50+ Favorite Winter Books

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December 28, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 4 Comments

Winter is a great time to curl up together with fun books.

Maybe you have lots of snow…or it’s just too cold to play outside. Or maybe you live somewhere that doesn’t experience winter?

Reading together is something we do everyday, no matter the weather!

This winter book list includes delightful books about penguins, snowmen, animals in winter, magical wintry photography, science info about snowflakes, and more!

There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

It’s winter storytime, so gather around…

Our Favorite Winter Books:

Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester

Tacky’s perfect friends find him annoying until his odd behavior saves the day. There’s a whole series and we love them all!
The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll

When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren’t big enough.Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.
The Biggest Best Snowman by Margery Cuyler

Nell is told by her BIG sisters and her mother that she is too small to help out, but everyone, including Nell, feels differently after her forest friends give her the confidence to build a large snowman
Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright

B-R-R-R-R! AH-CHOO! Sneezy the Snowman is cold, cold, cold. To warm up, he drinks cocoa, sits in a hot tub, stands near a warm fire–and melts! But the children know just what to do to build him up again–and make him feel “just right”. Hilarity chills the air with playful mixed-media illustrations by Stephen Gilpin as Sneezy attempts to warm himself with some silly results.
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow lies a secret world of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals making their winter home under the snow. This beloved nonfiction picture book exploring the subnivean zone reveals the tunnels and caves formed beneath the snow but over the ground, where many kinds of animals live through the winter, safe and warm, awake and busy, but hidden beneath the snow.
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin, Jr.

What will you hear when you read this book to a preschool child?Lots of noise!Children will chant the rhythmic words. They’ll make the sounds the animals make. And they’ll pretend to be the zoo animals featured in the book– look at the last page!
Winter is for Snow by Robert Neubecker

In a rambunctious ode to everything winter, two siblings explore a snowy wonderland . . . and end up in the cozy warmth of family.
Outside by Deirdre Gill

In this gentle picture book fantasy, a child’s world transforms through his hard work, imagination, and persistence when he opens the door and steps outside, into to the brave new world of his imagination.
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

One by one, a whole host of different animals and birds find their way out of the cold and into Bear’s cave to warm up. But even after the tea has been brewed and the corn has been popped, Bear just snores on!
See what happens when he finally wakes up and finds his cave full of uninvited guests — all of them having a party without him!
Sadie and the Snowman by Allen Morgan

As spring gets closer and closer, Sadie realizes that the snowmen she makes won’t last much longer
Footprints in the Snow by Cynthia Benjamin

Pictures and simple text depict forest animals’ tracks in the snow as they rush to their homes during a winter storm.
Stranger in the Woods by Carl Sams

Forest animals, awakened by the birds’ warning that there is a stranger in the woods, set out to discover if there is danger and find, instead, a wonderful surprise. There’s a whole series and they’re all gorgeous!
Red Sled by Lita Judge

In this almost wordless picture book, a host of woodland creatures take a child’s sled for a nighttime joy ride. Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects.
The Twelve Days of Winter by Deborah Lee Rose

It’s wintertime! That means it’s the season for mittens, snow, and twelve days of surprises. In this high-energy, school-loving class, the teacher introduces a new winter activity every day. Three penguins—Antarctic fun! Four weather words—brrrr! And twelve treats for tasting—YUM!As the teacher’s gifts add up—teddy bears, paper snowflakes, sugarcubes—and the days get colder, the classroom is transformed into wintery chaos. Are all the winter surprises still inside? Count along with the class to find out.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

There are more animals to find among the trees, and the kindly figure with his “promises to keep” exudes warmth as he stops to appreciate the quiet delights of winter. The handsome new vellum jacket will attract new and old fans as it evokes a frost-covered windowpane.
The Tomten by Astrid Lundgren

On small silent feet, the Tomten tiptoes through the snow, keeping watch over the farm on chilly winter nights. One night, a cunning fox comes by. How will the Tomten guard the chickens, and help the hungry fox? These classic stories are a delight for young children, depicting the traditional Swedish character of the house elf, or tomten.
One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth

Percy the Park Keeper helps his animal friends in this popular story from highly-regarded, best-selling author-illustrator Nick Butterworth. Includes a fabulous fold-out poster!Percy the Park Keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives. But one cold winter’s night Percy discovers that his little friends need more than food and he must find a way to help them find a warm place to sleep for the night.Percy’s hut is nice and warm but Percy discovers that if you invite one animal in you’ll have to invite them all in and his hut is only small – it’s certainly going to be a squash! There’s
whole delightful series.
Now It Is Winter by Eileen Spinelli

A young mouse is encouraged by his mother to enjoy winter while waiting for spring to come.
Winter Story by Jill Barklem

It was the middle of winter and very, very cold. The mice of Brambly Hedge forecasted snow.And they were right. In the morning they awoke to find their doors and windows hidden behind deep drifts. There hadn’t been snow like this for years. “There’s enough for a Snow Ball!” cried the mice with glee, and set to work in the time-honoured way to make an Ice Hall for the festivities. The little mice watched wide-eyed as all the preparations were made.Then at last everything was ready, and the Ball could begin…
Seasonal books complete this lovely series!
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

A wordless story. The pictures have “the hazy softness of air in snow. A little boy rushes out into the wintry day to build a snowman, which comes alive in his dreams that night.
The Shortest Day by Wendy Pfeffer

The beginning of winter is marked by the solstice, the shortest day of the year. Long ago, people grew afraid when each day had fewer hours of sunshine than the day before. Over time, they realized that one day each year the sun started moving toward them again. In lyrical prose and cozy illustrations, this book explains what the winter solstice is and how it has been observed by various cultures throughout history. Many contemporary holiday traditions were borrowed from ancient solstice celebrations.
The Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson

Presents facts and folklore about the shortest day of the year, a day that has been filled with magic since ancient times.
Stella, Queen of the Snow by Marie-Louise Gay

Winter was never so magical as in this marvelous book about Stella and Sam discovering a familiar landscape transformed by a heavy snowfall. Sam makes his very first snowstorm, and, as usual, he has lots of questions: Where do snowmen sleep? Can you eat a snowflake? Do snow angels sing? Older and bolder, Stella knows all the answers, and she delights in showing Sam the many pleasures of a beautiful winter’s day
Snow Sounds: An Onomatopoeic Story by David A. Johnson

Sweep, crunch, swoosh, scrape . . . All night long, snow falls silently, bringing forth a world blanketed in white—and a very noisy day.
For at dawn’s light, machine, man, and child begin to dig out: first the big highway grader and snowplow, then the smaller town plow, a father’s snow blower, and a boy’s shovel . . . But will the streets get cleared in time?Spare poetry and elegant watercolor paintings cleverly bring to life this unique story of snow removal and the fun onomatopoeic sounds accompanying it.
Here Comes Jack Frost by Kazuno Kohara

One cold morning a lonely boy wishes for something to do. His animal friends are hibernating, and he has nobody to play with―even all the birds have flown south. When he meets Jack Frost, the last thing he expects is to make a new friend . . . or to discover how enchanting winter can be!
Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee

Just outside my window,
There are tracks in the snow.
Who made the tracks? Where do they go?A little girl follows tracks outside her window after a fresh snowfall, only to realize that the tracks in the snow are her own from the day before―and that they lead her home.
The Snow Angel by Debby Boone

Rose and her grandfather seem to be the only people left in their village who know how to dream and experience the beauty of the world, until a snow angel comes to life and creates a wondrous event.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird.But there is no answer.Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don’t need words. You don’t need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn’t an owl, but sometimes there is.
Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft

Have you ever seen a butterfly in the snow?Probably not. Butterflies can’t survive cold weather, so when winter comes, many butterflies fly to warmer places. They migrate. Woodchucks don’t like cold weather either but they don’t migrate; they hibernate. Woodchucks sleep in their dens all winter long. Read and find out how other animals cope with winter’s worst weather.
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever.
The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley’s enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist’s vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature.
Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton

Katy, a brave and untiring tractor, who pushes a bulldozer in the summer and a snowplow in the winter, makes it possible for the townspeople to do their jobs. Katy the snowplow finally gets her chance to shine when a blizzard blankets the city and everyone is relying on Katy to help dig out.
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Beuhner

Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you’ve wondered . . . what do snowmen do at night? This delightful wintertime tale reveals all!
Snowmen at Play by Caralyn Beuhner

The cool, lovable Snowmen are back in this brand-new sticker activity book, packed with fun things to make and do. Readers can help the Snowmen sit differences, make their way through mazes, create doodles, finish sticker puzzles, and much more. This bright, busy, book will spark imaginations and creativity and is perfect for holiday vacations.
Snow Party by Harriet Ziefert

If the first snow falls on the first day of winter, the snow men, snow women, and snow children come out for a special party. The festivities include food, dancing, singing, and some surprises! With breathtaking pastel illustrations and an understated,enchanting story, this is the perfect book for a snowy day . . . or to read while wishing for snow to fall.
Snowman in Paradise by Michael Roberts

We all know what happens the night before Christmas, but have you heard the story of the day after Christmas? In this imaginative book, author/artist Michael Roberts takes the traditional poem and turns it on its head…with hilarious results. Featuring a frozen snowman with a sunny disposition, a magical bluebird and a tropical vacation.
Snowballs by Lois Elhert

Pull on your mittens and head outside with Lois Ehlert for a snowball day! Grab some snow and start rolling. With a few found objects, like buttons and fabric and seeds, and a little imagination, you can create a whole family out of snow.
The Mitten by Jan Brett

When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing.One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax.As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki in the borders of each page, walking through the woods unaware of what is going on.In her distinctive style, Jan Brett brings the animals to life with warmth and humor, and her illustrations are full of visual delights and details faithful to the Ukrainian tradition from which the story comes.
The Snow Queen (We like the Mary Engelbreit version!)

