Honey for a Child's Heart

by Gladys M. Hunt

Family favorite now revised and updated, including an annotated list of books for ages 0-12

Everything parents need to know to find the best books for their children

Since its publication in 1969, this has been an essential guide for parents wanting to find the best books for their children. Now in its fourth edition, Honey for a Child’s Heart discusses everything from the ways reading affects both children’s view of the world and their imagination to how to choose good books. Illustrated with drawings from dozens of favorites, it includes an indexed and updated list of the best new books on the market and the classics that you want your children to enjoy. Author Gladys Hunt’s tastes are broad, her advice is rooted in experience, and her suggestions will enrich the cultural and spiritual life of any home.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Education, Books About Books, Christian, Reference, Childrens

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Gladys Hunt was a well-known author and speaker. Her books include Honey for a Woman’s Heart, Honey for a Teen’s Heart, and Honey for a Child’s Heart (revised edition). She also wrote numerous Bible study guides for the Fisherman and Lifeguide series. She lived with her husband, Keith, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this strictly for the reading list at the back of the book. I had no expectation for the actual text of the book. This book has surprised me in every way! Gladys Hunt and I think just alike about reading and raising kids. This book encouraged me and spurred me on to make Bible reading a consistent part of our daily lives.

[Jami Balmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why it took me so long to read this book! It was so so good and I highly recommend it to EVERY parent, whether or not you homeschool! So much encouragement and so many tangible ideas packed inside 😍😍😍😍 I got it cheap on kindle but as soon as I finished it, I ordered the hard copy because this book is a keeper!!

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was mysteriously sent to me by an amazon seller with 'The Hero With a Thousand Faces' by Joseph Campbell. I didn't order it and it came with no explanation, so I had to read it. Obviously. It turns out that the purpose of 'Honey for A Child's Heart' is to promote reading to children as a positive and worthwhile pastime. Cool. Too bad the message is ruined by Hunt's view that being gay is an "unacceptable" and "inappropriate" subject for books or discussions with children. She also denounces divorce and tragic events as unsuitable, and condemns video games and television. That all this is delivered with the sickly sweet insistence of someone who is "speaking as a mother", and therefore knows best, repels me all the more. This isn't a gentle Christian guidebook, this is an insulting text that reduces Christian values to hatred and ignorance. It wasn't even researched well, she constantly uses brackets to display her idiocy: "Lemony Snicket (fictitious name?)"...ERGH

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were to open my copy of this title, you'd think it was a text book I had for some college course! There are various color highlights illuminating key points, numbers scribbled next to book recommendations indicating my scoring of them, and an assemblage of notes scattered here and there. And after taking two years to read over 500 books recommended in this one (there's more but my budget and my time said to call it good), I feel like I can safely say I gave it a thorough study.

I give this 4 stars. I found much of what Gladys Hunt said in the earlier portions of the book to be spot on and inspiring. I loved many of the quotes she inserted. I thought it was so fun how she included so many illustrations from various books she recommends. I'm so eternally grateful for several of the titles I was introduced to! I have some new, wonderful favorites. On the other hand, a few of the books I'm still scratching my head over and wondering why she recommended them. For that reason, I gave this the star-rating I did.

To see what I thought of all the books I read that she recommends, I created a shelf on GoodReads that you can view here.

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!

[Joanna Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I “happened” across this book in a thrift store and I have been so blessed and encouraged by it! Two best points are the chapter on reading Scripture or a Bible story book after meals, and the very extensive booklist— we’ll have book ideas for a long time!! On the negative side, this latest edition is already 15+ years old and she seems to be a fan of Harry Potter, which I can’t see for myself. 😆🤓

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this book! The author is a passionate proponent of reading and the importance of introducing it to a child early on.

The book's chapters include what kind of books to read to children, why to read to children, a tongue-in-cheek top ten list of "How to raise a non-reader", and of course, a list of "How to raise a reader".

The second part of the book is an annotated list of books for different ages and stages, up through the teen years.

"More than ever before, families have to repeatedly make consciencious decisions about what is valuable and then choose the best over the mediocre. If appreciation of beauty and the gift of articulation are meaningful to you, then I suggest that exposure to great writing is a necessity.

