The annotated materials contained in this list of children's books for 1980 have been selected for literary merit, usefulness, and enjoyment, and are intended to reflect a year's publishing in a balance between books to be enjoyed for free reading, those for reading aloud, and those recognized as valuable for individualized reading programs or as background and supplements to the school curriculum. The 159 titles for preschool through junior high school age chidren are divided into the following areas: (1) picture and picture story books; (2) first reading; (3) stories for the middle group; (4) fiction for older readers; (5) poetry, rhymes, and songs; (6) folklore; (7) history, people, and places; (8) biography; (9) arts and hobbies; and (10) nature and science. Appropriate grade levels for each title are included in the annotation. (HTH)