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?

Review- The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling

Have you ever read an article with glossy photos of the perfect homeschool family?

Older children work on math while little ones build the Eiffel Tower with popsicle sticks. Mother posts the schedule on the refrigerator and everyone follows it. Father stages a play to reinforce the lessons of the day. The whole family always smiles at the camera.

Barbara Frank wrote The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling to combat discouragement that trails misconceptions of utopia.

The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling By Barbara Frank / Cardamom Publishers

The conversational tone of this veteran homeschool mother of four overflows with wisdom. She shares practical tips such as the Top Ten Tools for Homeschooling Parents and 115 Organizing Tips for Homeschoolers. (I am almost convinced to get a filing cabinet.)

In the extremely helpful chapter about overcoming obstacles, Barbara Frank tackles the issue of time management and personal habits.

She also discusses how personality traits can help or a hinder home education. See if you are a teacher, a perfectionist, a follower, etc., and then learn to temper your natural bent with the grace of God.

Other circumstances strain efforts to teach, and Barbara touches on them all: children with special needs, stresses with finances, and difficulties with relationships.

Chapters include:

• Confessions of an Imperfect Homeschooler
• Homeschooling 101
• Teaching Specific Subjects
• Teaching Techniques and Ideas
• Covering All the Bases
• Overcoming Obstacles to Homeschooling
• Coping with Changes and Challenges
• One the Home Front

It is easy to view a snapshot, but the noise behind the photo is muted. Barbara gives the reality of homeschooling a voice. She teaches her children. She believes you can, too.

Her stories reverberate in my soul and give strength even now.

Whether you are new to homeschooling or years into the journey, you will find inspiration in The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling.

So That’s Why! Bible with Libronix Library Review

I bought this Bible for my son, but I’ll wait to give it to him. I want to read it first!

Right now Christianbook.com is selling the So That’s Why! Bible  for $8.99. For the price, I didn’t think I could go wrong, and I didn’t. The Libronix Bible CD alone is worth the money.

This chronological NKJV Bible is full of notes and articles that give insight into the historical context of biblical events. It has timelines, maps, and the notes are about everything from agriculture to economics, geography to science.

One caveat about the timelines is the comparison of secular history to biblical history. I don’t like those labels, but I understand the context. The first timeline places creation somewhere before 2500 B.C., and the secular side begins with stone tools c. 26,000 B.C. It is interesting to compare the two, so I do not discredit this resource because of that issue.

Also, I recommend covering the Bible with contact paper. It is a large volume, and the cover doesn’t feel sturdy enough to withstand a lot of use.

The eBible CD is amazing. The Libronix Digital Library System enables numerous Bible resources to be searched at the same time. The library includes:

• Various Bible translations
• New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words
• Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
• Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts
• Where to Find It in the Bible A-Z

The charts and maps can be printed for notebooks. Topical studies can be completed easily. I look forward to discovering even more about my favorite book, the Bible!

To find out more details, or to purchase, click here.

What good books have you added to your library recently?

Acknowledging Her Gifts

Prowling the used book store, Bug grabbed a copy of Magic Treehouse something or other. That was fine, but we had read a few books from the series and my excitement was as thin as our decade old towels. It would be destined for the rag bag after a few hours.

I hunted through the other selections. Old Mother West Wind by Thornton Burgess looked like an enduring book; a classic. Bug wavered. He was familiar with Magic Treehouse, but agreed to try a new theme and author. When he began elucidating the habits of rock chucks, squirrels, and foxes, I knew it was a good decision.

Since then we added Big Book of Animal Stories to the shelf, and even though Bug hasn’t read it in awhile his sisters delight in the discovery now. Tonight we read Why Grandfather Frog Has No Tail:

…And from that day to this every Frog has started life with a big tail, and as he has grown bigger and bigger his tail has grown smaller and smaller, until finally it disappears, and then he remembers how foolish and useless it is to be vain of what nature has given us.

Of course, I discussed the moral of the story with my spirited, four-year-old Sunshine. She understood the foolishness of Frog’s pride. We acknowledged that our gifts come from God. Then I added,

God gave you big, beautiful eyes. What else did he give you?

She exclaimed,

A big mouth!

It is a whole new adventure reading big brother’s books to this audience. The frog’s mouth was made as wide a door. Sunshine’s isn’t that large, but her personality sure is.