It's sometimes a choice; reading aloud to a child for a half hour, or calling a friend on the phone. Using the television as a morning baby-sitter, or finding a more imaginative way to entertain a child. Life is full of choices, and I find myself impatient with people who cry 'lack of time'. We make time for what we think is important, and in doing so we teach our children about what things really matter in life."

[Kiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Besides the treasure that is the extensive bibliography at the end of this book, Gladys Hunt gives such an inspiring treatise on the importance of creating a culture of reading in the home. This is as important a book for families today as it was at first publication 50 years ago, and perhaps even more so now that our society values reading less.

[Esta Doutrich]

When I’m stressed I read books about books. I don’t know how to rate them because I really have no idea if they are persuasive to those who are skeptical. I come to them only for comfort and to read something I am already completely familiar with and that I know I will agree with :)

[Michelle Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread for 2nd or 3rd time with Redeemed Reader this year. 2023

I had completely forgotten this was so much more than just a list of excellent book recommendations for children. There are about 10 essays related to reading with children throughout the book on topics such as “Honey from the Rock” (about the Bible), “Poetry,” “The Pleasure of a Shared Adventure.” Etc. Besides the wonderful lists of book recommendations that I used frequently when my children were young and still refer to.

From the chapter ‘Honey from the Rock’ full of practical advice for incorporating Bible reading into daily life with children: “But parents who never read God’s Word outside of an organized meeting of the church are not likely to send the urgency of instructing children in the most important truth in the world. If we really believe that knowing God and His Son is the most vital experience in the world, how dare we leave the responsibility for instruction to someone else?”

[Brittany Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went ahead and bought this one because it was one I will come back to in the future! It was challenging and thought provoking on not only the quality of books my kids are reading but on the importance of reading together. It had great suggestions on incorporating Bible reading into family life. Also, the second half of the book had an index of “good” books to read, broken up by age and genre which will be a life saver at the library.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just acknowledge that this book is written for a certain type of person, and I'm not that person. I did "tsk" at certain parts but I can't deny that it got me re-motivated to read aloud to my son so with that I'll cautiously recommend it.

[Julie Biles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 2nd edition around 1983 as a young mother when my husband and I were figuring out the role of children’s literature in our home. This book was most impacting! We often give the new editions to new parents today.

[Julia Bickford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great wisdom in why books are important! I appreciated especially the section on Bible reading with your children. The thorough book list at the end makes this book worthy of a read all on its own! I know we will be checking out or purchasing many of these amazing suggestions!

[Liesl Back · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book on nurturing your child's love for good literature, and how to identify good literature. Book list included. The author's opinion on specific books differs from mine as is to be expected, but the basic principles to be found in here are timeless.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic essays about why we should read to our children... and not just any books, but the great classic literature of the past (and present). Loved this.

[Adelaide Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent treatise on how family reading furnishes the mind and trains the affections toward truth, beauty, and goodness. Especially loved the "honey from the rock" chapter that explicitly states that feasting on the Word of God together is absolutely imperative, and there is no excuse for parents as to why we can't delightedly share the Bible together every day as a family. This was honey for my heart!

[Wendy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book is comprised of simple facts that are well known about books, but it's beautifully worded. The best part of this book is the second half which is an awesome list of books categorized into different ages and for different seasons. I've used this book to pick out gifts for all of my nieces and nephews with corresponding toys to match their books!! It was timely for this season!!

[Becca Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not really sure how I have missed reading this until now. I love Gladys Hunt’s Honey for a Teen’s Heart and Honey for a Woman’s Heart. This book was just as excellent. I love Hunt’s viewpoint and wisdom on choosing books for the entire family. This inspired me to continue reading aloud and choosing delightful books in my home.

I read the 2002 edition and will be picking up the more recently published edition.

[Laura Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated this book and would highly recommend it to parents of young children. The lengthy book lists which form the second half of the book include lots of books my children already love and many others I remember from my own childhood. I think it will prove really helpful at the library and when book shopping. I also really like the chapter on reading scripture with children. I plan to incorporate some of the ideas into our daily routines.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes a phenomenal book list for read alouds as a family and books for your children to enjoy, separated by age and genre. So helpful!!

