I attended public school and if you looked at my grades, you’d think I was pretty successful at it. However, I remember almost nothing from my history courses. That may be a reflection on my attention span at that time or my teachers. Nevertheless, one unique historical memory I recall is that the Renaissance was taught as a time period where man moved away from God and discovered himself. When we started writing Epi Kardia, I was concerned about incorporating this time period material because of my own limited, and somewhat stereotyped knowledge. However, now God has shown me the truth of His elegant history, of His generous gifts bestowed upon men and of His revelation that church is not necessarily synonymous with Lord.

Renaissance, a time of enlightenment and beauty, brought out not only artistic light and color after a long dark period, but also opened men’s minds to what church was and what it should be. October 31^st, has significant historical precedence, and Halloween has nothing to do with it. It was on this date that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door. His writing caused an explosion within the community that previously hadn’t been seen since men dared to declare Jesus as Lord. With these theses, Luther revealed truths about men, not God. He condemned those in the church taking advantage of the average man, who was unable at the time to even read the Word of God. So, this October, let us celebrate the audacity of a monk who valued his faith over his religion and glorify our God who gave us the artistic beauty, astounding scientific discoveries and the His truth revealed during this time period.

There are some outstanding children’s books about the Renaissance/Reformation time period. You can find all of these books in our Complete Daily Lesson Plans in various grades as noted below.

Galileo by Leonard Everett Fisher (1st grade, 3rd grade) – Although out of print, this book is readily available used. Fisher not only writes, but illustrates this concise and interesting life story of Galileo. His expression-filled black and white illustrations seem larger than life. He also includes a valuable map.

Leonardo and the Flying Boy (Anholt’s Artists Books for Children) by Lawrence Anholt (1st grade, 3rd grade) – Based on documented accounts of Leonardo da Vinci’s apprentices, this entertaining book offers a delightful way to expose younger children to Leonardo’s works. It is unusual in that it’s not a straight biography as is typical of children’s historical books. Anholt’s illustrations captivate young imaginations as well.

Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed The World by Paul Maier (2nd grade) – our second grade curriculum is currently in development, but this book will definitely be featured. Picture books about Luther are rare and this one is beautiful!

William Shakespeare & the Globe (Trophy Picture Books) by Aliki (3rd grade) – this book focuses less on Shakespeare as a person, and more on his plays and theatre. Creatively written as a play of five acts, Aliki weaves Shakespearean quotes, timelines and vocabulary with gorgeous illustrations!

I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino (3rd grade, middle school) – Dana loves this book! The story, beautifully written, is told in autobiographical form from the perspective of a talented slave who serves painter Diego Valazquez. Juan discovers that he too is talented but due to laws governing slaves, he cannot be a painter in his own right. This Newberry Award winning book will captivate younger readers as a listening book and enthrall older students as an independent reader.

Leonardo da Vinci by Diane Stanley (4th grade) – Diane Stanley, one of our favorite writers and illustrators, honestly portrays da Vinci from birth through adulthood and incorporates both his artistic and his scientific accomplishments. Her intricate illustrations are integrated with miniatures of da Vinci’s work. It is definitely designed for older elementary students as some of the content is challenging. We also utilize many other Stanley books such as Michelangelo,  Good Queen Bess : The Story of Elizabeth I of England,  Joan of Arc and Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare.

The River of Grace: The Story of John Calvin by Joyce McPherson (Middle School)- this unique and well written biography of Calvin is a must have for every homeschool library. Beginning with Calvin’s early years and working through his work as a significant leader in the Protestant Reformation. Although written on a middle school level, anyone could benefit from reading this outstanding biography.

Happy reading!

In Christ,

The idea of writing about books is not new –remember those boring book reports (snore!) we had to write? However, writing a book review of a well-loved, exciting book in order to convince someone else to read it is much easier to sell and much more fun to write.  For some students, posting the review on Amazon.com afterward makes it even more enticing!  This lesson is excerpted from the Ancients unit of our Middle School-1 lesson plans but could be adapted for younger or older students:

(Note: for many students, especially younger ones, it is very helpful to talk through the answers to these questions ahead of time. Either the student and/or teacher may take notes for the student to use when actually writing the review.)

