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This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review. All opinions are my own.
Book Information
101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition)
Written by Bianca Schulze Illustrated by Samara Hardy Ages: 4-12+ | 144 Pages Publisher: Walter Foster Jr. (2025) | ISBN: 978-0760397763 Publisher’s Book Summary: Discover new books, document your favorites, learn fun facts about books and authors, and develop a lifelong reading habit. 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) is the ultimate reading guide for kids ages 4 to 12+, packed with 101 kid-friendly book recommendations and interactive features to inspire young readers. This revised edition includes diverse voices and graphic novels and reflects current educational trends, making it a modern and inclusive reading guide for young readers today. From classics like Where the Wild Things Are, Beezus and Ramona, and The Phantom Tollbooth to newer favorites such as Big, New Kid, and Brown Girl Dreaming, this inspiring guide covers every stage of a young reader’s journey. Designed as an engaging journal, this book allows you to document your reading journey by noting which books you’ve read, why you love them, and how you rate each one. Each book entry includes:
Author Interview
Where did you get the inspiration for 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up?
The inspiration came directly from my work at The Children's Book Review. After years of reading thousands of children's books and connecting with families about what to read next, I kept seeing the same need: parents and kids wanted curated recommendations they could trust. I also noticed that there wasn't a comprehensive, engaging guide specifically designed for young readers to navigate on their own. Along with the team at Quarto Kids, I wanted to create something that would not only recommend great books but also make the act of discovering new reads feel like an adventure in itself. What was your writing process like for this book? This book was both a labor of love and a massive undertaking! I drew from years of reviews and reading experiences, as well as some crowd-sourcing, to compile the initial list, but then came the real work—reading and re-reading each book to craft descriptions that would genuinely excite young readers without giving away too much. I spent countless hours researching fun facts about authors and books, as well as working on the"What to read next?" connections, ensuring that all the interactive elements would be genuinely engaging for kids. The revised edition involved even more work—updating the list to include more diverse voices and graphic novels, ensuring it reflected current educational trends and what kids are actually reading today. What is your favorite part about writing books for kids? I love that I get to be a bridge between amazing stories and young readers. There's something magical about knowing that a child might discover their next favorite book—or maybe even fall in love with reading itself—because of something I've written or books I've shared. With 101 Books, I especially love the interactive elements. The idea that kids can make this book their own, rating and writing about their experiences, documenting their reading journey—that transforms it from just another recommendation list into a personal reading memoir they're creating for themselves. What are you working on now? I'm always juggling multiple projects! Right now, I'm working on three different manuscripts, and I have notes and notes of ideas that I'm slowly developing into new stories. I'm also constantly updating and expanding The Children's Book Review, and I'm exploring some new picture book concepts that my kids often "help"me brainstorm—sometimes their imaginative ideas—or their hilariously impulsive moments—lead to the best creative breakthroughs! What is your favorite book on the list of 101 books? Oh, that's like asking me to pick my favorite child! Today, I'll go with Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. It's one of those timeless books that works on so many levels—kids love the adventure and the wild rumpus, while adults appreciate the deeper themes about emotions and imagination. It's also a book that sparked my own love of picture books as an adult. Plus, it represents everything I believe about children's literature: that books can be both entertaining and meaningful, simple and profound, all at the same time. Giveaway
You could win a signed copy of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) by Bianca Schulze! But wait, it gets even better—one incredibly lucky grand prize winner will score the most wonderful cozy reading bundle ever: a signed copy of the book, a perfect reading light, the snuggliest blanket, and a $25 gift card to Bookshop.org to get this literary adventure started!
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