[Joshua Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Resource on Books for Children

This book captures so much of what I want to do as a dad: shape my child’s heart towards what is true, good, and beautiful through good stories and examples. The book list at the end is excellent, and the advice given throughout is really helpful.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading books like this always make me wish I had read more to my children. There are so many benefits and so many great books.
The book lists are helpful.

A gift from David.

[Jeremy]

WORLD review here. Recommended here. For a website with book reviews for parents, see here.

Chapter 4: Fantasy and Realism (read on July 30–31, 2016)
55: Alice applies her current situation to her own life [reading the story you're in; cf. Tilt and learning to see]; fantasy and realism combined in one chapter [cf. Ryken's The Christian Imagination, in which fantasy and realism get separate chapters; cf. Children and Literature, which says, "The more fantastic the fantasy, the more necessary it is to supply a firm anchor in reality. . . . [F]antasy grows from . . . firmly established realism" (398–99)]; less harm when reading about danger (as opposed to danger in real life); pleasure of reading good stories [cf. Sidney stuff from ENG 2301]; paying attention [cf. Wilson's Writers to Read] to see the second meaning
56: real/unreal; "Good fantasy helps us see reality in unreality, credibility in incredibility"
57: psychology of happy endings (in a book titled The Uses of Enchantment—cf. Charles Taylor and post-secularism theme); delight and teach
58: but fantasy is not just a dressed up moral (see p. 55); Greek for fantasy means "making visible" [related to phantom]; favorite fantasies are by MacDonald, Lewis, and Tolkien
59: fantasy fiction makes application easy (better than a sermon does [cf. Herbert poem]); "Good literature should always make life larger"
59–61: fantasy changes lives
61: fantasy is not just for children (see p. 56)
61–63: bad "realistic" fiction of the late 1960s (see morals on p. 58); "'realism' binge"; "those gray books" vs. "a new, more hopeful kind of book"; "message books" that push a liberal agenda; understanding and compassion are necessary; combine ✓ quotes; adults are affected too; fantasy has more realism than the books of the "realism binge" (p. 62)
63: stories should "illumine what is true in significant ways"
64: "realism" shouldn't burden readers; reality isn't superior to fantasy; certain kinds of literature [gritty "realism"?] often makes readers less, not more

[Aidan Stinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF halfway through 😔 If you’re interested in this book, read “The Read-Aloud Family” instead.

A lot of the parts when on and on, drilling her message home. There was only about 100 pages of actual content and the rest was a really overwhelming list of book recommendations. If I were to edit out all of the fluff in those 100 pages, this would have been a great blog post.

There’s also her subtle anti-homosexual bit in there where she was concerned about books “normalizing homosexuality” and also normalizing things like divorce and alcoholic parents. Books that includes those things are significant for children that can identify with them. I’m concerned that the book recommendations in the back may lack diversity because of her personal views and not because of the quality of the writing in books.

Overall, it was a dry, boring read and I’d recommend The Read-Aloud Family as an alternative. The author’s book recommendations are much more condensed and easier to incorporate into our library trips.

[Poiema · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lifeline to me when I was a new Mama. I knew that I wanted to read the "best" books to my children, but had no idea where to start. I had my children late in life, and I could recall only a few classics from my own childhood. Gladys Hunt writes a compelling case for keeping a literature rich environment, and then gives wonderful book lists categorized by age. I have given this book away as a baby shower gift many times. It is invaluable for starting new moms on the path to reading with their children.

[Jessica Dudenhofer Beery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference on WHY it's important to introduce good books to your children/family with an extensive checklist in the back with author-selected "good books." I'll be pulling this one out frequently.

[Stevanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure trove of book lists

I loved this book. There is so much good info and encouragement. The booklists at the end are wonderful. I love how they are broken up by age and also thematic. The best part is the mini-reviews that are included.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet book about how important and GOOD it is to read aloud to your children. She also puts her favorites in the last portion of the book. Enjoyable.

[Melani Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a crew of big readers, and we do lots of reading aloud. We will enjoy the selections, though minority authors are less represented than I would have liked.

[Petie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the recommendations but the amount of titles she got wrong or authors’ names she misspelled was pretty tragic. Maybe should have read a newer version?