1.  The first paragraph should be an introductory paragraph, including the title of the book and the author’s name. This should be followed by a few overview sentences stating why another student would want to read the book.  (i.e., It was one of the most exciting stories…/…had one of my favorite characters/…had an inspirational ending/…was about my favorite subject or period of history, etc.)

2. The next paragraph should tell what the story is about and include the main conflict, or problem, of the story.  (An example from the book Hittite Warrior: A young Hittite, Uriah, makes a promise on his father’s death bed and has to travel alone to foreign lands in search of a man named Sisera, whom Uriah hopes will take him in.)

3.  In the following paragraph, your student should tell about his favorite parts of the book. A few incidents will be enough–caution him about writing down too many parts or going into too much detail here.

4.  The last paragraph should include the main message of the book and should restate what the book meant to him or what he learned from reading it. Your student may want to add one final statement about why someone else would want to read this book.

Additional points:

For more ideas about teaching writing, review our Reluctant Writer series.

Happy Writing!

Dana

Happy New Year to all of you and thank you so much for being with us through this journey of curriculum design, blog writing and all around Christian home school living! I had originally planned to share a blog with you about some of my favorite "school" authors, but God decided otherwise. Knowing that His path is always best, I will veer from my book blogs and share with you some things that He has placed on my heart.

I must begin where I do so often…with a book. In this particular case, it is Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. I have a select number of books that I read periodically because I believe that a single or even second reading is not enough to penetrate my overloaded mind. This book is one of those particular reads. It has been almost two years since I last read this book and God drew me back to it with the New Year. To be honest, I really should give the book back to my dear friend, Denise, who loaned it to me a long time ago (Thank you, friend!). I was actually putting together some things to return to her when I came across the book again. I will certainly have to find my own copy soon because it’s very difficult not to highlight in her book!

This is not really a book review but as I was reading Eldredge’s many profound thoughts, I discovered one that may be obvious to many of you, but touched my heart with renewed freshness. It all began with this partial paragraph:

I turned to the New Testament to have another look, read for myself what it said he [Jesus] offers. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10) Wow. That’s different from saying, "I have come to forgive you. Period." Forgiveness is awesome, but Jesus says here he came to give us life.

Then Eldredge goes on to point out verse after verse representing this same theme including: Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 16:11; John 1:4, 5:40, 7:38 and Acts 5:20. He notes that we so often speak of eternal life as something that comes later. He writes:

I began to get the feeling of a man who’s been robbed. I’m well aware that it’s life I need, and it’s life I’m looking for. But the offer has gotten "interpreted" by well-meaning people to say, "Oh, well. Yes, of course…God intends life for you. But that is eternal life, meaning, because of the death of Jesus Christ you can go to heaven when you die."

A few sentences later, Eldredge asks the following question:

What did Jesus mean when he promised us life?

He refers us to a couple of verses, Psalm 27:13 and Luke 18:19-20. The latter struck my heart as if I had never read it before, although it was quite familiar to me at the same time.

"I will tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come, eternal life."

And if you would allow me just one more verse, Paul tells us, as Eldredge points out,

Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and life to come. (1Timothy 4:8)

Eldredge points out that eternal means "unending," not "later." Really? My initial response was surprise and then outright excitement. My eternal life has already begun?! I am not just biding my time on this earth waiting around for it, but it is here and it is now! Beth Moore, the renowned woman’s Bible Study author and teacher, makes the same point in her series on John, My Beloved Disciple.

I have always thought that this life, while I want to enjoy it and make the most of it, was little more than a brief interlude before getting to the good stuff in heaven. I really bought into the whole idea of being a sojourner and not a citizen of this world. While that may be true, God does not expect me to just wade through this world of sin and hurt avoiding hardship. He expects me to leave the mark of Christ wherever I go and with whomever I share this journey. He also expects me to remember that I am living eternally and everything I say and do is for that eternity. It is my life as a whole, not an earthly life and a heavenly life. Granted, heavenly life will be much sweeter, but there is great joy to be gained by living for Christ right here, right now.

