca on Instagram and Bluesky.
One Grand Prize winner will receive a signed copy of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition), a reading light, a cozy blanket and a $25 gift card to bookshop.org!
Two additional winners will each receive a signed copy of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition)!
Giveaway ends 10/9. Open to US only. Please enter below. Good luck!
101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition): Book GiveawayDisclosure: This post is sponsored by The Children’s Book Review. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
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