Mary Engelbreight’s whimsical illustrations have made her one of America’s most recognized and beloved artists. And now with over 210,000 copies in print, her beautiful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen is the perfect marriage of an artist’s imagination with that of a storyteller.Combining Mary Engelbright’s clear bright colors and exuberant detail with the classic story about a feisty heroine who will stop at nothing, a conjuror’s twists and turns, and the triumph of love and innocence over wickedness and evil, The Snow Queen is pure enchantment, a lovely gift for children and adult Mary Engelbreight fans alike
The Big Snow by Berta Hader

The woodland animals were all getting ready for the winter. Geese flew south, rabbits and deer grew thick warm coats, and the raccoons and chipmunks lay down for a long winter nap. Come Christmastime, the wise owls were the first to see the rainbow around the moon. It was a sure sign that the big snow was on its way.
White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt

When the first flakes fell from the grey sky, the postman and the farmer and the policeman and his wife scurried about doing all the practical things grownups do when a snowstorm comes. But the children laughed and danced, and caught the lacy snowflakes on thier tongues.
All the wonder and delight a child feels in a snowfall is caught in the pages of this book — the frost ferns on the window sill, the snow man in the yard and the mystery and magic of a new white world.
The Story of Snow by Mark Cassino

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included.
Snow by Uri Shulevitz

“It’s snowing, said boy with dog.
“It’s only a snowflake,” said grandfather with beard.No one thinks one or two snowflakes will amount to anything. Not the man with the hat or the lady with the umbrella. Not even the television or the radio forecasters. But one boy and his dog have faith that the snow will amount to something spectacular, and when flakes start to swirl down on the city, they are also the only ones who know how to truly enjoy it.
Snow by Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant’s lyrical descriptions of the sights and feelings evoked by falling snow blend gorgeously with the rich and beautiful world created by Lauren Stringer’s illustrations, in which a young girl, her friend, and her grandmother enjoy the many things a snowy day has to offer.
Penguin Dreams by Vivian Walsh

Penguins don’t dream! And, they can’t fly either, but in this zany story from the bestselling author and artist team who created Olive, the Other Reindeer, anything goes!
Before the alarm sings ding-a-ling, one special penguin finds himself flying up, up, up and away. On his journey through space and sky, he meets some wacky winged characters, then lands head first in a penguin paradise. Was it real or was it all a dream?
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow by Shirley Neitzel

Rhyme follows rhyme as layer after layer of winter clothing (“bunchy and hot, wrinkled a lot, stiff in the knee, and too big for me!”) is first put on and then taken off to the relief of the child bundled inside.
Brave Irene by William Steig

Irene Bobbin, the dressmaker’s daughter. Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn’t feeling so well and can’t possibly deliver the beautiful ball gown she’s made for the duchess to wear that very evening. So plucky Irene volunteers to get the gown to the palace on time, in spite of the fierce snowstorm that’s brewing– quite an errand for a little girl.But where there’s a will, there’s a way, as Irene proves in the danger-fraught adventure that follows. She must defy the wiles of the wicked wind, her most formidable opponent, and overcome many obstacles before she completes her mission. Surely, this winning heroine will inspire every child to cheer her on.
Before Morning by Joyce Sidman

There are planes to fly and buses to catch, but a child uses the power of words, in the form of an invocation, to persuade fate to bring her family a snow day — a day slow and unhurried enough to spend at home together.In a spare text that reads as pure song and illustrations of astonishingly beautiful scratchboard art, Sidman and Krommes remind us that sometimes, if spoken from the heart, wishes really can come true.
Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre

With gorgeous photo illustrations, award-winning author April Pulley Sayre sheds sparkly new light on the wonders of snow. From the beauty of snow blanketing the forest and falling on animals’ fur and feathers to the fascinating winter water cycle, this nonfiction picture book celebrates snowfall and the amazing science behind it.
Millions of Snowflakes by Mary McKenna Siddals

“One little snowflake falls on my nose. It makes me shiver from my head to my toes.” A little girl plays outside on a cold winter day, counting each snowflake as it falls softly to the ground. Bundled in her warmest snowsuit, she savors the snow, tasting each flake as it falls on her tongue, and makes snow angels. Simple rhyming text captures the joy of a winter afternoon while teaching basic counting skills.
Counting on Snow by Maxwell Newhouse

The premise is simple. He invites children to count with him from ten crunching caribou down to one lonely moose, by finding other northern animals – from seals to wolves to snowy owls – as they turn the pages. But as the animals appear, so does the snow, until it’s a character too, obliterating light and dark, sky and earth.
Winter Dance by Marion Dane Bauer

Snow is coming, and it’s time to get ready! The squirrel gathers nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new white coat. But what should the fox do? Each animal advises the fox that its own plan is best, but the fox thinks otherwise—yet it’s not until he meets a golden-eyed friend that he finds the perfect way to celebrate the snowfall.

What’s your favorite winter book?

Linking up: Our Mini Family, Being a Wordsmith, Happy and Blessed Home, Our Holiday Journey, Fresh Start, Inspiration for Moms, Create with Joy, Holley Gerth, Godsized Dreams, Blessed But Stressed, The Mrs. Tee,

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Favorite Thanksgiving Books

This post may contain affiliate links. See disclosure. Check out my suggested resources.

November 2, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 2 Comments

Halloween candy still lingers in the orange bowl on the counter.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner!

We’ve never had a Thanksgiving with extended family. We’ve always lived too far away. We traveled over the long holiday weekend the past three years. One of our kids doesn’t even like turkey! We have to make our own traditions.

What is Thanksgiving really all about?

Gratitude is a great study for all of us, but it isn’t the Gospel, nor should it replace actual Bible study or discipleship. Practicing gratefulness isn’t a quick fix for depression or debt. It shouldn’t just be a trendy topic for November.

I like to think of this time as an easing into the Advent season, training our hearts and minds to focus on being grateful for our blessings rather than craving more stuff. I want us to look for ways to help others, to show Christ’s love, to be His hands and feet. Of course it’s a festive season with delicious food, perhaps visits with friends or family, holiday activities, or whatever traditions we try to create. We choose to focus on relationships over stuff.

This Thanksgiving book list teaches lessons on history and thankfulness to guide our hearts.

Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor
It’s almost Halloween and little Sylvie Ann has found the biggest, fattest pumpkin. But before she can carve it into a giant, crooked-toothed pumpkin moonshine (or jack-o’Iantern), she has to get it home.

In November by Cynthia Rylant

In November, the air grows cold and the earth and all of its creatures prepare for winter. Animals seek food and shelter. And people gather together to celebrate their blessings with family and friends.
Cynthia Rylant’s lyrical language and Jill Kastner’s rich, cozy paintings capture the cherished moments of this autumn month–the moments we spend together and the ones we witness in the world around us.

1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving by Catherine O’Neill Grace

Countering the prevailing, traditional story of the first Thanksgiving, with its black-hatted, silver-buckled Pilgrims; blanket-clad, be-feathered Indians; cranberry sauce; pumpkin pie; and turkey, this lushly illustrated photo-essay presents a more measured, balanced, and historically accurate version of the three-day harvest celebration in 1621.

Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac

In 1620 an English ship called the Mayflower landed on the shores inhabited by the Pokanoket, and it was Squanto who welcomed the newcomers and taught them how to survive. When a good harvest was gathered, the people feasted together–a tradition that continues almost four hundred years later.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp

Giving Thanks is a special children’s version of the Thanksgiving Address, a message of gratitude that originated with the Native people of upstate New York and Canada and that is still spoken at ceremonial gatherings held by the Iroquois, or Six Nations.

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh

Giles, Constance and Damaris Hopkins are all passengers aboard the crowded Mayflower, journeying to the New World to start a new life. Things get a little more cramped when their baby brother Oceanus is born during the passage. However, when they arrive, there are even worse challenges to face as the Pilgrims are subjected to hunger, cold, and sickness that put their small colony in great danger. With the help of the Native Americans though, they might just be able to survive their first year in this strange land—and have a November harvest to celebrate for generations!

The Pilgrims of Plimoth by Marcia Sewall

After an abundance of prayers and tears we made farewells at dockside and boarded our small ship. Our voyage across the Atlantic Ocean “began with a prosperous wind,” but the sea soon became “sharp and violent” and storms howled about us.

When the pilgrims set out for America, they brought with them a dream for the future. Sickness, hardship, and heartache stood in the way of that dream. But the pilgrims worked hard, keeping their dream close to their hearts, until they were finally able to make it come true.

The Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross

From the dangerous voyage across the Atlantic to the first harsh winter to the delicious Thanksgiving feast, all the excitement and wonder of the Pilgrims’ first year in America is captured in this vivid retelling that is perfect for the youngest historians.

The Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern

The Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving lasted three whole days. Ann McGovern’s simple text introduces children to the struggles of the Pilgrims during their first year at Plymouth Colony and the events leading to the historic occasion we celebrate today – THANKSGIVING.

Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness

When Bartholemew, Remember, and Mary Allerton and their parents first step down from the Mayflowerafter sixty days at sea, they never dream that life in the New World will be so hard. Many in their Plymouth colony won’t make it through the winter, and the colony’s first harvest is possible only with the help of two friends, Samoset and Squanto.

Richly detailed paintings show how the pilgrims lived after landing at Plymouth, through the dark winter and into the busy days of spring, summer, and fall. Culminating with the excitement of the original Thanksgiving feast, Three Young Pilgrims makes history come alive.

Thanksgiving Day at Our House: Thanksgiving Poems for the Very Young by Nancy White Carlstrom

A house full of relatives can mean only one thing — it must be Thanksgiving! Starting with a school pageant the day before Thanksgiving and ending with after-dinner snoozing, this book offers a peek at one family’s holiday celebration. Whether for rhyming or singing or simply saying grace, these warm, cozy poems show that there are lots of ways to give thanks — and so many things to be thankful for!

Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story by Pat Zietlow Miller

Celebrate food and family with this heartwarming Thanksgiving picture book. In this spirited ode to the holiday, set at the turn of the twentieth century, a large family works together to make their special meal. Mama prepares the turkey, Daddy tends the fire, Sister kneads, and Brother bastes. Everyone—from Grandma and Grandpa to the littlest baby—has a special job to do.

