The Important Book: A Classic Picture Book Teaching Kids (Ages 4-8) to Appreciate Simple, Everyday Details

I read this book to my children as part of an exercise on writing about something important. It was an end-of-year writing exercise and I wanted my children to write about something that was important to them this school year. My children enjoyed the book and we had a strong brainstorming session after the read-aloud and before the writing began.

The Important book is an excellent book to use to expose children to philosophical thought and concepts. Do things have an essential property? Children as young as Pre-K can began to conceptualize everyday items, and what the most important quality of that item is. The book illustrates a number of common items such as spoons and apples, and tells the reader what makes them most important. That very concept of the author distinguishing what's important opens the door to a world of questioning, where young readers with them help of an adult, can began to question what truly is the most important quality, if any, of an apple and many other items. In the end, this can allow children to become more critical consumers of information through philosophical reasoning.

My three year old granddaughter absolutely loves this book. As soon as I finish it, she tells me to read it again, starting with the little cricket on the page right inside the cover. I would buy this book as a gift for every three year old you know. I can only talk about three year olds, but I am sure others a little younger or older will love the book. My thirty something daughter has expressed how wonderful this book is as she hears me read it to her daughter, loving the message it gives and in the simplicity it is written. If I could give it ten stars, I would!

I absolutely recommend this book for K-3 grade! As a teacher of young children for over 30 years and as a student myself in the 1950’s I love it and all my students wanted it read to them over and over again. The author Margaret Wise Brown is unsurpassed as an Early Childhood writer!

Sweetly and simply written in a similar lulling tone as other Margaret Wise Brown books. Take it for what it is -- a children's book that offers children simple, concrete information that provides them with security and a basic understanding that regardless of how many things define us, there is at least one thing that makes us unique / who we are. And that's a good thing to know and count on. I don't think this book intends to speak to children as if they're brainless and I believe that a young, innocent mind "gets" the message. Any book that reinforces that the best, most important thing about being you is simply that you are you should be applauded and supported by all of us.

As a parent, I know "Goodnight Moon" by Margeret Wise Brown, from memory. I can recite it without looking at the pictures. As an Early Childhood Educator I see great value in "The Important Book" by Margeret Wise Brown. I recently attended a literacy workshop as part of my Early Childhood Professional Development, and this book came up in discusssion many times. I hadn't heard of it and couldn't wait to get a copy. I purchased it on Amazon, and I was not disappointed. This book evolves: The brightly colored pages captivate it's "readers." Non-readers will find many interesting details on the pages. Shared readings will allow a rhythmic simple text to allow shared discovery and comforting repeated reading much like "Goodnight Moon." As a child grows and matures, and emerges as a reader this book's extra texts will offer many opportunities for comfortable but challenging growth with a safe subject matter.

Wow! Excellent choice for stimulating classroom discussion and debate in lower elementary. I would never have chosen this book on my own. I read a teacher's review and decided to give it a try. We didn't even get through the book. Kids who seldom partipate jumped into the debate. I got to see who could speak clearly and logically, who would not take "sides" (the peacemakers), who was listening and using previous evidence given by fellow classmates, and who was brave enough to have a contrary opinion. They even carried their debate out to recess! I was also pleasantly surprised that once we discussed the difference between a debate and an argument, they really were able to debate and sway opinions.

Beautiful illustrations and a great read. Although it is intended for preschool, my 10 year old granddaughter and I had a lovely time reading it and saying the last sentence on each page aloud. Highly recommended.

Beautiful book. Can be used to find the important thing about anyone or anything!

I recently used "The Important Book" in a grade 3 classroom and the results were fantastic. After reading the book and having students figure out the writing pattern used by the author, I had students create their own Important Book based on any people/places/things of their choice. Kids that normally refuse to even write a sentence wrote 3 pages!! Even weeks after the activity, I still had students asking me if they could write another page to include in their book! It is great for developing students' descriptive and organizational writing skills in a structured yet free way. I love, love, love this book and cannot wait to use it again!

War mir völlig unbekannt. Mit rudimentären Englischkenntnissen versehen kann man das Buch kleinen Kindern übersetzen/vorlesen. Sollte eine Kindheit tüchtig bereichern.

Please never buy this crap.You will regret forever.

Es un libro precioso y el tamaño del libro es grande como a mi me gusta El mensaje de este cuento es precioso.