There are two words I do not allow my children to say–well actually, there are a lot of words I don’t allow them to say, but the two words “I can’t” are not permitted. Those two words usually pop out when they are facing a difficult task, or try to tackle something and fail. When they say, “I… Read More Where There’s a Will There’s a Way, or, Reasons Kids Don’t Read
My grandson and my son are both learning to read. Henry is 19-months-old and loves Angus and the Cat, The Story of Ferdinand, and Katy and the Big Snow best right now. He’s a very busy boy, but always ready to discontinue any activity if someone is willing to read to him. When they’re not, he will read to himself.… Read More Learning to Read
A friend recently wondered why it is, at this crisis time of her life, she is so drawn to children’s literature. Another friend has lost a child in recent months and also is being comforted through reading children’s literature. I can only speculate. Is it that in children’s literature we often find profound joys and sorrows most clearly revealed?… Read More Unless You Become as a Little Child
Janet wrote: I am in need of some ideas for science books for my two boys 12 and 9 .. last year we did Archimedes and the Door to Science and it was so wonderful that I am in search of something similar in the following aspect: The Archimedes book included hands-on / experiments that… Read More Top Picks: More Science
Living Books Library is pleased to announce that Emily’s latest Picture Study Portfolio is available! Sandro Botticelli (1446-1510), Italian Renaissance Painter I’m very excited to be able to include Botticelli, especially since Charlotte Mason recommended his work, particularly Calumny, so highly. This painting is included in the packet, and you can read Miss Mason’s interpretation of it… Read More Botticelli Picture Study Portfolio
Have you ever been so captivated by a book you couldn’t stop thinking about it? Have you ever wanted to meet that author, have a conversation with him, ask all the questions the book has provoked in your mind? Has the reading of that book ever led you to read other books you would otherwise not have done? The… Read More From Books to Books
Some view our family’s possession of an extensive collection of books to be, well if they are politely honest, just a bit “over the top,”or, even slightly eccentric. I thought it would be amusing to you, and comforting to me, to let you read what some more notable people than me (by far) have said about their attachment… Read More In Good Company
Shelly wrote us asking for some recommendations of good Ocean Life books to read aloud to her science-loving 6-, almost 7-year-old. Here are some of our favorites: The Burgess Seashore Book For Children by Thornton Burgess One of the first field guides for children, Burgess’ inimitable ability to combine story with scientific fact is prominently… Read More Top Picks: Ocean Life
Friday Emily and I got in the car at 5:00 a.m. and headed to Hendersonville, North Carolina in order to arrive two hours early for a big library book sale. We’ve been showing up for this sale annually since 2004, the year our friends, who are also book lovers, first introduced us to this special event. It is a… Read More If Your Son Asks For Bread
In the course of life, it is inevitable that we will go through difficult times, transitional periods that are trying, tough patches. In encouraging one of my married children who is going through one of these testing times currently, I can sympathize because we have had our share of rough seasons in life. Now, fifteen years down the road,… Read More Revelations