HarperCollins Treasury of Picture Book Classics: A Child's First Collection

This is the kind of book that should sell itself -- a collection of classic children's stories. At a time when going to the children's section of any bookstore can be overwhelming, it's a relief to find something like the Harper Collins Treasury of Picture Book Classics. It takes away all the guesswork by being filled with over a dozen stories that are already tried and true, stories that are proven entertainment to a wide variety of children. And they're all in one book (though it's a heavy sucker, to say the least). The contents are as follows:

• Goodnight Moon written by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd
• Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
• Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
• Crictor by Tomi Ungerer
• A Baby Sister for Frances written by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban
• Leo the Late Bloomer written by Robert Kraus, illustrated by Jose Aruego
• William's Doll written by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by William Pène Du Bois
• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie written by Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond
• George Shrinks by William Joyce
• Baby Says by John Steptoe
• From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
• Pete's a Pizza by William Steig

In addition to these timeless stories, the Harper Collins Treasury of Picture Book Classics contains short author and illustrator biographies (such as what other books they've done) and useful ideas for sharing the story further with children (like concepts to discuss). And all proceeds from the purchase go to First Book, which donates books to needy families. It's a win-win situation, and not only for you and your children, but for others as well.