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson

Thanksgiving might have started with a jubilant feast on Plymouth’s shore. But by the 1800s America’s observance was waning. None of the presidents nor Congress sought to revive the holiday. And so one invincible “lady editor” name Sarah Hale took it upon herself to rewrite the recipe for Thanksgiving as we know it today. This is an inspirational, historical, all-out boisterous tale about perseverance and belief: In 1863 Hale’s thirty-five years of petitioning and orations got Abraham Lincoln thinking. He signed the Thanksgiving Proclamation that very year, declaring it a national holiday. This story is a tribute to Hale, her fellow campaigners, and to the amendable government that affords citizens the power to make the world a better place!

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Charles M. Schulz

When Peppermint Patty invites herself (and most of her friends) to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, Charlie Brown reluctantly agrees to make a holiday feast even though he can barely make toast and cold cereal! Can he pull together a memorable meal, or will he and his friends just be grateful when it’s over?

How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story by Eve Bunting

After the police come, a family is forced to flee their Caribbean island and set sail for America in a small fishing boat.

The Thanksgiving Door by Debby Atwell

When Ed and Ann’s turkey dinner burns, they think their Thanksgiving is ruined. But what appears to be a disaster becomes a blessing in disguise when Ed and Ann unknowingly intrude on an immigrant family’s own Thanksgiving celebration at their new restaurant, The New World Café. Once Grandmother silences her despairing family and invites the unexpected customers to join them, they all share an evening of friendship, good food, and lots of dancing—reminding everyone that Thanksgiving is about opening one’s heart in welcome to the strangers who become friends and the disappointments that bring unexpected joys.

Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and Tuyet is excited about the holiday and the vacation from school. There’s just one problem: her Vietnamese American family is having duck for Thanksgiving dinner – not turkey! Nobody has duck for Thanksgiving – what will her teacher and the other kids think? To her surprise, Tuyet enjoys her yummy thanksgiving dinner anyhow – and an even bigger surprise is waiting for her at school on Monday. Dinners from roast beef to lamb to enchiladas adorned the Thanksgiving tables of her classmates, but they all had something in common – family!

Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley

When Papa sends a turkey to be fattened up for Thanksgiving, Miguel takes a liking to the friendly bird. Soon, Miguel and Gracias are going everywhere together. But Gracias isn’t a pet-he’s supposed to be a meal! With a little help from Abuelito, Abuelita, and Tia Rosa ((implement accents)), will Miguel be able to keep Gracias off the Thanksgiving table?

Molly’s Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen

As Molly nears her first Thanksgiving in the New World, she doesn’t find much to be thankful for. Her classmates giggle at her Yiddish accent and make fun of her unfamiliarity with American ways.

Molly’s embarassed when her mother helps with a class Thanksgiving project by making a little doll that looks more like a Russian refugee than a New England Pilgrim. But the tiny modern-day pilgrim just might help Molly to find a place for herself in America.

Rivka’s First Thanksgiving by Elsa Okon Rael

More than anything, Rivka wants to celebrate Thanksgiving. She has learned all about the holiday in school and knows her family has a lot to be thankful for in America. But Rivka’s parents are Jewish immigrants from Poland, and they wonder what Pilgrims and Indians have to do with them. Is Thanksgiving really a holiday for Jews?

Rivka’s grandmother, Bubbeh, decides to take over: She will bring Rivka to see the Rabbi Yoshe Preminger — and whatever the Rabbi concludes, Rivka will have to live with. Rivka knows that Thanksgiving is a holiday for all Americans, from all backgrounds and religions. But how can she convince the esteemed Rabbi Preminger?

The Firefighter’s Thanksgiving by Maribeth Boelts

Station 1 is always a busy place. When there aren’t fires to put out there are plenty of chores to do. And on Thanksgiving Day there’s a big feast to prepare. Lou is in charge of dinner this year, but just as they finish shopping, a call comes in. They drop everything to get to the fire. Other calls interrupt Lou’s cooking throughout the day, and it looks like there may not be a Thanksgiving dinner for these firefighters.

Luckily, the grateful families in their neighborhood show their thanks in a thoughtful, perfect way.

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet

Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America—the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade.

Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood

Perhaps you’d like to know a secret, one of the happiest ones of all.
You will surely find it for yourself one day.
You’ll discover it all on your own, maybe when you least expect it. If you’ve not yet discovered the secret of saying thanks, it’s waiting for you. The secret can be found in the sunrise that offers promises full for the day ahead, or in the gentle shade of a tree sheltering you from the hot rays of the sun, or on the rock that offers rest from a long walk.

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli

Like the gardener thankful for every green sprout, and the fireman, for putting the fire out, readers are encouraged to be thankful for the many blessings they find in their lives. Spinelli exhibits her endearing storytelling with this engaging poem, reminding children how blessed and special they are. Meant to be read aloud, this heartwarming picture book will be a treasured keepsake for parents and children alike.

Giving Thanks: Poems, Prayers, and Praise Songs of Thanksgiving by Katherine Paterson

Katherine Paterson’s meditations on what it means to be truly grateful and Pamela Dalton’s exquisite cut-paper illustrations are paired with a collection of over 50 graces, poems, and praise songs from a wide range of cultures, religions, and voices. The unique collaboration between these two extraordinary artists flowers in this important and stunningly beautiful reflection on the act of giving thanks.

I’m Thankful by Terri-Sue Hill

Sometimes the people, places, and things we take for granted are the things for which we need to show gratitude. I’m Thankful was written to remind children of some of the many things we have to be thankful for.

Turkeys, Pilgrims, and Indian Corn: The Story of the Thanksgiving Symbols by Edna Barth

The story of the most truly American holiday and the development of its symbols and legends.

In Every Tiny Grain of Sand: A Child’s Book of Prayers and Praise by Reeve Lindbergh

Around the world and throughout time, people have cherished and spoken simple words that make them feel better when they are sad, brave when they are afraid, and befriended when they are alone—or just pleased to be alive on God’s earth.

I also really like the books by Kate Waters. Such great pictures and history lessons.

What are your favorite books for November?

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Favorite Pumpkin Books

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October 2, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 4 Comments

Fall is a magical time of crunchy leaves, crisp breezes with warm sunshine, bonfires, cider, harvest festivals, and all things pumpkin.

We love to snuggle up under blankets in the mornings and evenings with fun story books.

These pumpkin-themed books are perfect for fall!

Favorite Pumpkin Books:

Pumpkin Soup

Deep in the woods in an old white cabin, three friends make their pumpkin soup the same way every day. The Cat slices up the pumpkin, the Squirrel stirs in the water, and the Duck tips in just enough salt. But one day the Duck wants to stir instead, and then there is a horrible squabble, and he leaves the cabin in a huff. It isn’t long before the Cat and the Squirrel start to worry about him and begin a search for their friend. Rendered in pictures richly evoking autumn, Helen Cooper’s delightful story will resonate for an child who has known the difficulties that come with friendship. Included at the end is a recipe for delicious pumpkin soup.

Pumpkin Moonshine

It’s almost Halloween, and little Sylvie Ann has found the biggest, fattest pumpkin in the patch! But before she can carve it into pumpkin moonshine (also known as a jack-o’-lantern), she must get the pumpkin home.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

It’s Halloween night, which means costumes, trick-or-treating, bobbing for apples…and waiting for the Great Pumpkin. Linus is certain that the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch to bring toys to all the children of the world. Could this be the year that it finally happens?

The Pumpkin Patch Parable

This charming story for children illustrates how a loving farmer can turn a simple pumpkin into a simply glorious sight. In the same way, God’s transforming love can fill each of our hearts with joy and light. Liz Curtis Higgs created this parable as a way to share the Good News with her own precious children each harvest season . . . and now with children everywhere.

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie

Pumpkins! Who can resist the sight of big, round, orange pumpkins ripening in a field? Children piling off school buses to pick one out. Carving out funny faces, smiles, or scary frowns to illuminate Halloween doorsteps. Making room for that last piece of pumpkin pie after a delicious Thanksgiving feast. In this book, pumpkins aren’t just a fruit, they’re a symbol, a scent, a flavor of the entire season.

Pumpkin Jack

The first pumpkin Tim ever carved was fierce and funny, and he named it Jack. When Halloween was over and the pumpkin was beginning to rot, Tim set it out in the garden and throughout the weeks he watched it change

The Biggest Pumpkin Ever

Once there were two mice who fell in love with the same pumpkin….
Desmond the field mouse wants to carve the biggest jack-o’-lantern in the neighborhood with his pumpkin. Clayton the house mouse wants to win the Biggest Pumpkin contest with his. But when they discover that their choice pumpkins are actually the same one, Desmond and Clayton decide to work together to grow the biggest pumpkin ever!

The Pumpkin Book

How they grow, their traditional uses and cultural significance.

Too Many Pumpkins

With countless unwelcome pumpkins to deal with, Rebecca Estelle turns disaster into a celebration. One day, years and years later, white-haired Rebecca was busy not eating pumpkins when–SPLAT–a giant pumpkin fell off an overloaded truck and smashed into her yard. She buried the mess so she wouldn’t have to look at it, and, as you might imagine, she witnessed a bumper crop the following fall.

Pumpkin Circle

Bouncy verse and glowing photographs show a backyard pumpkin patch move through its natural cycle — a bug’¬?s eye and a bird’s high view of seeds sprouting, flowers blooming, bees buzzing, pumpkins growing . . .and then going back to earth. An author’s note explains how to grow your own pumpkin.

Pumpkin Pumpkin

Jamie plants a pumpkin seed in the spring and, after watching it grow all summer, carves a face in it for Halloween! But best of all, he saves some seeds that he will plant again next spring.

How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?

Every year, giant pumpkin contests take place at fairs across the country—the 2012 record-holder weighed over a ton! The latest craze is to carve the most enormous pumpkins into racing boats. But what’s next? Why not think really big? Award-winning artist Wendell Minor does just that as he imagines larger-than-life pumpkins decorating some of America’s favorite places—as immense as the Capitol dome, Mount Rushmore, the Brooklyn Bridge, even the Grand Canyon! This celebration of famous landmarks and landscapes plays with concepts of size and scale and is full of fun facts.

