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Book List

Book List - (acquired from the North American Montessori Teacher's Association)

Introductory Montessori Reading

Here are some introductory books on Maria Montessori and Montessori education.
  • Lillard, Paula P. (1996). Montessori Today. New York: Random House. Order through NAMTA or from your local bookstore. ISBN 0-8052-1061-X, 207 pages, bibliography, index.

    • Describes Montessori theory and contemporary American Montessori schools serving ages ranging from birth to adulthood.

  • Lillard, Paula P.; Jessen, Lynn L. (2003). Montessori from the Start. New York: Schocken. Order through NAMTA or from your local bookstore. ISBN 0805211128. 304 pages.

    • What parents can do to help their youngest children in the process of self-formation.

  • Montessori, Maria. (1948). To Educate the Human Potential. Madras, India: Kalakshetra Publications. Order Clio edition through NAMTA.

    • Describes the needs of the elementary-aged child in the process of acquiring culture.

  • Montessori, Maria. (1949). The Absorbent Mind. Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House. Order Clio edition through NAMTA. U.S. edition can be ordered online through Amazon.com.

    • Discusses the development of infants and young children from birth to three years. Gives a clear explanation of the basis of Montessori theory and method.

  • Montessori, Maria. (1956). The Child in the Family. Chicago: Henry Regnery. Order Clio edition through NAMTA.

    • A series of short essays about the child, the family, and the school, with a philosophical emphasis.

  • Montessori, Maria. (1973). From Childhood to Adolescence. New York: Schocken. Order Clio edition through NAMTA.

    • Discusses the development and education of the child from age seven through adolescence. Includes Dr. Montessori's thoughts
    on university education.

  • Standing, E. M. (1957). Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work. London: Hollis and Carter. Order through NAMTA.

    • Covers Maria Montessori's life, how she developed Montessori education, its theoretical basis, and the worldwide growth of the Montessori movement.

Advanced Montessori Reading

The following books give more in-depth information about Montessori education.

  • Kramer, Rita. (1976). Maria Montessori: A Biography. New York: Putnam's.
  • Montessori, Maria. (1917). The Advanced Montessori Method (Vol. 1: Spontaneous Activity in Education; Vol. 2: The Montessori Elementary
    Material). New York: Frederick A. Stokes & Co. Order Clio edition through NAMTA

    • A collection of essays including both theory and practice at the elementary level.

  • Montessori, Maria. (1936). The Secret of Childhood. New York: Frederick A. Stokes and Co. Order through NAMTA

    • An introduction, both practical and theoretical, including observations and insights into the nature of young children.

  • Montessori, Maria. (1943). Education and Peace. Chicago: Henry Regnery. Order Clio edition through NAMTA

    • Essays including lectures from the 6th International Montessori Congress in Copenhagen in 1937.

  • Montessori, Maria. (1946). Education for a New World. Madras, India: Kalakshetra Publications. Order Clio edition through NAMTA.

    • A discussion of the role of education in a changing world.

  • Montessori, Maria. (1948). The Discovery of the Child. Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House. Order Clio edition through
    NAMTA. U.S. edition can be ordered online through Amazon.com

    • Early writings of Dr. Montessori highlighting the materials and the work of the child in the primary class (ages 3-6).

  • Montessori, Maria. (1955). The Formation of Man. (first published in the U.S. under the title Childhood Education, New York: New
    American Library.) Order Clio edition through NAMTA.

    • Dr. Montessori's approach to world literacy.

  • Montessori, Mario. (1966). The Human Tendencies and Montessori Education. Amsterdam: Association Montessori Internationale.

    • A classic essay on the imagination, the natural characteristics of the child, and the integration of human development and history.

  • Montessori Jr., Mario M. (1977). Education for Human Development: Understanding Montessori. New York: Schocken Books. Order Clio
    edition through NAMTA.

    • The ideas of Montessori from a philosophical, psychological, and educational point of view. Foreword by Buckminster Fuller.