More than my own life, I began to reflect on what I have taught my children. Have I taught them to just get through this age waiting for an eternal life? Am I modeling a life lived in constant awareness of eternity and my role in that eternity? Do I treat today as a part of my entire life or am I always looking toward the future without realizing the potential of this day? Tough questions!

One of the glories of home schooling stems from our ability to influence our children more fully. It’s also one of the great responsibilities. I honestly believe that their observance of our daily actions has a much greater affect on them than anything we tell them. I have a friend who said that she couldn’t home school because she couldn’t imagine her children seeing her all of the time, in every situation.

Are there things I can do each day, as I live my life, to reflect my faith in an eternal salvation? I believe so. Some ideas that come to mind include:

• Celebrating the blessings and the trials in Christ - although a common refrain amongst believers, I still struggle with celebrating trials. Logically, I understand that I will grow during such times, but man, it’s a challenge! Celebrating the blessings can be a little bit of a difficulty, as well. Okay, it’s not the celebrating that’s tough, but sometimes I do forget to give the credit to my Lord and Savior!
• Loving everyone – Now, that’s a tall order! And yet, after loving God, it is Christ’s second command. Some people are just so easy to love and yet others…but God has truly been changing my heart in this area. He reminds me that some of these "difficult" personalities will be spending eternity with me. He has challenged me to draw nearer to those whom I would normally run from hard and fast! My heart is actively changing to not only notice others I might have previously ignored, but also to treat them as any child of God should be treated. I have to tell you that in the process, I am noticing the difference in my own outlook and coming to realize more and more how unworthy I am and how gracious God is to me!
• Responding rather than Reacting – it is so easy to be offended in this world. A simple billboard, Internet pop up or television ad can set me off if I let it. I even find myself being offended for total strangers when they’re mistreated by sales clerks and such. God is teaching me to prayerfully consider such things and to let His Word be my guide, rather than my emotions. At times, I even mess it up when I do refer to His Word because I allow my emotions to do the interpreting. But it’s a lesson I am working on and I always feel like progress is inevitable if you keep trying!
• Praying continually – I am one busy woman and prayer takes time! But it is time well spent and stopping to speak with the Lord is never a moment wasted. I have found that the more I pray, the more inclined I am to pray. It becomes a spiritual habit to turn to God and His voice seems so much clearer these days. My own health is so improved by prayer. Not only my spiritual health, but also my emotional and physical health is positively affected by calming my soul and speaking with my Father. 

I don’t expect that any of the above is new to you. However, if you’re like me, there can’t be too many reminders. I encourage each of you to put on your eternal glasses and view life as a neverending process, with each day you growing in your walk with the Lord and modeling so others may do so as well. Thank you for encouraging me with your words and for taking the time to read the ramblings of a woman who has discovered her life is not ending, and that it’s only just in its early stages!

Lord, I pray that you will keep me eternally minded. I ask that you help me to influence others in seeing their own impact on eternity. Thank you for beginning my new eternal life at my salvation and allowing me the opportunity to truly live on this earth while I exist here. Help me, Father, to do your Will and let my daily living reflect my eternal heart and love for You. I know it is only through Your grace and Your Son’s death that I am saved to live eternally. In Your blessed and holy name, Amen.

God’s blessings on you and your family,

Beth

Happy 2009, Everyone!

If you have been following our blog, you know we have one more book to give away.  Due to everyone’s desire to focus on our families and on the holidays in December, we decided to save our last book for the new year.  If you are visiting our blog for the first time, we are referring to our Christmas Book Give-away.  We have given away at least one book a week for the month of December. To be considered for a free book, all you have to do is subscribe to our mailing list and make a comment on our blog.  Please keep checking back to see what book we will be giving away this month!  In the meantime, we hope you enjoy Dana’s review of the book below.

Have a wonderful week!

Beth

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

“What you are holding in your hands right now is a challenging book for teens by teens who believe our generation is ready for a change. Ready for something that doesn’t promise a whole new life if you’ll just buy the right pair of jeans or use the right kind of deodorant. We believe our generation is ready to rethink what teens are capable of doing and becoming. And we’ve noticed that once wrong ideas are debunked and cleared away, our generation is quick to choose a better way, even if it’s also more difficult.”