The Roll-Away Pumpkin

On a windy autumn day, Marla Little comes running down the hill, yelling, “Help! My giant pumpkin is rolling away! Onward it goes, rolling and turning, with no sign of stopping! Diddle-dee-doo! Oh, what shall I do?”
A little girl chases her giant pumpkin all over town with some help along the way. It’s the perfect autumn bedtime story to read with your little pumpkin.

The Very Best Pumpkin

Growing up on Mimi and Papa’s farm, Peter knows a lot about caring for pumpkins. One summer Peter finds a lonely pumpkin all by itself in the field, and with his tender care, the pumpkin flourishes. By autumn, it’s the very best pumpkin of all, and Peter wants to keep it for himself. But when a young girl shows up at the farm in quest of a perfect pumpkin, will Peter pass on his prized pumpkin and gain a friend?

Pumpkin Town

What happens when a town has an accidental abundance of pumpkins? What do José and his well-intentioned brothers do with a mountain of pumpkins? An EXPLOSION of pumpkins? Step into Pumpkin Town and see!

As a teacher, Katie McKy saw many children make mistakes. She also saw many children want to make their wrongs right.

As a gardener, Katie once planted too many pumpkin seeds. She was that a good thing can be a bad thing when the vines start to grow every which way

A Pumpkin Prayer

Colorful pumpkins, crunching leaves, crisp breezes―celebrate the abundance of the harvest season through charming illustrations and sweet rhymes that are perfect for young hearts.

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin

What’s going on in the pumpkin patch? Well, a very unusual pumpkin has hatched. While all others are round, Spookley is square. He’s not like his friends-they have curves, he has ends. And so everyone teases him, night and day.
But just before Halloween, the weather turns stormy. Winds toss the round pumpkins to and fro, and off they go, crashing and bashing and smashing–except Spookley. Can he, with his square little body, save the day?

The Ugly Pumpkin

The Ugly Pumpkin has waited all through October for someone to take him home, but no one wants him. He doesn’t look like other pumpkins. So the lonely Ugly Pumpkin leaves the patch in search of a place where he’ll fit in. By the time Thanksgiving arrives, he discovers the truth about who he is–but it’s not what he expected!

Pumpkin Patch Blessings

The sweet rhyming text by Kim Washburn and whimsical illustrations by Jacqueline East bring autumn alive for readers young and old as they take in the fun of the fall season and remember how much they have to be grateful for.

Pumpkins

Did you know pumpkins have been around for 11,000 years? Or that the biggest pumpkin on record weighed over 1,300 pounds? Learn all about pumpkins—where they come from, how to grow them, and more—in this informative book that’s guaranteed to squash the competition. Recipes, fun facts, and resources round out the text.

The Fierce Yellow Pumpkin

A fat little, round little, yellow little pumpkin dreams of growing up to be fierce and frightening, just like the scarecrow in the field. Then one day in autumn, when he has grown big and fat, the fierce yellow pumpkin gets the chance to become terrific and terrible.

The Vanishing Pumpkin

When a 700-year-old woman and an 800-year-old man want to make pumpkin pie on Halloween, they can’t find their pumpkin. “Our pumpkin’s been snitched,” cries the woman. And off they go to find it.

The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin

A little pumpkin is trying to find his way back home! And with a little help from a friendly witch, he is soon safe and sound, back on his porch—where there are no spiders to be seen!

The Pumpkin Runner

“Nearly all the sheep ranchers in Blue Gum Valley rode horses or drove jeeps to check on their sheep. But Joshua Summerhayes liked to run…with Yellow Dog trailing behind him.” So it’s no surprise when Joshua decides to enter a race from Melbourne to Sydney. People laugh when old Joshua shows up in his overalls and gumboots, calmly nibbling a slice of pumpkin for energy. But then he pulls into the lead, and folks are forced to sit up and take notice. Inspired by a true event (and just in time for fall’s pumpkin harvest!) a talented team introduces a humble and generous hero who knows that winning isn’t always the reason to run a race.

This is NOT a Pumpkin

It
may
be round like
a pumpkin and even orange
like a pumpkin, but this is NOT
a pumpkin! If it’s not a pumpkin,
then what is it?

Have fun with this pumpkin unit study!

Check out my fall posts and other pumpkin posts.

What are your favorite pumpkin books?

Linking up: Our Holiday Journey, Mrs. AOK, Barbie Swihart, Donna Reidland, Lori Schumaker, Holley Gerth, Create with Joy, MaryAndering Creatively, Marilyn’s Treats, A Fresh Start, Inspiration for Moms, Crafty Moms Share, Curly Crafty Mom, Mummascribbles, Simple Life of a Fire Wife,

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Top 10 Books for Homeschoolers

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September 20, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 20 Comments

I did some research before making this list. Lots of other homeschool bloggers have published lists of must-have homeschool books.

So many of the lists are the same old books, written by the same homeschool conference speakers. It’s like there’s a cult of Christian homeschool speakers and bloggers out there, hawking their trite little poorly-written devotionals to homeschool moms. These are the same people who crowdsource on social media things that should be kept private, but I digress.

While I am a Christian and I read The Bible and devotionals and Christian studies with my family, I do not agree that the most important job as a homeschool mother is to ensure my children’s spiritual health. That puts an awful lot of responsibility on my shoulders!

All learning is the child’s journey and his or her responsibility.

Our role as parents is to guide, introduce, coach, mentor.

When I began homeschooling almost thirteen years ago, it was solely for academic reasons. I’ve tried all sorts of methods and curricula over the years, and I’ve come full circle, back to academics. Lots of curricula out there is faith-based, and we’ve gotten to the realization that most of it is dumbed down, biased, white-washed, Euro-centric – kind of like the direct opposite of public school curricula with its absence of anything religious, but still with the similar bias.

I have some different perspectives and priorities than other homeschoolers, for sure. I have a bachelor’s degree in English literature. I have a Master’s in Education, specializing in teaching English in grades 6-12. I was an educator in the public and private sector for almost ten years. I taught middle school, high school, and college. I had ESOL, gifted, advanced, and regular ed students. I taught literature, grammar, and writing. I substitute taught, worked in after-school programs, and tutored in reading to students who scored low on standardized tests. I’ve worked as a private English tutor to high school students.

I hated the textbooks for their white-washed short stories, bland poetry, excerpts of novels, grammar drills, writing exercises, and busy work. I hated assigning homework and grades for meaningless assignments.

Homeschool moms don’t have to have degrees in education (or anything) to teach their children well. I realize how daunting a task it can be to teach our own. Thank God my husband understands algebra and physics, because I sure don’t. But kids can and will learn on their own, despite us!

Often, we should just get out of the way.

As a homeschool mom, I don’t recreate a school environment. I don’t waste time. I don’t give grades, busy work, projects. In our home, learning is a natural process, based on interests. We try not to suck all the joy out of it.

I’ve met a lot of homeschool moms who seem to really hate their kids, hate books, hate learning, and generally have a really bad attitude about so many things. They scoff that they don’t want to have to learn Latin to teach their kids. They don’t like reading. They want their kids to complete their school work on the computer so they’re out of their hair. They complain about everything. Really, they just want to create a public school prison environment in their home, but they don’t want to be involved in the process at all. I think these parents should reevaluate some priorities.

I’ve read a lot about recommended homeschool books on the other lists. Most of them leave me feeling worthless and hopeless. I don’t really have a problem with self-confidence, home care, budgeting my time or my money, or screentime…but these books make me feel stupid for not having these problems.

I am not weary.
I am not desperate.

I don’t want a devotional.

I do not include The Bible in my list. I figure that’s your personal choice whether it is in your home, heart, or homeschool.

My Favorite Books for Homeschoolers:

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen
Americans have lost touch with their history, and in Lies My Teacher Told Me, Professor James Loewen shows why. After surveying eighteen leading high school American history texts, he has concluded that not one does a decent job of making history interesting or memorable. Marred by an embarrassing combination of blind patriotism, mindless optimism, sheer misinformation, and outright lies, these books omit almost all the ambiguity, passion, conflict, and drama from our past.
Loewen explores how historical myths continue to be perpetuated in today’s climate and adds an eye-opening chapter on the lies surrounding 9/11 and the Iraq War. From the truth about Columbus’s historic voyages to an honest evaluation of our national leaders, the author revives our history, restoring the vitality and relevance it truly possesses.
This book was really eye-opening and I remember wondering about some of what I learned (and didn’t learn!) in my public school history classes.
The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise
This book will instruct you, step by step, on how to give your child an academically rigorous, comprehensive education from preschool through high school―one that will train him or her to read, to think, to understand, to be well-rounded and curious about learning.
This is the first book I ever read about homeschooling and it’s still a favorite!
Uncovering the The Logic of English by Denise Eide
Multiple award-winning book on reading and spelling education that will transform how you think about English!
As an English teacher, I appreciate this book, the author and her approach! I even learned a lot!
Teach Your Own by John Holt and Pat Farenga
This new edition is supplemented with financial and legal advice as well as a guide to cooperating with schools and facing the common objections to home schooling. Teach Your Own not only has all the vital information necessary to be the bible for parents teaching their own children, it also conveys John Holt’s wise and passionate belief in every child’s ability to learn from the world that has made his wonderful books into enduring classics.
This is just brilliant and I loved the journey. Offers great reasons to homeschool.
Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life by Peter Gray
Free to Learn suggests that it’s time to stop asking what’s wrong with our children, and start asking what’s wrong with the system. It shows how we can act—both as parents and as members of society—to improve children’s lives and to promote their happiness and learning.
I really changed how we parent and homeschool after reading this book.
How Children Learn by John Holt
Fifty years ago John Holt woke the dreary world of educational theory by showing that for small children “learning is as natural as breathing.” His brilliant observations are as true today as they were then.
It’s very important to work with children’s natural interests to learn, rather than against their inclinations.
Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto
Thirty years in New York City’s public schools led John Gatto to the sad conclusion that compulsory schooling does little but teach young people to follow orders like cogs in an industrial machine.
Another great book if you’re on the fence about homeschooling. Offers great reasons why schools are unnecessary and failing.
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
Last Child in the Woods is the first book to bring together cutting-edge research showing that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development-physical, emotional, and spiritual. What’s more, nature is a potent therapy for depression, obesity, and Add. Environment-based education dramatically improves standardized test scores and grade point averages and develops skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making. Even creativity is stimulated by childhood experiences in nature.
This book made me realize what I knew all along and we make it a priority to get outside every day.
Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) by Lenore Skenazy
Any risk is seen as too much risk. But if you try to prevent every possible danger or difficult in your child’s everyday life, that child never gets a chance to grow up. We parents have to realize that the greatest risk of all just might be trying to raise a child who never encounters choice or independence.
I grew up free-range, and my kids are well-balanced. I think all the rules for parents are a little over the top in some cities and states.
Home Grown: Adventures in Parenting off the Beaten Path, Unschooling, and Reconnecting with the Natural World by Ben Hewitt
Living in tune with the natural world teaches us to reclaim our passion, curiosity, and connectivity. Hewitt shows us how small, mindful decisions about day-to-day life can lead to greater awareness of the world in your backyard and beyond. We are inspired to ask: What is the true meaning of “home” when the place a family lives is school, school system, and curriculum? When the parent is also the teacher, how do parenting decisions affect a child’s learning?
Another great book about unschooling and lifelong learning.

