Page:The small library. A guide to the collection and care of books (IA smalllibraryguid00browiala).pdf/26

 rather than to the poor parent or still poorer child. Why children's books should be so expensive, and in proportion to their utility, such a costly class of literature, is one of those puzzles which only publishers can answer. There is comfort in the thought, however, that the majority of the gorgeous and expensively-produced children's books, are not very influential, though they may be cherished on account of their sumptuous bindings. In forming a Children's Home Library it is well to avoid the recommendations of all the specialists who have written guides to selection, or compiled lists of the best twenty, fifty, or hundred books for young readers. Some of these lists are of enormous size, embracing all classes of literature, and including much that is unsuitable for the purpose of the juvenile section of a small Household Library. Ignoring, then, all expert help of this kind, the question has to be considered—what should be provided for the children's library of an ordinary household ? There are certain classes of literature which may be excluded forthwith, not only because they are unattractive and unsuitable, but because they can generally be obtained from any Public Library. This at once disposes of classes like Theology, Mathematical Science, Sociology, Philology, and to a certain extent History and Geography. Biography is also of doubtful value or interest. The 'self-help' and 'pursuit of knowledge under difficulties' kind of literature, which urges us to profit by the example of great natural geniuses who have