The Childrens Classics Popular Books

The Childrens Classics Biography & Facts

Classics or classical studies is the study of classical antiquity. In the Western world, classics traditionally refers to the study of Classical Greek and Roman literature and their related original languages, Ancient Greek and Latin. Classics also includes Greco-Roman philosophy, history, archaeology, anthropology, art, mythology and society as secondary subjects. In Western civilization, the study of the Greek and Roman classics was traditionally considered to be the foundation of the humanities and has traditionally been the cornerstone of a typical elite European education. Etymology The word classics is derived from the Latin adjective classicus, meaning "belonging to the highest class of citizens." The word was originally used to describe the members of the Patricians, the highest class in ancient Rome. By the 2nd century AD the word was used in literary criticism to describe writers of the highest quality. For example, Aulus Gellius, in his Attic Nights, contrasts "classicus" and "proletarius" writers. By the 6th century AD, the word had acquired a second meaning, referring to pupils at a school. Thus, the two modern meanings of the word, referring both to literature considered to be of the highest quality and the standard texts used as part of a curriculum, were both derived from Roman use. History Middle Ages In the Middle Ages, classics and education were tightly intertwined; according to Jan Ziolkowski, there is no era in history in which the link was tighter. Medieval education taught students to imitate earlier classical models, and Latin continued to be the language of scholarship and culture, despite the increasing difference between literary Latin and the vernacular languages of Europe during the period.While Latin was hugely influential, according to thirteenth-century English philosopher Roger Bacon, "there are not four men in Latin Christendom who are acquainted with the Greek, Hebrew, and Arabic grammars." Greek was rarely studied in the West, and Greek literature was known almost solely in Latin translation. The works of even major Greek authors such as Hesiod, whose names continued to be known by educated Europeans, along with most of Plato, were unavailable in Christian Europe. Some were rediscovered through Arabic translations; a School of Translators was set up in the border city of Toledo, Spain, to translate from Arabic into Latin. Along with the unavailability of Greek authors, there were other differences between the classical canon known today and the works valued in the Middle Ages. Catullus, for instance, was almost entirely unknown in the medieval period. The popularity of different authors also waxed and waned throughout the period: Lucretius, popular during the Carolingian period, was barely read in the twelfth century, while for Quintilian the reverse is true. Renaissance The Renaissance led to the increasing study of both ancient literature and ancient history, as well as a revival of classical styles of Latin. From the 14th century, first in Italy and then increasingly across Europe, Renaissance Humanism, an intellectual movement that "advocated the study and imitation of classical antiquity", developed. Humanism saw a reform in education in Europe, introducing a wider range of Latin authors as well as bringing back the study of Greek language and literature to Western Europe. This reintroduction was initiated by Petrarch (1304–1374) and Boccaccio (1313–1375) who commissioned a Calabrian scholar to translate the Homeric poems. This humanist educational reform spread from Italy, in Catholic countries as it was adopted by the Jesuits, and in countries that became Protestant such as England, Germany, and the Low Countries, in order to ensure that future clerics were able to study the New Testament in the original language. Neoclassicism The late 17th and 18th centuries are the period in Western European literary history which is most associated with the classical tradition, as writers consciously adapted classical models. Classical models were so highly prized that the plays of William Shakespeare were rewritten along neoclassical lines, and these "improved" versions were performed throughout the 18th century. In the United States, the nation's Founders were strongly influenced by the classics, and they looked in particular to the Roman Republic for their form of government.From the beginning of the 18th century, the study of Greek became increasingly important relative to that of Latin. In this period Johann Winckelmann's claims for the superiority of the Greek visual arts influenced a shift in aesthetic judgements, while in the literary sphere, G.E. Lessing "returned Homer to the centre of artistic achievement". In the United Kingdom, the study of Greek in schools began in the late 18th century. The poet Walter Savage Landor claimed to have been one of the first English schoolboys to write in Greek during his time at Rugby School. In the United States, philhellenism began to emerge in the 1830s, with a turn "from a love of Rome and a focus on classical grammar to a new focus on Greece and the totality of its society, art, and culture.". 19th century The 19th century saw the influence of the classical world, and the value of a classical education, decline, especially in the United States, where the subject was often criticised for its elitism. By the 19th century, little new literature was still being written in Latin – a practice which had continued as late as the 18th century – and a command of Latin declined in importance. Correspondingly, classical education from the 19th century onwards began to increasingly de-emphasise the importance of the ability to write and speak Latin. In the United Kingdom this process took longer than elsewhere. Composition continued to be the dominant classical skill in England until the 1870s, when new areas within the discipline began to increase in popularity. In the same decade came the first challenges to the requirement of Greek at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, though it would not be finally abolished for another 50 years.Though the influence of classics as the dominant mode of education in Europe and North America was in decline in the 19th century, the discipline was rapidly evolving in the same period. Classical scholarship was becoming more systematic and scientific, especially with the "new philology" created at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century. Its scope was also broadening: it was during the 19th century that ancient history and classical archaeology began to be seen as part of classics, rather than separate disciplines. 20th century to present During the 20th century, the study of classics became less common. In England, for instance, Oxford and Cambridge universities stopped requiring students to have qualifications in Greek in 1920, and in Latin at the end of the 1950s. When the National Curriculum was introduced in England, Wales, and Northern Ir.... Discover the The Childrens Classics popular books. Find the top 100 most popular The Childrens Classics books.

