Suggested Reading about Montessori

Introductory Reading List

Montessori Today. Lillard, Paula P. (1996). New York: Random House.
Describes Montessori theory and contemporary American Montessori schools serving ages ranging from birth to adulthood.
Order through NAMTA or from your local bookstore. ISBN 0-8052-1061-X, 207 pages, bibliography, index.

Montessori from the Start. Lillard, Paula P.; Jessen, Lynn L. (2003). New York: Schocken.
What parents can do to help their youngest children in the process of self-formation.
Order through NAMTA or from your local bookstore. ISBN 0805211128. 304 pages.

To Educate the Human Potential. Montessori, Maria. (1948). Madras, India: Kalakshetra Publications.
Describes the needs of the elementary-aged child in the process of acquiring culture.
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA.

The Absorbent Mind. Montessori, Maria. (1949).  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.
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA. U.S. edition can be ordered online through Amazon.com.

The Child in the Family. Montessori, Maria. (1956). Chicago: Henry Regnery.
A series of short essays about the child, the family, and the school, with a philosophical emphasis
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA.

From Childhood to Adolescence. Montessori, Maria. (1973). New York: Schocken. Discusses the development and education of the child from age seven through adolescence. Includes Dr. Montessori's thoughts on university education.
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA.

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

Advanced Reading List

Maria Montessori: A Biography. Kramer, Rita. (1976). New York: Putnam's.
Order online through Amazon.com

The Advanced Montessori Method (Vol. 1: Spontaneous Activity in Education;Vol. 2: The Montessori Elementary Material). Montessori, Maria. (1917). New York: Frederick A. Stokes & Co.
A collection of essays including both theory and practice at the elementary level.
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA.

The Secret of Childhood. Montessori, Maria. (1936). New York: Frederick A. Stokes and Co.
An introduction, both practical and theoretical, including observations and insights into the nature of young children.
Order current Orient Longman edition through NAMTA.

Education and Peace. Montessori, Maria. (1943). Chicago: Henry Regnery.
Essays including lectures from the 6th International Montessori Congress in Copenhagen in 1937.
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA.

Education for a New World. Montessori, Maria. (1946). Madras, India: Kalakshetra Publications.
A discussion of the role of education in a changing world
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA.

The Discovery of the Child. Montessori, Maria. (1948). 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).
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA. U.S. edition can be ordered online through Amazon.com.

The Formation of Man (first published in the U.S. under the title Childhood Education) Montessori, Maria. (1955). New York: New American Library.
Dr. Montessori's approach to world literacy
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA.

The Human Tendencies and Montessori Education. Montessori, Maria. (1966). Amsterdam: Association Montessori Internationale.
A classic essay on the imagination, the natural characteristics of the child, and the integration of human development and history

Education for Human Development: Understanding Montessori. Montessori Jr., Mario M. (1977). New York: Schocken Books.
The ideas of Montessori from a philosophical, psychological, and educational point of view. Foreword by Buckminster Fuller
Order Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company edition through NAMTA.

The titles above were compiled from the North American Montessori Teacher's Association (NAMTA)