Also, check out my parenting book list. New to homeschooling? Read this.

What’s your favorite homeschooling book?

Linking up: Crafty Moms Share, Blogghetti, Life of Faith, Modest Mom, Barbie Swihart, Our Holiday Journey, Marilyn’s Treats, Holley Gerth, Lori Schumaker, A Fresh Start, Inspiration for Moms, Create with Joy, Blessed but Stressed, Godsized Dreams, Donna Reidland, Our Mini Family, The Mrs. Tee, Curly Crafty Mom,MaryAndering Creatively, Sarah Frazer, Southern Beauty Guide, Aprons & Pearls, Meghan Weyerbacher, Purposeful Faith, Teaching What is Good, April Harris, Trekking Thru, LouLou Girls, Mumma Scribbles, Live Randomly Simple,Jessi’s Design, Wise Woman, Our Three Peas, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Five Kids a Dog and a Blog, Ducks N a Row, Soaring with Him, Breakthrough Homeschooling, Becoming Press, Mississippi Mom, Messy Marriage, Classical Homemaking, Mommynificent,Sincerely Paula, Life Beyond the Kitchen, Saving 4Six, Penny’s Passion, Simple Life of a Fire Wife, My Learning Table, Blessed Transgressions, Quietly Reminded, Debbie Kitterman, Married by His Grace, A Bountiful Love, Creative K Kids, Organized 31, Brenda Bradford Dottinger, Create with Joy, Happy and Blessed Home, Missional Women, Lyli Dunbar, Susan Mead, Crystal Waddell, Coffee with Us3, The Answer is Chocolate, Momfessionals, The Blended Blog, Katherine’s Corner, Life with Lorelai, The Charm of Home, Being a Wordsmith,

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Pirate Books

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September 19, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

It’s Talk Like a Pirate Day!

I remember a fun unit I taught to my gifted eighth graders on Treasure Island.

I dressed up like a pirate and we talked pirate for our block period and played pirate games.

There are lots of great books about pirates, both fiction and nonfiction. Of course, there are the tales of Peter Pan and the new Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Our family loves Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Dive into these great classic pirate selections!

Fun Pirate Books:

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long

Pirates have green teeth—when they have any teeth at all. I know about pirates, because one day, when I was at the beach building a sand castle and minding my own business, a pirate ship sailed into view.
So proclaims Jeremy Jacob, a boy who joins Captain Braid Beard and his crew in this witty look at the finer points of pirate life by the Caldecott Honor–winning illustrator David Shannon and the storyteller Melinda Long. Jeremy learns how to say “scurvy dog,” sing sea chanteys, and throw food . . . but he also learns that there are no books or good night kisses on board: “Pirates don’t tuck.” A swashbuckling adventure with fantastically silly, richly textured illustrations that suit the story to a T.

Pirateology: The Pirate Hunter’s Companion by Captain William Lubber, with Dugald A. Steer (Editor)

Step lively, pirate foes and fanciers! Mysterious booty found inside a long-lost sea chest, hidden for hundreds of years off the coast of Newfoundland, has just been uncovered for your enjoyment. Within these covers is the fascinating eighteenth-century journal of Captain William Lubber, an earnest soul who sailed the seas in search of the vicious female pirate Arabella Drummond. Prepare for a mesmerizing tale of the golden age of piracy — from storm-tossed sailing ships to tantalizing treasure islands, from pirates’ flags and fashions to their wily weapons and wicked ways. An extraordinary find for pirateologists, here is a true and complete companion for the dedicated pirate hunter.

Pirateology’s special treasures include:
— a stunning cover bearing a working compass and glittering gems—treasure map with a missing piece — for the canny reader to find
— multiple flaps, maps, charts, and booklets harboring codes and clues
— intricate drawings of ships’ interiors
— a packet of gold dust — a pocket sundial
— a cache of pirate letters, pieces of eight— and a jewel as a final reward

Pirate (DK Eyewitness Books) by Richard Platt

Take a close-up look at the colorful–and cruel–robbers of the sea. Learn who devised the terrifying Jolly Roger, how a surprisingly disciplined life was maintained aboard pirate ships, and what cunning ruses pirates used to lure merchants to their doom.

The Book of Pirates by Howard Pyle

Highly readable, magnificently illustrated tales recount the rip-roaring adventures of swashbuckling pirates and buccaneers of the Spanish Main. Includes “The Ghost of Captain Brand,” “Tom Chist and the Treasure Box,” “Jack Ballister’s Fortunes,” “The Ruby of Kishmoor,” and other tales. Enhanced with 63 of the author’s own illustrations, including 11 full-color plates.

Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne

It’s a treasure trove of trouble! Jack and Annie are in for a high-seas adventure when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the days of deserted islands, secret maps—and ruthless pirates! Will they discover a buried treasure? Or will they be forced to walk the plank?

The Barefoot Book of Pirates by Richard Walker

This swashbuckling collection of pirate tales is brimful with drama and adventure on the high seas. Young children will meet fierce characters such as the captain in the German tale, Kobold and the Pirates; others, like young Mochimitsu in the Japanese tale, are friendly and funny. They will also meet the infamous Grace O’Malley, one of Ireland’s most feared pirates. Specially compiled for young readers, these tales are perfect for reading aloud.

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

The first title in the series introduces the lovable Walker family, the camp on Wild Cat island, the able-bodied catboat Swallow, and the two intrepid Amazons, Nancy and Peggy Blackett.

The Red Rover by James Fenimore Cooper

No one, who is familiar with the bustle and activity of an American commercial town, would recognize, in the repose which now reigns in the ancient mart of Rhode Island, a place that, in its day, has been ranked amongst the most important ports along the whole line of our extended coast. It would seem, at the first glance, that nature had expressly fashioned the spot to anticipate the wants and to realize the wishes of the mariner. Enjoying the four great requisites of a safe and commodious haven, a placid basin, an outer harbour, and a convenient roadstead, with a clear offing, Newport appeared, to the eyes of our European ancestors, designed to shelter fleets and to nurse a race of hardy and expert seamen. Though the latter anticipation has not been entirely disappointed, how little has reality answered to expectation in respect to the former. A successful rival has arisen, even in the immediate vicinity of this seeming favourite of nature, to defeat all the calculations of mercantile sagacity, and to add another to the thousand existing evidences “that the wisdom of man is foolishness.”

Captain Singleton by Daniel Defoe

“I was too young in the trade to keep any journal of this voyage, though my master, who was, for a Portuguese, a pretty good artist, prompted me to it; but my not understanding the language was one hindrance; at least it served me for an excuse. However, after some time, I began to look into his charts and books; and, as I could write a tolerable hand, understood some Latin, and began to have a little smattering of the Portuguese tongue, so I began to get a superficial knowledge of navigation, but not such as was likely to be sufficient to carry me through a life of adventure, as mine was to be. In short, I learned several material things in this voyage among the Portuguese; I learned particularly to be an arrant thief and a bad sailor; and I think I may say they are the best masters for teaching both these of any nation in the world.”

Pericles by William Shakespeare

A prince risks his life to win a princess, but discovers that she is in an incestuous relationship with her father and flees to safety. He marries another princess, but she dies giving birth to their daughter. The adventures continue from one disaster to another until the grown-up daughter pulls her father out of despair and the play moves toward a gloriously happy ending.

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

The Caribbean, 1665. A remote colony of the English Crown, the island of Jamaica holds out against the vast supremacy of the Spanish empire. Port Royal, its capital, is a cutthroat town of taverns, grog shops, and bawdy houses. In this steamy climate there’s a living to be made, a living that can end swiftly by disease—or by dagger. For Captain Charles Hunter, gold in Spanish hands is gold for the taking, and the law of the land rests with those ruthless enough to make it. Word in port is that a galleon, fresh from New Spain, is awaiting repairs in a nearby harbor….

The Wine-Dark Sea by Patrick O’Brian

Their ship, the Surprise, is now also a privateer, the better to escape diplomatic complications from Stephen’s mission, which is to ignite the revolutionary tinder of South America. Jack will survive a desperate open boat journey and come face to face with his illegitimate black son; Stephen, caught up in the aftermath of his failed coup, will flee for his life into the high, frozen wastes of the Andes; and Patrick O’Brian’s brilliantly detailed narrative will reunite them at last in a breathtaking chase through stormy seas and icebergs south of Cape Horn, where the hunters suddenly become the hunted.

The Gold-Bug by Edgar Allan Poe

A fascinating detective story that combines romance and adventure in an absorbing tale of buried treasure.

The Island by Peter Benchley

How could hundreds boats carrying more than 2000 people simply disappear? Why does no one know or care to know? A newspaper editor becomes obsessed with what is happening.

I love this pirate trivia!

What’s your favorite pirate phrase?

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Challenging or Overwhelming?

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September 13, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 20 Comments

With so many curriculum options out there and the rigors of a classical education, how do I know how much is too much or too little?

