An invaluable guide for parents and young readers in search of the crème de la crème of children's fiction. The selection, made by critic and writer, Brian Alderson, 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 20th century.