Thus opens the book Do Hard Things: a Teenage Rebellion against Low Expectations, written by Alex and Brett Harris, forward by Chuck Norris. If those names sound familiar, it is because the authors are the 19 year old twin sons of well-known homeschool veterans Gregg and Sono Harris, and younger brothers of popular author Joshua Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye). This book lays the groundwork for understanding The Rebelution – a term coined by the twins (combining the words “revolution” and “rebellion”) to define a “rebellion against low expectations.”

Their insightful premise states that our culture has bought into the deception that teens are helpless, weak, irresponsible individuals, incapable of caring for anyone but themselves. They assert, as most fellow homeschoolers believe, that “the teen years are not a vacation from responsibility,” but instead “they are the training ground of future leaders who dare to be responsible now.” They exhort teens as well as adult Christians to be an effective countercultural force by truly living as salt and light in the world: by having Christ-like character, by a commitment to competency in their endeavors, and by their willingness to work in collaboration with other like-minded believers.

Not only do the authors feature accounts of several amazing teens who accomplished phenomenal, large-scale projects, but the Harris twins bring the concepts down to earth by also sharing stories of ‘normal’ teens who have chosen to stand apart from the stereotypical norms with smaller scale endeavors. This section includes a helpful, easy-to-understand list of principles that are recommended as a beneficial place to start self-examination before crafting one’s own action plan. Additionally, the Harris twins walk us through this process by sharing a few teens’ stories as well as their strategies to become ‘rebelutionaries.’

My favorite chapter describes accomplishing “Small Hard Things.” (Every mommy can relate: these are the things done behind closed doors that are often tedious, mundane, repeated constantly and don’t come with accolades or recognition.) As we know, often it is these small disciplines that have to be mastered before we are ready for the “big” things. The twins encourage teens to first identify those “small” things in their lives and to take control of them before launching into the larger-scale projects.

This challenging book is peppered with scripture, encouragement and simple strategies to help identify and deal with stumbling blocks in our teens (and our) lives and describes principles to adopt to help us accomplish more for Christ’s kingdom. The book ends with a very clear and compelling presentation of the gospel.

I recommend this book, especially for those teens who are likely to respond best to peer encouragement. Check here for more information!

May God bless your transition back to school!

Stephanie, from South Carolina, won the fantastic book and CD, A Child’s Introduction to Poetry! Thanks so much for commenting, Stephanie, and let us know how you like using your new book! If you haven’t won a book in Epi Kardia Christmas Give Away, there’s still time, so make sure you comment after you read this blog. In Beth’s current blog, you’ll discover books to teach the classics, even if you have children of varying ages. By subscribing to our mailing list on the right sidebar and making a comment on this blog by Sunday, December 14th, you’ll automatically be entered in this week’s give away of the anniversary edition of a real classic. Keep on reading!

Many blessings,
Dana

  _____________________________________________________________

My high school American Literature students just finished reading The Last of the Mohicans.  This classic was written by James Fenimore Cooper, a man known as the first American novelist. We read the unabridged version which is quite lengthy and very detailed in both description and story line. The 480 pages caused my students to groan initially, but I knew they would get through it and be better students for it! After finishing the novel, we decided to watch the movie and compare the two. Unfortunately, the movie greatly disappointed all of us as it didn’t follow the plot of the book and left out many significant scenes. One of my students, Robert, who isn’t known for his love of reading, said something that I believe neither he nor I expected, "Mrs. Harrell, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think the book was much better than the movie." The incredulous look on Robert’s face was amusing, but his comment made plowing through the lengthy book worth all of the effort!

At the same time as Robert suffered through reading the unabridged version, his younger sister, Katelyn, read the Classic Starts chapter book version. Although much less valuable in content, the introduction to this classic paved the way for Katelyn’s later experience. That’s the glory of the multiple versions of classics now available - they may not be incredibly well written or profoundly presented, especially compared to the original, but they do offer a simpler introduction and provide confidence for later reading. As well, when you have multi-age children, the different versions allow for discussion among different grade levels which can greatly increase comprehension and enjoyment. If you have an older student struggling with comprehending a full version of a classic, audio books and/or younger books may be a positive stepping stone.

