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Rating: 
Summary: Apparently unfamiliar with current children's books
Review: Apparently William Bennett is unfamiliar with the myriad wonderful books for children written in the last thirty years. The only exception are "famous" people writing now like Barbara Bush. Why not draw on the terrific current literature? My guess is because Bennett would have to pay for that, whereas the older work is in the public domain. What a lost opportunity to speak to kids in terms they can better relate to and to introduce parents to some fine contemporary writers. Of course, this book is actually pitched to parents, not kids, so I doubt appealing to kids is actually his real aim.
Rating: 
Summary: the Satanic Bible
Review: First, let me say that the illustrations are very nice. Why such a talented illustrator would attach their talent to a talentless gambler writing a book on virtues must presuppose a virtue beyond any other; or maybe it's idiocy or money! The only thing more inexplicable than Bennett thinking he is qualified to write such a book is that parents have actually wasted money on it. As I read through these pages, I became horrified at the possibility of children attempting to learn anything from such a hypocrite (gambling addict). Bennett comes across as the megalomaniac he is: pompous, didactic and arrogant. It requires great effort to view this work as anything but a joke book! It is condescending, patronizing and "high almighty" in its approach and execution.
The persona he puts forth of being "squeaky clean" belies the atrocities he has personally committed. If there is any further proof of the reality of the Right's image of the great deceiver, Satan, then it is personified in an author and a work like this. He encapsulates deception better than anyone.
These pages are ultimately worthless unless you are trying to teach your children about a man without virtues being hypocritical. How ironic.
Rating: 
Summary: I AM BIASED ALSO
Review: I had purchased the book "The Educated Child" by Bennett for my
son and daughter-in-law shortly after my granddaughter was born.
They have been using it and I assume they like it. I work in a bookstore in the children's department and I had been eyeing this "Book of Virtues" for some time. Not only do I think that such a book is important but Hague also happens to be one of my favorite illustrators. So on breaks at work I would read it. It is not all that I had hoped it would be, but it is good.
However, Bennett's bias politically drives me nuts which has made
me biased against purchasing this book. Added to that, his
decision to not only preach against sin but to name the names of
the sinners (in another venue) makes him something less than an
effective moralist and something more like just another loud-mouthed commentator on tv. And then to put the nail in the coffin, there is the recent revelation of his own particular downfall (gambling). Talk about people who live in glass houses!! None of my own biases against this man has to do with the intrinsic value or lack thereof of the book. But, I have decided that I would find someone more personally worthy of informing me and my grandchild about virtues.
Rating: 
Summary: wonderful book of virtues, beautifully illustrated
Review: My daughter (6 yo) loves this book, and I do too. The stories are entertaining and engaging, and the illustrations are wonderful.
The book hearkens back to good old-fashioned values and morals, and is completely unashamed in doing so. Mr. Bennett writes in the foreword that the process of intentionally instructing the young in virtues was done without embarrassment in our recent past. I enjoyed the frankness of the approach in this book. Each selection is headed by a summary of the lesson contained in it.
This collection includes poems, fables from Aesop, adaptations of fairy tales, and other stories from cultures around the world in order to illustrate certain virtues, such as responsibility, kindness, honesty, and good manners. The selections are of a good length to sustain the interest of a young(4 - 8 yo) child. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to inculcate good values.
Rating:
Summary: Children's Book of Virtues
Review: This is an excellent book to read to your young ones (4+) The stories are old yet the principles are ageless. The children will curl up and live these tales. I find myself truely enjoying this special time. When they get to six or seven I would strongly recommend moving to the Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett. The stories will sweep you and the children away. MY childrens favorite time is reading these stories. They actually ask for the book and seldom does anything else draw such smiles and "Thank You Daddys". Enjoy the experience.
Rating:
Summary: Great Morals, Good Stories, Well Illustrated
Review: We're on our second read through of this book of children's morality tales. With poems, short homilies and stories, Bill Bennett entertains young children as life's good lessons are imparted. The accompanying illustrations are visually delightful. Some of the stories, because of word usage, appeal to a slightly older audience than my four and five year olds, but they can appreciate most of the vignettes. A good book that helps parents in childhood instruction.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated book!
Review: William Bennett has written the perfect compliment to his Book ofVirtues. The Children's Book of Virtues is an EXCELLENT compilationof classic stories and poems that parents can read to their children. This book is also excellent for beginning readers! I recommend this book for every family's bookshelf!
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