A nudge is not a push; it’s an invitation.

A spirited, unruly student is preferable. It’s much easier to direct passion than to try and inspire it.
Joan Desmond

I certainly don’t want to overwhelm my kids, but I do want to challenge them.

How do I maintain balance?
How do I promote a love for learning?
How do I make our school time fun and engaging?
How do I get through those more difficult or disliked subjects?
How do I know when I need to make changes – to our schedule, curriculum, or level?

While I still struggle with many of these issues…having an almost 17-year-old, an 11-year-old, a 10-year-old, and a 7-year-old boy makes me think I at least have gotten this far and I may know a little bit.

We certainly struggled in the beginning. We tried many different workbooks, curricula, even styles, before getting comfortable and somewhat settled. While I can’t even touch on all the issues that homeschool moms face, I can tell you what worked for us. It may work for you or guide you to evaluate and prioritize.

Start with the basics. Bible study, reading, writing, maths. Some seasons, this is all you need. Having the freedom and blessing to homeschool is enough. The kids learn so much about relationships and faith from being protected from the world. When they’re little, focus on manners, courtesy, and habits.

To borrow a little tidbit from Charlotte Mason …

“The well-brought-up child has always been a child carefully trained in good habits.” (Vol. 2, p. 174)

Find a history and science the whole family can do together. If you have two or more children, you will want to do this. Trust me. (We use Apologia sciences and Story of the World history and Tapestry of Grace.) There are options for every budget. We only do history and science a couple days a week until they’re 10 or so.

Determine which extras are important, interesting, within budget, or necessary. These vary from family to family. We study Latin. We have a soccer star, a runner, and a piano player so far. We desire to limit our time outside the house. We eat dinner together every night. Yes, even church events get in the way of family time sometimes. And we purposely do not participate in many church programs because they often undermine what we believe.

When our homeschool is out of balance, my kids tell me with misbehavior, whining, laziness, or tears. Instead of disciplining them for being overwhelmed, I must step back and reevaluate our priorities.

…Do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

We are blessed to school year round and we can take time off to focus on a unit we really love or to review a fun product. So I don’t stress the schedule much. Now, if we lived in a state where I’d have to keep attendance and turn in lesson plans and stuff, I’d have problems getting that organized! But I did that when I taught public school, so I’d work out something.

So, how do I stay focused and evaluate our success?

Pray. Do Bible study as a family and teach your kids to do their own studies separately as soon as they are able. Even the littlest ones can have a Bible basket for quiet times. Pray for peace, balance, humility, patience, and contentment. Pray for direction and needs! Pray for your budget.
Reread The Well-Trained Mind every year. At least hit the highlights to help you remember what you’re doing and why, especially if you have a child changing levels.
Don’t attend a homeschool co-op if they take away from family and school time or your personal values. Do attend a co-op if they reinforce what you’re already doing. Don’t feel pressured. Do what’s right for your family and take a year off of co-op if necessary. Don’t feel guilty if that’s what you need to do. We do not attend a co-op.
Guard yourself against naysayers. I know it’s hard if they are family members. Pray for grace and understanding and for their hearts to be open. This is your family and your decision or calling.
Protect yourself against comparison. That homeschool blogger or family down the street, across town, at co-op, at convention, wherever…they’re not you. Their children are different from yours. Their marriage is different from yours. Their issues are different from yours. Their financial situation is different from yours. Their children learn differently from yours. And you don’t know the behind-the-scenes stuff. You don’t know their medical history, their debt problems, their therapy bills, or any of the highs and lows of their past and present. You only see what they allow you to see. Just be awesome you.
Find a schedule that works for you. I know homeschoolers who school at night, on weekends, only 3 days a week, take Wednesdays off…whatever works for your family!
Make a list. Keep to a budget. Ask your spouse to help make or guide decisions about curricula and activities.

Don’t be a hoarder or a collector. I am slowly purging all the workbooks, unit studies, manipulatives, and reference materials that I thought we’d someday use. My oldest is almost seventeen and my youngest is seven, but I realize now that less is more. If I haven’t used it by now, chances are we never will.

I had this fairy tale vision of Jane Austen governesses and girls in pastel dresses lying on the grass reading, reciting, and discussing. That dreamy Charlotte Mason model is just that – a dream. I could no more recreate that scene than I could stop a stampede of wild horses. My kids are themselves. They are individuals. They are rambunctious, precocious, sarcastic, and wonderful. I am raising them to be leaders, not mice. But I want them to be challenged just right. And that takes constant tweaking and evaluation to determine when to move on, when to skip something, or when to practice more.

I’m sure other teaching methods can be overwhelming, but I think classical homeschoolers want to do it all, learn it all, not miss anything. We often want to recreate that educational model of the past with its great rigors. I know I teach some subjects and topics very thoroughly because I didn’t learn it well in public school and I feel it’s of great value. And we can do all that – with balance and love – when the child is ready. There’s no need to push a three-year-old to read or a thirteen-year-old to write a research paper that’s university-worthy.

Work with your kids, not against them. They’re not the enemy. And we have all the time in the world.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Allow God to lead you. Monitor your children’s frustration levels and behavior. Ask your husband for guidance, even if he isn’t involved in the homeschool. He still notices moods.

Do you also struggle with exasperating your children?

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Transitioning in Classical Education

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September 12, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

How do you know when your child is ready to transition from grammar to dialectic to rhetoric? There are many guides out there in the classical education world with recommendations based on age or grade level, but it is really up to the parent/teacher to determine when the child is ready.

What are signs of readiness?

When a child is ready to move on from grammar to dialectic/logic, I look for her to begin making connections and asking lots of questions. The age/grade levels are a guide only. My daughter began making connections earlier than the recommendations. I didn’t want to hold her back with a too-low reading level or have her get bored with further memorizing. We moved on in our curriculum to the “dialectic level.” We still often read the grammar books with the younger siblings because they’re awesome. We continued with memorizing new material. We continued with history timelines. Some things don’t change.

The reading lists on Ambleside Online are a great guide. They are challenging. If they’re too easy, then you need to look to move on to keep the child interested. The key is to challenge without frustration. They don’t necessarily coincide to grade levels.

It concerns me to read articles citing that some children shouldn’t expect to even move on to the rhetoric level (can’t find the reference, but I remember reading this recently). I feel it’s my duty to get my children to that level where they can eventually surpass the master and self-teach. Rhetoric is Socratic dialogue and critical thinking about what is learned. (Dictionary definition: “The art of speaking and writing effectively.”) I think this is one area in which our schools are sorely lacking–as is most of society! The idea of “can’t” permeates our mindsets. If no one else (or very few) achieves it, then it must be impossible or improbable. Our curriculuam rhetoric level is advanced high school and even college level reading and work

How does your child learn best? The descriptions of different learning styles really helps me adapt my teaching of different lessons and subjects to each of my children while not expecting fish to climb trees.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” ~ Albert Einstein

Parents should know their children best and monitor challenges to observe when it’s best to move into the next learning level. I love this about homeschooling. I learn along with my children and know them intimately: what their interests are, what they love and dislike, where their passions lie. I know what frustrates them. I can reteach a concept that’s difficult. We can move on when we’re ready. We can skip pages (gasp!). We can do 2nd grade math and 4th grade reading or mix it up however it works best for us.

The three foundations of a classical education:

Grammar Level {Grammar overview}

Dialectic Level {Dialectic overview}

Rhetoric Level {Rhetoric overview}

Here’s an introduction to Classical Education and you can read the Three Pillars of Classical Education

“The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.” ~ Plato

When I began teaching Elizabeth, I had no idea what I was doing. All options were wide open to me. I had taught public middle and high school students, and college courses. What was I supposed to do with a bright five-year-old? And that whole October birthday thing just threw us off schedule!

I started with The Well-Trained Mind (TWTM). I’m not sure how I discovered it, but it must have just been an internet search. I think it appealed to me that it was an education such as I would have desired to have (and aha – there’s The Well-Educated Mind for others like me!).

We had no real friends who homeschooled. No mentors. We had just moved from Georgia to Texas, thanks to the Air Force. I couldn’t find a teaching job, and Elizabeth’s birthday was too late for her to begin kindergarten, even in a private school. God closed every door to direct us to home educate our children.

I loved the curriculum options for all subjects from 1st-12th that are laid out in The Well-Trained Mind (TWTM). Yay for choices! But I had set in my mind that my daughter should be in kindergarten. She was only just 5 in October! Yet I knew in my heart that she was well beyond what kindergartners did all day. (She would have been a trouble-maker in school, that one.)

So I began with an old math workbook and a set of readers from my husband’s mother. She had taught kindergarten and second grade for 32 years! I let Liz set the pace. We sat at the kitchen table for “school” every morning.

Liz completed all the “kindergarten” work I had for her in ONE MONTH. Now what?!

Since Elizabeth already knew how to read fluently, I bought the first volume of The Story of the World and we went. to. town. We read through that and loved the notebooking and the narrating and the doing of fun projects. I loved the combining of history and literature – it seemed gloriously fun to do these unit studies.

We read through First Language Lessons (when it was levels 1 and 2 in one book!) and that was highly enjoyable for both of us. The English teacher inside me just ate it up! Liz loved the copywork and handwriting exercises. She is highly developed in language. We’ve never formally studied grammar or spelling after that. Liz now gets all her grammar education from her Latin programs.

I followed TWTM that first few years religiously. I had no other guidance. It was safe.

For the most part, Liz did really well and everything was fine with TWTM module.

Then she hit those upper elementary years. Tragedy!

The Story of the World just didn’t cut it for her that second time around. You’re supposed to cycle through those 4 volumes of history 4 times, digging deeper in each cycle, but we dug pretty deep on the first go-round.

Thus began the search for something more in-depth.

We dabbled in Charlotte Mason lessons for a year, but Liz needed more structure. I was in survival mode with another move across the continent and a new baby!