I’ve compiled the following list of classics with a variety of versions. For those versions with DVDs noted, I’ve shared my opinion if I’ve seen the movie. I would strongly recommend previewing any others. Note that these lists are not all inclusive as publishers continually present new versions, particularly amongst younger chapter books and picture books.

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper - This book seems like a good place to start!  The unabridged version, while lengthy, offers a wonderful adventure and very interesting characters. You’ll need to wade through some detailed description, but the historical setting, the French and Indian Wars, is unique. Other versions of this classic include:

Oversized Picture book (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) with additional author Timothy Meis. I absolutely love that Meis took the initiative to create this vivid and memorable picture book!

 
 
Classic Starts – shorter chapter book appropriate for 2nd – 5th graders. Although not deep in content, this book presents an initial overview that students can read by themselves.

 Marvel Illustrated – this would probably appeal to middle school and early high school boys with 184 pages and Marvel comic illustrations. I thought this was a unique presentation!

 
 Classic Collection Audio book – for audio learners or multi-taskers! Although, I do believe all of the description might be more challenging to listen to than to read. I think the picture is more vivid when you read the words.
   

DVD – This is an absolute non-example of maintaining book integrity in a movie. It was disappointing that the story line barely resembled the book’s adventurous plot! You might enjoy the movie, but not based on its relationship to the book.

DVD (BBC Masterpiece Theatre mini-series) – I only discovered this version while writing this blog, so please comment if you’ve seen it. Typically, BBC Masterpiece Theatre follows the book content closely. I may have to ask for this for Christmas! 

Heidi by Johanna Spyri - This classic isn’t overly difficult in the unabridged version and could certainly appeal to a reader as young as middle school, especially girls. To get started with a different version, consider:

 
The Story of Heidi published by Usborne Young Reading Gift Books – hardcover book ideal for ages 8 and under.   

Read and Listen books – appropriate for elementary students.

 
 
DVD – older version with Shirley Temple. The movie is cute, a typical Shirley Temple presentation, but generally follows the story line.

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss – I read this book aloud to my children during the evening. Although the story has some fun adventure, the dialogue can be challenging and it took a while to get through the book. There is a strong Biblical emphasis in the original that isn’t always stressed in other versions.

Stepping Stone book – early reader chapter book. Again, not overly stimulating but at least a child can read it as a first experience.

Classic collection audio book – in case you don’t want to read it aloud yourself! The language in this book is lovely and you’ll appreciate it on the audio version. 

Classic Disney Film – originally released in 1960, an enjoyable family treat created before Disney became politically correct.

The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson – a television series from 2005. I never watched this program, so please comment if you have! I’d be interested in knowing if it’s worth the

Beowulf by Seamus Heaney – an ancient, violent adventure, this story usually appeals to young men. Actually a poem (a lengthy poem!) and originally written in 7th to 10th century Anglo Saxon language, a bilingual version with a side by side translation to English works best for adults and older students. The original language is fun to read and to try to translate, but would be extremely frustrating for most people. Some other versions include:

Picture book by James Rumford – not as violent to make it appropriate for older elementary aged children at 48 pages in length. I found it fascinating although a sensitive child might have issues. Be sure to preview visually!

The Hero Beowulf by Eric Kimmel and illustrated by Leonard Everett Fisher – best for ages 9 and up. I do love Leonard Everett Fisher’s illustrations!

DVD – rated PG-13 and noted for violent scenes. I haven’t personally viewed the film, but would love to hear comments from others who have!

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson – yes, this is the poet who created my favorite childhood poem, featured in the last blog. Stevenson also wrote exciting and adventurous books that most kids love. Check out these other versions:

Hardcover version with amazing illustrations by Robert Ingpen – ideal for ages 9 and up at 192 pages. A vivid, exciting presentation of the book!

A Young Reader’s Edition of the Classic Adventure – includes some original illustrations by N.C. Wyeth, one of the greatest illustrators of classic literature. Although the illustrations aren’t ideally presented, they may entice your child to explore Wyeth more. He also painted scenes from The Last of the Mohicans.  The book is 48 pages long.

Hear It, Read It – a full text version CD version that would be appropriate for late elementary students to adults.

