Wild Things and Castles in the Sky: A Guide to Choosing the Best Books for Children gives the reader over 40 essays that examine specific types of children’s books and offer suggestions in each category. Among the topics covered are: imagination, faith, classic literature, middle school books, race, fantasy, contemporary children’s books, Shakespeare, art history, Newberry books, young adult novels, poetry, and more. Curated and edited by Leslie and Carey Bustard with Théa Rosenburg (a mother-daughter team and a children’s books blogger), Wild Things and Castles in the Sky will encourage and envision parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends—to know the power of a good story and to share it with a child they love.
In Philippians 4, the Apostle Paul calls us to think on things that are "commendable" or "of good report." Wild Things and Castles in the Sky is just such a book. Filled with essays to help you find other commendable books, it also manages to be commendable in itself, replete with wonder, beauty, and inspiration. But I suppose the greatest commendation I can offer is to simply tell you that my book budget grew ten fold with the reading of it.
—Hannah Anderson, author of All That's Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment
I find that many books about imagination turn out to actually be books about books. Yet, while in the guise of being a book about books, Wild Things and Castles in the Sky is actually a book about imagination. This is an inspiring and immensely practical gift from forty wise and well-read people to those who want to bring up children marked by meaning.
—Brian Lawrence Brown, executive director of the Anselm Society
We are lead by the hand by this thoughtful guide into the deeper layers of community life by way of story, a help for how to choose books for children. What we read at a young age shapes us, and it matters. Beautifully done, this collection is sure to be a well-worn reference.
—Sandra McCracken, singer-songwriter
