This anthology contains carefully-selected children's literature that has come down through many years. It begins with early translations of folk/fairy tales that we all know, but in their more authentic (not Disneyed) form. Yes, Disney sugar-coated the classics, but if movies like Shrek don't trouble your children, they'll be fine with most of these tales. The more recent selections come from early twentieth century authors such as Beatrix Potter and H.M. Barrie.
Several of my own personal favorites are there, and most of the works these editors selected are present in their entirety; my one disappointment is that this edition does not contain both books of "Little Women" but only the first -- which ends when Meg becomes engaged to John Brooke. Post 1960's readers are accustomed to having both parts together. This is my only reason for giving this anthology a high four rather than a full five. Granted, adding the second part of "Little Women" would add several hundred pages to this anthology, but I think it would be worth it. And, after all, the editors selected many other longer works in their entirety, such as "Treasure Island," "Peter Pan," and "Wind in the Willows."
I would recommend this anthology as something parents and grandparents could read to (or with)children as well as for students of children's literature (prospective teachers and librarians). Don't let the fact that it contains only half of one of my childhood favorites stop you from choosing this collection; that half just might leave readers wanting the whole thing.