DVD – Disney version released in 1950, a safe version of a classic adventure for the entire family!

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – due to the adult content (a black man is accused of raping a white woman), there isn’t a younger version of this book. However, Lee’s presentation and writing style handles the storyline in a delicate and tender manner. The main characters, two children and their father, invite you in immediately and when the story ends, you feel like you’ve become friends with the whole family. I really appreciate this book in so many ways that I’ve made its 40th anniversary hardcover publication our free give away book this week!

There is also a DVD version, with the classic Gregory Peck, released in 1962 which I highly recommend as it follows the book’s plot, with a few exceptions. Gregory Peck gives one of his best performances. This is a must read for every high schooler and any adult who made it through high school without reading it!

 I hope you find these classics a welcome edition to your home school library, no matter which version you choose. Be sure to leave a comment on this blog by December 14th and automatically enter yourself in a drawing for the hardcover 40th Anniversary Edition of To Kill a Mockingbird!

Happy reading and blessings on your Christmas holiday!

Beth

Congratulations to our first winner of the Epi Kardia Christmas Book Give Away, Kristin from North Carolina, who won the drawing for The Perfect Mix by Diane Phillips!  As well, for commenting on Our Favorite Christmas Books blog post and having her name drawn, Angie from Illinois won a hard back copy of the beautiful children’s book,Christmas Day in the Morning. Keep those comments coming! Besides entering you in the next drawing, they are a real blessing to us! Subscribe to our mailing list on the sidebar at right and make a comment on the blog by Saturday, November 29th to enter our this weeks’ drawing.  Read below to see the two books we are giving away this week!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving,

Dana

                     ————————————————————————————————————————–

Have you ever been to the library and noticed that some of the children’s books have medals embossed on the front covers? For those of you who don’t know, these books are award winners. The two most common awards for children’s books are the Newbery Medal, for excellent writing, and the Caldecott Medal, for outstanding illustrations.

The Newbery Medal was the first award for children’s literature in the world and is named after John Newbery, an 18th century book seller. The first medal was awarded in 1922 to Hendrik Willem van Loon for his book, The Story of Mankind. Today, the committee that awards the medal is made up of school and public librarians. According to the American Library Association (ALA), the goal of the award is "To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. To emphasize to the public that contributions to the literature for children deserve similar recognition to poetry, plays, or novels. To give those librarians, who make it their life work to serve children’s reading interests, an opportunity to encourage good writing in this field."

The Caldecott Medal "shall be awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States during the preceding year. The award shall go to the artist, who must be a citizen or resident of the United States, whether or not he be the author of the text. Any book published in the preceding year shall be eligible to be considered for either award or both awards" according to the ALA. Originally the Newbery committee also selected the Caldecott winners beginning in 1937, but for the 1980 medals, two separate committees were formed. The Caldecott Medal was created in honor of Randolph Caldecott, a 19th century children’s book illustrator and the engraving on the medal is taken from one of Caldecott’s books.Both medals designate honor books that didn’t win the actual award, but are considered honorable mentions.

While there isn’t room in a single blog to review all of the medal winners, I’ve selected some of our favorites, in hope of helping you narrow down your own selection. Award winning books make wonderful gifts and family keepsakes! As well, we use a large number of these books in Epi Kardia Curriculum, particularly the Newbery medal winners, in many different grade levels. So peruse our choices and let us know your favorites as well!

Newbery Medal

These books can all be found in various grade levels of Epi Kardia curriculum.

I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Bordon de Trevino (1965) - This book, written in the form of an autobiography, portrays the interesting and intense story of a slave who becomes an artist. After a challenging start, Juan ends up working with Diego Velazquez, a favorite of the Spanish court under King Philip IV. The two become devoted friends allowing Juan an insider’s view of the life of this acclaimed artist. The dialogue and descriptive writing create an enjoyable and historical story.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1990) – I will never forget listening to this book on tape with my daughter, Ally, while we were traveling. It was just the two of us and I had to pull my car over at one point because I was crying! Based on a true story, this is the account of one Danish family who took in the Jewish friend of their daughter and hid her until her family could escape from the Nazis. Lowry writes with such a poignant voice that you’re drawn into the true courage of the people during WWII who risked their lives for others. One of my favorite books of all time, I recommend it to anyone, especially those families with girls ages 8-12.

