Archive for the ‘Book Reviews’ Category
A Child’s Geography
Searching for geography curriculum has been a fruitless pursuit for me, so I dabbled in creating my own. We discussed earth being our home, looked at maps, and located places on the globe from our history and literature studies. That was enough, but I wanted to go more in depth.
When I was introduced to A Child’s Geography, Explore His Earth by Ann Voskamp, I thought, “Maybe this is it!”
To read the rest of this review, please visit Curriculum Choice.
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The Mighty Works of God: Self Government
History textbooks have a tendency to be boring, but I discovered a series of about American history to treasure. These books do not contain dry lists of dates or a simple retelling of events. Instead, they focus on the causes behind events: people and Providence.
The Mighty Works of God consists of three volumes for the early elementary years. They are not listed by grade-level, but gradually increase in difficulty. This review will focus on the 1st level, which is roughly 1st or 2nd grade.
The first lesson from The Mighty Works of God: Self Government introduces history as the story of God working in the lives of men and nations. For his title page, my son wrote,
You are the God who works wonders…Psalms 77:14
He was so inspired considering the works of God in his own life that he composed a song:
God, You are so good to me. God you set me free…
That moment I knew it was a good curriculum choice…
To continue reading my review and view samples from the text, please click over to Curriculum Choice.
Bawling During Homeschool
There were just a few more pages to turn when it happened. My voice froze and I felt the tears pushing. My son grinned knowingly, “Mom’s going to cry.”
For the rest of this article, please join me at The Curriculum Choice.
Reason #127 to Homeschool…
There are so many wonderful children’s books!
Growing up I read book after book. (Yes, I’ve always been a nerd, just ask my brother.) However, very few of the volumes I read are remembered or revisited.
At the library I checked out whatever looked interesting: Nancy Drew mysteries, Grace Livingston Hill romance novels, or historical fiction. My random searches hid some amazing authors. Now I get to discover these imaginative writers with my children.
After lunch I read aloud Brighty of the Grand Canyon.
“One more chapter please!” begs my three-year-old. Her five-year-old sister crowds close and grins widening bright blue eyes. Eleven-year-old, Bug, peeks in almost every chapter. As the verbs bounce off my tongue, the suspense of the story pulls him away from Lego.
Our collection of Marguerite Henry’s horse books was rescued from the trash. Library books thrown out to make room for new stories. Brighty of the Grand Canyon taken home only once in eight years. Was this spirited burro on the shelf at my school library? If he was, I didn’t take him home either.
Marguerite Henry was not introduced to me in my youth. But I know her now.
Her stories are revisited often in this home. Benjamin West and his Cat Grimalkin roam the house resting next to Father’s side of the bed, then Mother’s. Justin Morgan Had a Horse cracks my voice and spills tears over my eyelids. Children gasp, “Why are you crying?”
For many reasons, I’m sure. Because life is full. Because ideas are powerful. Because children crowd around me to enjoy the lacing of words. Stories crafted to communicate ideas of liberty, hope, and faith. Morsels I want to savor together as we read book after book…
Tags: children's books, Homeschool
Curing Bibliomania with a Giveaway
A vehicle stopped in front of our house. Before feet trudged onto the porch, I glanced out. My eyes strained to focus in the dark. The package appeared before the man dressed in brown.
“Thank you very much!” and I set the box on the desk. The package begged to be opened, but little eyes peered. After those eyes closed for the night, I delved in.
Would you believe the box contained books!
My husband wonders if I have bibliomania:
Bibliomania is an obsessive-compulsive disorder involving the collecting or hoarding of books…The purchase of multiple copies of the same book and edition and the accumulation of books beyond possible capacity of use or enjoyment are frequent symptoms of bibliomania.
I protest his diagnosis,
I don’t have more than one copy of a book.
Error exposed. Five copies of one book came out of the box. Scripture wrapped with art drew me to O Holy Night.
What I did not anticipate are the stunning photographs of the land Jesus traveled. Poetry, hymns, and descriptive texts enhance the biblical story of Jesus from hope promised to promise fulfilled.
But I still can’t justify buying five. One extra copy for a gift, but five!
Christianbook knows how to market to my kind. The books were only $2.95 if I purchased so many.
And still I’m not truly repentant. I wish I had a copy for each of you to enjoy. Since I don’t, I’ll have another giveaway. Simply leave a comment on this post to be entered to win a hardcover copy of the beautiful coffee table book, O Holy Night.
Please let me know if you have more than one copy of a particular book, or what book you would be tempted to buy if it was on sale.
Drawing ends Friday, December 5th at 11:00p.m. CST. Shipping is to U.S. addressed only. Best wishes!
P.S. Is collecting CDs a symptom of bibliomania? I have two copies of Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre, A Christmas Carol. I’ll include one of them as well.
There. Now am I cured?
