Montessori Kids

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car Reading List

Here are some introductory books on Maria Montessori and Montessori education. 

  • Lillard, Paula P. (1996). Montessori Today. New York: Random House. Describes Montessori theory and contemporary American Montessori schools serving ages ranging from birth to adulthood. 
  • Montessori, Maria. (1948). To Educate the Human Potential. Madras, India: Kalakshetra Publications. 
    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. 
    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. 
    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. 
    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. 
    Covers Maria Montessori's life, how she developed Montessori education, its theoretical basis, and the worldwide growth of the Montessori movement

This book list on Maria Montessori and Montessori education is more extensive than the Introductory Book List but is not meant to be exhaustive.  Most of these books can be borrowed from your local library or interlibrary loan service.

  • Kramer, Rita. (1976). Maria Montessori: A Biography. New York: Putnam's.
  • Lillard, Paula P. (1996). Montessori Today. New York: Random House. Describes Montessori theory and contemporary American Montessori schools serving ages ranging from birth to adulthood. 
  • 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. 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. 
    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. 
    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. 
    A discussion of the role of education in a changing world.
  • Montessori, Maria. (1948). The Discovery of the Child. Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House. 
    Early writings of Dr. Montessori highlighting the materials and the work of the child in the primary class (ages 3-6). 
  • Montessori, Maria. (1955). Childhood Education. New York: New American Library. (Also issued under the title The Formation of Man.) 
    Dr. Montessori's approach to world literacy. 
  • Montessori, Maria. (1973). From Childhood to Adolescence. New York: Schocken Books. 
    The development and education of the child from age seven through adolescence. Includes "The Erdkinder" and "The Function of the University." 
  • Montessori, Mario. (1966). The Human Tendencies and Montessori Education. Amsterdam: 
    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. 
    The ideas of Montessori from a philosophical, psychological, and educational point of view. Foreword by Buckminster Fuller. 
  • Standing, E.M. (1957). Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work. London: Hollis & Carter. 
    A biography including Dr. Montessori's life, her development of material, the child's work in the class, and the growth of the Montessori movement.