Do you remember your first trip to the library? When I was a child, libraries were hushed places. This lent an air of hallowedness to the whole visit. Woe be to the child who became the object of a stern librarian’s admonition for silence. A dropped book was a thunderclap to be avoided at all… Read More Can a Library Last Forever?
Emily and I are currently attending the South East Homeschool Convention in Greenville, doing a little book shopping, of course, and helping friends to sell the precious books we love. I make this qualification because we do have a special passion for them. When we attend these events, we meet all kinds of homeschool families with every variety of… Read More Are You a Listless Homeschooler?
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?