Spring is Here by Lois Lenski Beloved illustrator’s simple rhymes highlight the activities of spring. A perfect picture book for little hands–just slightly bigger than a Beatrix Potter book–thankfully reprinted recently, many libraries still have this, and used copies are available online (though Amazon has none that are affordable at the time of this post).… Read More Top Picks: Spring
I previously wrote about the important role fiction can play in our every day life. Anyone who has observed children playing knows they pretend. They play act, imitating what they have seen and heard. This is a healthy and normal part of childhood learning. I remember my youngest daughter’s surprised tone of voice when I asked her what she had… Read More The Necessity of Fiction
When families are new to our library we give a little tour. I say little because the library is small; I say tour, not because one could get lost in its labyrinthine sprawl as in one of those vast public library buildings, but because we want them to be able to locate the books they need. In the course… Read More The Therapeutic Effect of Fiction
Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter This is the story of a young man who does not fit in, but whose courage, determination, and heart endear him to those around him. Set in the Limberlost Swamp, this tale is full of the wonders of the natural world. For middle-high school readers. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson… Read More Top Picks: Nature-Themed
Spring is a whisper away, but I am already hearing the perennial rumblings of discontent. We are emerging from our winter semi-hibernation state. I’ve been hearing a lot of restless moms and children lately; moms are weary of lessons and children are swelling like the buds on the trees, their pent-up energy causing them to want to burst out. This can… Read More Spring Fever
Since we opened our library, I have learned innumerable astonishing things about children and their tastes in books. One of these surprises is that boys love poetry. My curiosity was aroused when I realized that so many young boys wanted to check out the book The Duchess Bakes a Cake. After all, it’s about a lady, 13 daughters, and… Read More The Way to a Boy’s Heart
Reading aloud to my children is one of the sweetest pleasures I know. I cannot even guess how many hours of my life have been spent reading to them. I do know the investment has had huge returns for them and for me. They have not all responded to being read to the same, however. I read to my… Read More Reminiscences about My Reluctant Reader
I’m beginning the day a little slowly as I was out late last night, late for me anyhow, with some dear friends. Every six weeks for the past three years, my daughter, Emily, and I have been meeting with some ladies who are interested in Charlotte Mason’s method of education. Our joint aspiration is to… Read More Have You Heard?
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes If your children on read one book about the events leading up to the American Revolution, it should be this. Apprenticed to a silversmith, the hero of this story learns the hard and valuable lesson of humility. After enduring an incredible set-back, Johnny finds his place in the world of… Read More Top Picks: For Boys
When I had been reading independently for a couple of years, I tackled David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. I was an ambitious young thing and eager to prove myself capable of plowing through those 12 (Braille) volumes. I was nine years old. It was slow going and I quit after the first chapter. I looked… Read More I Finally Finished Reading It