The Children's Treasury

The Children's Treasury is a special collection of classic children's literature. As they look over the contents, both children and adults will recognize the names of stories they love and have loved, such as "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp" and "Rapunzul"; chapters from Treasure Island, Anne of Green Gables, The Wind in the Willows; and poems by Edward Lear, Robert Frost, and Dennis Lee. This delightful collection of literary treasures invites its readers to enjoy a lifetime of reading.

To the Reader:

Adults will tell you that the book you are holding is an anthology, or collection, of classic children's literature. As they look over the contents, they will recognize the names of stories they have loved. Perhaps they will be especially happy to see "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp" and "Rapunzel", or chapters from Treasure Island, Anne of Green Gables, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Wind in the Willows - or poems by Edward Lear, Elizabeth Coatsworth, Robert Frost, and Dennis Lee. Perhaps someone has made a gift of this book to you because he or she rightly saw all the treasures that it holds.

Now I want to tell you what I have felt as I have worked on The Children's Treasury. I would not try to tell you that you are not holding a book - what I want you to consider is that you are also holding an invitation. This book really invites you to enjoy a lifetime of reading.

I don't expect you to read it efficiently - cover to cover. Start by reading what looks most interesting to you. When you find something you really like, go to the library, or to a book store, and you will discover more of what you've enjoyed here. I can make that a promise because I know that these writers and poets are among the best of all time. I know, too, that the kinds of stories here - folktales, fairy tales, and fables - are so popular that they fill volumes.

And what happens when you think you have finished reading The Children's Treasury? Well, I don't think that will ever happen. I have read "The Village Blacksmith" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow dozens of times, but I don't feel that I have ever "finished" reading it. I feel the same way about Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" and...I know you will find your favourites, too.

So, there you have my idea of the book you are now holding - it is an invitation that you can make last forever. Have you ever had a better invitation?

- Paula S. Goepfert, Editor