Best Seller The Childrens Classics Books of 2024

  • The Story of The Three Little Pigs - Read Aloud Edition synopsis, comments

    The Story of The Three Little Pigs - Read Aloud Edition

    L. Leslie Brooke

    The Brothers Grimm's classic fairly tale sees new life in this enhanced eBook version, that renders the original illustrations & text by Leslie Brooke in a tastefully redesign...

  • The Tale of Peter Rabbit - Read Aloud Edition synopsis, comments

    The Tale of Peter Rabbit - Read Aloud Edition

    Beatrix Potter

    Beatrix Potter's classic picture book sees new life in this enhanced eBook version, that renders the original illustrations & text in the fixed layout format preserving the ori...

  • To Kill a Mockingbird synopsis, comments

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    Harper Lee

    Voted America's BestLoved Novel in PBS's The Great American ReadHarper Lee's Pulitzer Prizewinning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep Southand the heroism of one man in ...

  • The Story of Miss Moppet - Interactive Read Aloud Edition With Highlighting synopsis, comments

    The Story of Miss Moppet - Interactive Read Aloud Edition With Highlighting

    Beatrix Potter

    Beatrix Potter's classic picture book sees new life in this enhanced eBook version, that renders the original illustrations & text in a tastefully redesigned digital version...

  • The Phantom Tollbooth synopsis, comments

    The Phantom Tollbooth

    Norton Juster & Jules Feiffer

    “Comes up bright and new every time I read it . . . it will continue to charm and delight for a very long time yet.” Phillip Pullman, New York Times bestselling author of His Dark ...

  • The Giving Tree synopsis, comments

    The Giving Tree

    Shel Silverstein

    As The Giving Tree turns fifty, this timeless classic is available for the first time ever in ebook format. This digital edition allows young readers and lifelong fans to continue ...

  • Wildwood synopsis, comments

    Wildwood

    Colin Meloy

    For fans of the Chronicles of Narnia comes the first book in the Wildwood Chronicles, the New York Times bestselling fantasy adventure series by Colin Meloy, lead singer ...

  • Bridge to Terabithia synopsis, comments

    Bridge to Terabithia

    Katherine Paterson

    The 40th anniversary edition of the classic Newbery Medalwinning title by beloved author Katherine Paterson, with brandnew bonus materials including an author's note by Katherine h...

  • The Cay synopsis, comments

    The Cay

    Theodore Taylor

    For fans of Hatchet and Island of the Blue Dolphins comes Theodore Taylor’s classic bestseller and Lewis Carroll Shelf Award winner, The Cay.   Phillip is excited when th...

  • 20000 Leagues Under the Sea synopsis, comments

    20000 Leagues Under the Sea

    Jules Verne

    This ebook is a completely new way to learn English vocabulary Fast and Fun! Start reading the original book and playing with the word building games to master the selected vocabul...

  • Watership Down synopsis, comments

    Watership Down

    Richard Adams & Madeline Miller

    Now with a new introduction by Madeline Miller, the New York Times bestselling author of The Song of Achilles and Circe.The 50th anniversary edition of Richard Adam’s timeless clas...

  • Green Eggs and Ham synopsis, comments

    Green Eggs and Ham

    Dr. Seuss

    Join in the fun with SamIAm in this iconic classic by Dr. Seuss that will have readers of all ages craving Green Eggs and Ham! This is a beloved classic from the bestselling...

  • Black Beauty synopsis, comments

    Black Beauty

    Anna Sewell & Cecil Aldin

    Black Beauty is a spirited colt with a gentle disposition who spends his days in fresh meadows under the watchful eye of a devoted mother. But when it came time for him to leave hi...

  • The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies synopsis, comments

    The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies

    Beatrix Potter

    This book features the original text and fullcolor original Beatrix Potter art. Benjamin Bunny and his cousin Peter Rabbit and Flopsy are adult rabbits. Benjamin and Flopsy are mar...

  • A Tree Grows In Brooklyn synopsis, comments

    A Tree Grows In Brooklyn

    Betty Smith

    The American classic about a young girl's comingofage at the turn of the century.This P.S. edition features an extra 16 pages of insights into the book, including author interviews...

  • Old Yeller synopsis, comments

    Old Yeller

    Fred Gipson

    A timeless American classic and one of the most beloved children’s books ever written, Old Yeller is a Newbery Honor Book that explores the poignant and unforgettable bond between ...