We now use Tapestry of Grace for our main curriculum. It encompasses history and literature, with all the necessary components, such as geography and writing. It divides the curriculum into four levels of classical education: lower and upper grammar, dialectic (logic), and rhetoric. {Story of the World is a core text during the upper grammar level.} We cannot express how much we love it. Our library is very well utilized and our bookshelves are overflowing. We use notebooking every week for the history and literature assignments. We like some of the craft projects and the fine arts program. It is well worth the price, especially to be able to use it for multiple children throughout the years. Some weeks, we have a family read-aloud, but mostly, the kids have different reading selections all on the same theme. I love how well it suits us!

For Victoria and Katherine, First Language Lessons was just ok. I’m not sure if it’s me or them or a combination of us all, but we didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as I did with Elizabeth. They do love the poems and letter writing activities, but perhaps the grammar memorization was too much for them. Part of this may be that we need to get to reading fluency before studying parts of speech thoroughly. Much of it may just be different personalities and abilities. I didn’t use it at all with my son, Alex.

And the point to classical education is for the child to go at the pace at which his or her mind develops. It’s a cognitive progression. I have no need to rush Tori and Katie and no need to compare them to where Liz was at their age. Age doesn’t matter with classical education. And I’ve never been a stickler for “what grade they’re in.” I don’t have to fit them into those boxes. Thank God.

While Liz is extremely interested in every aspect of history, Tori is not. Katie likes only some of it. Katie balks at copywork, and Liz and Tori love it. Tori is fascinated by math; Liz is not. Katie and Liz are both linguistically gifted, reading early and desiring to learn foreign languages. Tori struggles a bit with reading since she is so right-brained! I constantly re-evaluate my methods and try not to compare the children to each other. I can tell my son Alex will probably be very verbal and I breathe a sigh of relief for my boy to love books in addition to being a very kinesthetic learner. And all my children are very musical (whereas I am not).

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The Summer that God Slammed Doors

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September 7, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 18 Comments

2005.

That crazy whirlwind of a summer.

It actually began with Aaron’s deployment being canceled upon the sudden passing of his father. That was the catalyst to change my life forever and always.

Since there was no position available for Aaron at his current base, they pushed up his PCS. I had to quit my job teaching college English and prepare to move from Georgia to Texas immediately.

The day the movers arrived, I discovered I was pregnant with Victoria.

When we arrived in Texas in late June, I could not find any position in education anywhere in the city of San Antonio. Because I wasn’t fluent in Spanish.

As fall approached, we realized we had to make some hard, quick decisions.

We couldn’t afford to place Elizabeth in day care or private school if I couldn’t work. Her October birthday held her back from beginning kindergarten at the public school.

I knew I would have Victoria in the spring and it would interfere with work if I found a job.

I’d like to say we prayed through this, but we didn’t really discuss our decisions with God. He did do a great job of slamming all doors so we would listen, though.

We decided I would stay home for a year or two and keep Elizabeth home with me and teach her. The plan was that she would eventually attend school after the primary grades. Then we could all go back to “normal.”

Aaron’s family thought we were crazy. Both his parents, both his sisters, and one brother-in-law were all public school teachers. They didn’t like the idea of homeschooling at all.

We submitted to having Liz tested by one of their teacher friends. Liz tested very high on everything, over third grade in reading at only age five.

They were satisfied.

As I taught Liz at home that first year of homeschooling, I realized she was getting smarter, more independent, and more creative. The gap between her and other school children her age was widening instead of narrowing. I knew it would be much more difficult for her to reintegrate into a school environment.

I realize that all those changes that summer, while at the time totally stressing us out, were molding us into the family God wanted us to be. He knew best what we needed and where we needed to be and what we should be doing. Over the years, we have learned that we cannot rely on others – family or friends – but that only leaning on God for our guidance brings us success.

My husband and I grew up in a time when the only homeschool families we knew were rather strange, and we certainly didn’t want that stigma. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home so the Über fundamentalist homeschoolers I met didn’t appeal to me. Many homeschoolers I met those first few years helped me to set goals of what I didn’t want for my family. It was a whole new world, and I felt really prepared on the academic side since I had teacher training and a love for learning. But I was not prepared for the homemaking and parenting shift of being home all day, every day with two – and then three! – little girls. I fought God and my husband tooth and nail for my selfish needs. It was a difficult time for our family while God changed our hearts. It was a tough journey experimenting with curriculum choices, co-ops, and homeschool groups and finally gaining confidence in my teaching abilities and God’s direction for our homeschool.

What began as a one-year experiment simply because I was home with two, then three, young daughters turned into a never-look-back lifestyle. It’s been over ten years, and now we have four little lambs and have homeschooled in four states, plus Germany!

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New to Homeschooling?

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September 6, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 10 Comments

When I began homeschooling almost thirteen years ago, it was solely for academic reasons. I’ve tried all sorts of methods and curricula over the years, and I’ve come full circle: back to the same academics.

Lots of curricula out there is faith-based, and we’ve gotten to the realization that most of it is dumbed down, biased, white-washed, Euro-centric…kind of the opposite of public school curricula with its absence of any religious doctrine, but still with bias. We use lots of book lists to study history and science. We want the truth, not some watered-down, evangelical, conservative view of the truth.

I have some different perspectives and priorities than other homeschoolers, for sure.

I have a bachelor’s degree in English literature (w o r t h l e s s). I have a master’s in education, specializing in teaching English grades 6-12. I earned an endorsement in gifted education and I was a school coordinator for the gifted program. Did you know “gifted” students fall under the special education umbrella? I was an educator in the public and private sector for almost ten years. I taught middle school, high school, and college. I had ESOL, gifted, advanced, and regular ed students. I taught literature, grammar, reading, and writing. I substitute taught, worked in after-school programs, and tutored students who scored low on standardized tests. I’ve worked as a private English tutor to high school students.

So, there’s that personal history. I was an “actual” teacher. I know the other side.

Homeschool parents don’t have to have college degrees in education (or anything) to teach their children well.

I realize how daunting a task it can be to teach our own. Thank God my husband is a whiz in algebra, chemistry, and physics, because I’m not. But kids can and will learn on their own, despite us! Often, we should just get out of the way.

As a homeschool mom, I don’t recreate a school environment. I don’t waste time. I don’t give grades, tests, busy work, or projects. In our home, learning is a natural process, based on interests. We try not to suck all the joy out of it.

People think I know some stuff since I have a daughter finishing up her homeschool academics, taking the SAT, graduating, taking college courses, and taking off into the world.

I try really hard not to impose my beliefs on others. We have our reasons for homeschooling. We are staunch advocates for learning at home. We are anti-school. I don’t believe school is necessary at all. Home is base and everything else is just supplementary. I don’t even like co-ops or enrolling my kids in classes.

I realize many families homeschool their kids for different reasons, with different styles, sometimes temporarily or for just a season, and maybe one child attends school while another in the household stay home. I may not understand some of this, but to each her own.

What I have to Say to a New Homeschooler:

You don’t need a script.

You don’t need to re-create school at home.

You don’t have to be driven by fear.

Don’t overdo it.

You don’t have to use Christian curricula. Or the same texts as a public or private school.

You can change your curricula anytime, for any reason.

You don’t even need a curriculum, actually.

You don’t need a DVD or online program.

You don’t need a chore chart.

You don’t have to join a co-op.

You don’t have to get up early and “do school” before lunch. You can learn anytime!

You don’t have to use schoolish words like “recess” or “class” or “seatwork.”

You don’t have to spend a lot of money.

You don’t need a classroom.

How We Homeschool

We don’t have a schedule.

We don’t do testing.

We don’t do grades.

We don’t participate in a co-op or many group activities at all.

Reading, writing, and discussion usually take about an hour each day. The rest of the time, the kids learn what and how they like.

We don’t worry about screen time.

We don’t use checklists, charts, agendas, calendars, etc.

We don’t use punishments or rewards systems of any kind.

We don’t overschedule our lives.

We stay home most of the time.

We have lots of free time to think, explore, read, play, cook, create, or do whatever we desire.

We’re more about the process than the outcome.

I respect my kids. I trust my kids.

Children can make their own decisions. They can teach themselves.

They know themselves best – their preferences, tastes, likes, and dislikes.

I’m a guide, a coach, a mentor.

It’s not my job to teach every lesson or provide everything for my kids. Most of my own learning happened after I became an adult. Learning is a lifetime activity.

I love to introduce my kids to new things – new foods, art, experiences, movies, books. If they love it, great. I try not to get my feelings hurt if they don’t care for something I love. Usually, my enthusiasm is enough to get them to at least try something new. It’s my role to introduce and I am proud I have enough knowledge and experience to give them so many choices and expose them to so many new things. I am constantly learning and researching and seeking new things to show them. I love it.

My Top 5 for Successful Homeschooling

Focus
Many homeschool families have a central focus, and everything else revolves around that. For us, it’s the humanities. For some, it’s gymnastics or ice skating or math or science. Find your focus, and go after it.
Relationships
Family relationships are the most important aspect of homeschooling. If you don’t set a stage for successful home relations, homeschooling will be miserable. Sure, there are times when someone is irritable or needs alone time, but we help each other, work well together, and respect each other. We enjoy being together, even the teens! Connection and relationship is the most important aspect of parenting and homeschooling.
Life Skills
Everyone needs to learn the basics – basic finances, car maintenance, cooking, cleaning, clothes mending, appliance fixing, yard work, household management and maintenance. It’s super important. Team up with others to learn these if you don’t know it yourself!
Experiences
Sure, you can learn lots from books or videos, but experiences are more memorable. We always try to find an experience to represent what we learn about – field trips, museums, road trips, travel, activities, hands-on.
Foundation
Most of us realize the importance of a good academic foundation. The 3 R’s – Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic. Also, a good moral foundation – religion, faith, social justice, or whatever personal concept is important to your family. Academics are actually secondary for us.

Our Favorite Homeschool Resources

THE LIBRARY! We go every week and gets lots and lots and lots of books on every subject that looks interesting!

ARTistic Pursuits and museums for art that we learn with history.

We create playlists on Spotify and learn about music with history.

See How We Do What We Do. My parenting book list.

View my favorite books for parenting, marriage, and more.

How long have you been homeschooling?

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Favorite Fall Books

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September 1, 2017 By Jennifer Lambert 24 Comments

Fall is a magical time of year.

