What books to lend and what to give

"What Books to Lend and What to Give" by Charlotte M. Yonge is a guidebook on children's literature written in the late 19th century. The book aims to provide thoughtful recommendations for wholesome, educational, and engaging reading materials suitable for children and various age groups. It reflects Yonge's concerns regarding the moral and intellectual development of young readers through carefully curated selections. The opening portion introduces the necessity of providing quality literature in parish work and discusses the impact of reading on children's choices. Yonge emphasizes the importance of selecting suitable books for different age groups and interests, cautioning against literature that may lead them to undesirable content. She details the characteristics of books appropriate for varying levels of readers—from "little ones" to "senior classes"—and presents her structured recommendations based on personal experience, aimed at enriching children's literacy in wholesome ways.