  • Walk Two Moons synopsis, comments

    Walk Two Moons

    Sharon Creech

    In her own singularly beautiful style, Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech intricately weaves together two tales, one funny, one bittersweet, to create a heartwarming, compelling, a...

  • Beezus and Ramona synopsis, comments

    Beezus and Ramona

    Beverly Cleary

    Newbery Award winner Beverly Cleary delivers a humorous portrayal of the ups and downs of sisterhood. Both the younger and older siblings of the family will enjoy this book. Having...

  • Tuck Everlasting synopsis, comments

    Tuck Everlasting

    Natalie Babbitt

    Critically acclaimed when it was first published, Natalie Babbitt's Tuck Everlasting has become a muchloved, wellstudied modernday classic. Now a major motion film available on str...

  • The Mouse and the Motorcycle synopsis, comments

    The Mouse and the Motorcycle

    Beverly Cleary

    In this imaginative adventure from Newbery Medal–winning author Beverly Cleary, a young mouse named Ralph is thrown into a world of excitement when a boy and his shiny toy motorcyc...

  • The Tortoise and the Hare - Read Aloud synopsis, comments

    The Tortoise and the Hare - Read Aloud

    Kate Friend & Mateya Arkova

    This classic fable tells the story of what happens when we try to rush and don’t take things slow and steady. The tortoise and the hare decide to race. The hare is convinced that h...

  • Children of Dune synopsis, comments

    Children of Dune

    Frank Herbert

    Book Three in the Magnificent Dune Chroniclesthe Bestselling Science Fiction Adventure of All TimeThe Children of Dune are twin siblings Leto and Ghanima Atreides, whose father, th...

  • The Jungle Book synopsis, comments

    The Jungle Book

    Rudyard Kipling

    An Apple Books Classic edition.Although most of The Jungle Book is set in India where Rudyard Kipling spent much of his early life he actually wrote this beloved story collection...

  • A Wrinkle in Time synopsis, comments

    A Wrinkle in Time

    Madeleine L'Engle

    It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival o...

  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz synopsis, comments

    The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

    L. Frank Baum

    An Apple Books Classic edition. You’ve seen the iconic 1939 movie, but do you know about the talking field mice, the Winkies, and the Witch of the North that appear in the original...

  • Lord of the Flies synopsis, comments

    Lord of the Flies

    William Golding, Lois Lowry & Jennifer Buehler

    Golding’s iconic 1954 novel, now with a new foreword by Lois Lowry, remains one of the greatest books ever written for young adults and an unforgettable classic for readers of any ...

  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe synopsis, comments

    The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

    C. S. Lewis

    The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, a series that has become part of the canon of classic literature, drawing readers...

  • The Tale of Peter Rabbit synopsis, comments

    The Tale of Peter Rabbit

    Beatrix Potter

    Story Summary Peter Rabbit sneaks away from his sisters and mother to go to Mr McGregor’s garden.  He enjoys eating all sorts of vegetables until Mr McGregor finds the little...

  • The Outsiders synopsis, comments

    The Outsiders

    S. E. Hinton

    Over 50 years of an iconic classic! This international bestseller and inspiration for a beloved movie is a heroic story of friendship and belonging. No one ever said life was ...

  • Where the Red Fern Grows synopsis, comments

    Where the Red Fern Grows

    Wilson Rawls

    A beloved classic that captures the powerful bond between man and man’s best friend. Billy has long dreamt of owning not one, but two, dogs. So when he’s finally able to save ...

  • The One and Only Ivan synopsis, comments

    The One and Only Ivan

    Katherine Applegate

    The #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Awardwinning novel The One and Only Ivan is now a major motion picture streaming on Disney+This unforgettable...

  • From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler synopsis, comments

    From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

    E.L. Konigsburg

    Now available in a deluxe keepsake edition!A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021)Run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with E. L. Konigsburg’s beloved classic and Newbery Meda...

  • The House on Mango Street synopsis, comments

    The House on Mango Street

    Sandra Cisneros

    NATIONAL BESTSELLER A comingofage classic, acclaimed by critics, beloved by readers of all ages, taught in schools and universities alike, and translated around the worldfrom the ...

  • Peter Pan synopsis, comments

    Peter Pan

    J.M. Barrie

    An Apple Books Classic edition. Lose yourself in the pages of J.M. Barrie’s beloved story about Neverland, the Lost Boys, and Tinkerbell. The book begins with older sister Wendy re...

  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer synopsis, comments

    The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

    Mark Twain

    In the 1840s, a mischievous boy named Tom Sawyer lives with his Aunt Polly and his halfbrother, Sid, in the fictional Mississippi River town of St. Petersburg, Missouri. After play...

  • Princess and the Pea synopsis, comments

    Princess and the Pea

    Hans Christian Andersen & Christine Sawinski

    New features include updated reading reccommendations! Late one night a mysterious girl arrives at the home of a prince. She says she is a princess but is she telling the truth? Th...