We feel a nip in the air in the mornings and after the sun drops behind the trees. Leaves start to shed their green hue and show off their real selves.

It’s back to school time. It’s apple picking season.

Pumpkin everything is suddenly everywhere. We do a pumpkin theme in October.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

Our list of favorite fall books.

We read these selections every September. Leaves, apples, scarecrows.

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows.

With illustrations made from actual fall leaves and die-cut pages on every spread that reveal gorgeous landscape vistas, here is a playful, whimsical, and evocative book that celebrates the natural world and the rich imaginative life of children.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

Watercolor collage and pieces of actual seeds, fabric, wire, and roots in this innovative and rich introduction to the life of a tree. A special glossary explains how roots absorb nutrients, what photosynthesis is, how sap circulates, and other facts about trees.

The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall

We have a special tree in our yard–an apple pie tree!
Colorful collage illustrations follow each season as an apple tree grows leaves, fragrant blossoms, and tiny green apples. Soon the fruit is big, red, and ready to be picked. It’s time to make an apple pie! Here is a celebration of apples and how things grow–sure to delight young readers all year long.

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson

As the leaves fall from his favorite tree, Fletcher worries that something is terribly wrong. But then winter comes, and with it a wonderful surprise.

The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons

Arnold collects apple blossoms in spring, builds a tree house in summer, makes apple pie and cider in the fall, and hangs strings of popcorn and berries for the birds in winter, among other seasonal activities. Includes a recipe for apple pie and a description of how an apple cider press works.

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger

As all the other leaves float off and fly past, Little Yellow Leaf thinks, I’m not ready yet.

As the seasons change all around, Little Yellow Leaf holds on to the tree. Still not ready.

Will Little Yellow Leaf ever be ready?

Leaves by David Ezra Stein

Bear is surprised when the leaves start falling off the trees, but when he tries to reattach them, it doesn’t work. Eventually, he gets sleepy, and burrows into the fallen leaves for a long nap. When he wakes up, it’s spring-and there are suddenly brand-new leaves all around, seeming to welcome him.

The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson

These are the apples, juicy and red,
that went in the pie,
warm and sweet,
that Papa baked…
for guess who!

Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka

Fall is all mixed up in this silly book! Can you find his mistakes in the words and pictures?

Autumnblings: Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian

This collection of poems and paintings welcomes fall with all the crisp energy of a joyful tumbling run.

Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh

Rhymed text and illustrations relate the life of John Chapman, whose distribution of apple seeds and trees across the Midwest made him a legend and left a legacy still enjoyed today.

Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth by Jane Yolen

Everyone knows the legend of Johnny Appleseed, the man from Massachusetts who planted apple trees all the way to California. But the true story of Johnny Appleseed, or John Chapman, is even greater than the legend.

The Scarecrow’s Dance by Jane Yolen

We’re introduced to the fickle scarecrow, who decides to leave his station and dance away the fall night. He leaps through the fields until he reaches the farmhouse, where he sees a small light in the window. Inside, a boy is saying his prayers, and he offers up a special prayer for the corn that will be harvested in the morning. Humbled, the scarecrow knows what he has to do: He returns to the field and watches over the corn as only he can.

Fall Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow

Learn about autumn leaves through a lyrical tale with illustrations and activities
With beautiful illustrations and a lyrical narrative, Virginia Snow takes children on a fun and educational adventure. Take a stroll through the woods and learn to identify 24 different kinds of leaves by their shapes and autumn colors. At the end of the day, learn how to press the gathered leaves and how to make a leaf rubbing.

Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant

They perch high above gardens and fields, with borrowed coats and button eyes and pie-pan hands that glint in the sun. What else is there to know about them? Perhaps more than we realize

The Scarecrow’s Hat by Ken Brown

A resourceful chicken seeks the help of her farm animal friends to solve a problem, while giving something of herself along the way. Chicken really admires Scarecrow’s hat. Scarecrow would gladly trade his hat for a walking stick to rest his tired arms. Chicken doesn’t have a walking stick to trade—but she knows someone who does. Thus begins her quest to find items to trade among her farm friends, all to obtain a walking stick to swap for Scarecrow’s hat. But why does Chicken want an old straw hat?

The Apple Cake by Nienke van Hichtum

An old lady wants to bake a cake. She has everything she needs except apples. So she sets off to market to buy some apples, taking a basket of plums to trade along the way, just in case…

Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip by Elsa Beskow

This delightful autumn story describes woodland scenes when two acorn children get carried away to adventures by the blustery autumn wind.

South by Patrick McDonnell

When a little bird awakens to find that all of his friends and family have gone south for the winter, it takes a surprising friendship with Mooch the cat to help him find his way. This is a wordless and profoundly moving story–by the creator of the beloved comic strip Mutts–that explores being lost and found, crossing boundaries, saying goodbye, and broadening horizons.

Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall

Thus begins a lyrical journey through the days and weeks, the months, and the changing seasons in the life of one New Englander and his family. The oxcart man packs his goods – the wool from his sheep, the shawl his wife made, the mittens his daughter knitted, and the linen they wove. He packs the birch brooms his son carved, and even a bag of goose feathers from the barnyard geese.

He travels over hills, through valleys, by streams, past farms and villages. At Portsmouth Market he sells his goods, one by one – even his beloved ox. Then, with his pockets full of coins, he wanders through the market, buying provisions for his family, and returns to his home. And the cycle begins again.

The Sunflower Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs

The story of Logan, a young gardener who hopes to grow sunflowers that reach all the way to heaven by summer’s end. Side by side with his father, the wise farmer, Logan discovers the value of planting seeds, not only in the ground, but also in the hearts of his friends and neighbors.

See our FALL crafts, activities, and more! See our apple activities.

Do you have any favorite fall books not on my list?

Linking up: Life of Faith, Ducks N a Row, Modest Mom, Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth, Barbie Swihart, Our Holiday Journey, MaryAndering Creatively, Curly Crafty Mom, Squishable Baby, Create with Joy, Blessed But Stressed, Marilyns Treats, Simple Life of a Fire Wife, Donna Reidland, A Fresh Start, Inspiration for Moms, Lori Schumaker, Holly Gerth, JEmbellish, Mumma Scribbles, Southern Beauty Guide, Home Stories A to Z, Timeless Mama, Meghan Weyerbacher, Purposeful Faith, Trekking Thru, Teaching What is Good, LouLou Girls, April J Harris, Happily Ever After Etc., My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies, Wife Mommy Me, Wise Woman, Raggedy Bits, Ducks N a Row, Five Kids a Dog and Blog, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Becoming Press, Gingersnap Crafts, Our Three Peas, Raven Would, Pat and Candy, Soaring with Him, Mississippi Mom, Messy Marriage, A Bountiful Love, Sincerely Paula, My Learning Table, Penny’s Passion, Brenda Bradford Dottinger, Debbie Kitterman, Organized 31, Suzanne Eller, Joyful Homemaking, Life Beyond the Kitchen, Creative K Kids, Happy and Blessed Home, Marilyns Treats Thursday, Coffee with Us3, Missional Women, Create with Joy, Nancy on the Homefront, The Charm of Home, Lyli Dunbar, Crystal T Waddell, Life with Lorelai, Being a Wordsmith, Our Mini Family,

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Our Favorite Winter Books:

What’s your favorite winter book?

This Thanksgiving book list teaches lessons on history and thankfulness to guide our hearts.

What are your favorite books for November?

These pumpkin-themed books are perfect for fall!

Favorite Pumpkin Books:

How Big Could Your Pumpkin Grow?

Have fun with this pumpkin unit study!

Check out my fall posts and other pumpkin posts.

What are your favorite pumpkin books?

All learning is the child’s journey and his or her responsibility.

Our role as parents is to guide, introduce, coach, mentor.

My Favorite Books for Homeschoolers:

Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen

The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise

Uncovering the The Logic of English by Denise Eide

Teach Your Own by John Holt and Pat Farenga

Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life by Peter Gray

How Children Learn by John Holt

Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv

Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) by Lenore Skenazy

Home Grown: Adventures in Parenting off the Beaten Path, Unschooling, and Reconnecting with the Natural World by Ben Hewitt

Also, check out my parenting book list. New to homeschooling? Read this.

What’s your favorite homeschooling book?

It’s Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Fun Pirate Books:

How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long

Pirateology: The Pirate Hunter’s Companion by Captain William Lubber, with Dugald A. Steer (Editor)

Pirate (DK Eyewitness Books) by Richard Platt

The Book of Pirates by Howard Pyle

Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne

The Barefoot Book of Pirates by Richard Walker

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

The Red Rover by James Fenimore Cooper

Captain Singleton by Daniel Defoe

Pericles by William Shakespeare

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

The Wine-Dark Sea by Patrick O’Brian

The Gold-Bug by Edgar Allan Poe

The Island by Peter Benchley

What’s your favorite pirate phrase?

I certainly don’t want to overwhelm my kids, but I do want to challenge them.

Do you also struggle with exasperating your children?

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” ~ Albert Einstein

The three foundations of a classical education:

“The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.” ~ Plato

I have some different perspectives and priorities than other homeschoolers, for sure.

Homeschool parents don’t have to have college degrees in education (or anything) to teach their children well.

I realize many families homeschool their kids for different reasons, with different styles, sometimes temporarily or for just a season, and maybe one child attends school while another in the household stay home. I may not understand some of this, but to each her own.

What I have to Say to a New Homeschooler:

How We Homeschool

I respect my kids. I trust my kids.

Children can make their own decisions. They can teach themselves.

My Top 5 for Successful Homeschooling

Focus

Relationships

Life Skills

Experiences

Foundation

Our Favorite Homeschool Resources

How long have you been homeschooling?

Our list of favorite fall books.

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson

The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger

Leaves by David Ezra Stein

The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson

Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka

Autumnblings: Poems and Paintings by Douglas Florian

Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh

Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth by Jane Yolen

The Scarecrow’s Dance by Jane Yolen

Fall Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow

Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant

The Scarecrow’s Hat by Ken Brown

The Apple Cake by Nienke van Hichtum

Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip by Elsa Beskow