 The Bronze Bow (1962) and The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1959) by Elizabeth George Speare – These books are both featured in Epi Kardia curriculum, not only for their wonderful relevance to history, but also because of Speare’s tremendous writing ability. Her characters seem so real that you feel like you’ve made new friends and are sad to see them go when the books end. I remember reading The Bronze Bow to my daughter and three other young ladies that I helped home school. Each day, they would work so hard to get to reading time because they couldn’t wait to continue the story. Some days, I read aloud for more than an hour because they didn’t want me to stop. These are the books that help you instill a real love of literature in your children from the early years!

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes (1944) – Although not as ill-behaved, I do believe Johnny Tremain is as well known as Tom Sawyer! The story takes place during the American Revolution and you get to watch Johnny mature as he becomes more involved in the war effort. Boys love having a character their own age who chooses to be in the middle of the fray! Written during a time when children were still considered to be children, Forbes treats the time period and storyline with dignity while maintaining an exciting plot. Definitely in the top three works of fiction that every student should read by middle school.

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray (1943) – This entertaining story presents an historical picture not often seen in literature: the world of the traveling bards during the Middle Ages. With vivid characters and great descriptive adventure, this tale tracks an eleven-year-old boy who is kidnapped and must hunt for his father and his dog. Along the way, he learns many life lessons. Gray is sensitive in her content, but doesn’t let the fact that this is a children’s book slow the story down for a minute.

Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith (1958) – Horn Book magazine calls this novel "the best Civil War fiction for young people." It is certainly among the best! One of the unique qualities about this book is it’s presentation of both sides of the war. As well, it covers the Western campaign, which is not commonly the setting of Civil War novels. Stand Watie, the key historical figure in the novel, was the leader of the Cherokees and a brigadier general in the Confederate Army. Harold Keith, the author, grew up in Cherokee country and his obvious love for history became apparent when he interviewed over 20 Civil War veterans and spent five years writing this book. Boys and girls alike will appreciate the action and adventure! You will appreciate that your children are learning and enjoying it!

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Lamath (1956) – Nathaniel Bowditch, a true historical figure, created nautical navigation advancements that changed the sailing world. Written as a novel, the story of Nat’s life is fascinating to many children. Longing for the life of a sailor, but being physically too small, Nat found another way to dedicate himself to the high seas! The quality of writing and the historical accuracy make this a must have classic!

Caldecott Medal

Saint George and the Dragon written by Margaret Hodges and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (1985) – Adapted from the much longer classic, The Faerie Queen, this is one of those wonderful books that introduces literature to younger children in a big way. Hyman’s award winning illustrations with vibrant colors and amazing details will keep even the brightest child interested! This is one of those books that children love to look at again and again.

Abraham Lincoln written and illustrated by Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire (1940) – Despite the fact that this book was written almost 70 years ago, the content is as relevant and easy to read today as ever. The D’Aulaires present a well rounded, unbiased version of Lincoln’s life with unique illustrations. They use the illustrations to tell the story as much as the words. As Lincoln grows in text, he does the same in art. As he ages in text, you begin to notice the changes in the artwork details. Oversized and larger than life, this book, as well as others written and illustrated by the D’Aulaires, will appeal to children from very young to older elementary.

Ox-Cart Man written by Donald Hall and illustrated by and illustrated by Barbara Cooney (1980) – The simplicity of the artwork in this book for young children seems rather old world today. I was shocked when I realized that it was a more modern Caldecott Medal winner! It presents an honest and picturesque representation of 19th century farm life in New England. The details make an excellent introduction to rural living for little ones. The text, although not actually poetry, flows as if it is.

Grandfather’s Journey written and illustrated by Allen Say (1994) – This beautifully illustrated version of an immigrant’s path to the United States is based on the author’s grandfather, who came from Japan. The sepia tones and muted coloring remind one of actual aged photographs. It is clear that Say loves both the land of his birth and the land of his adulthood. As with all excellent children’s books, his writing is simplistic and dramatic at the same time. This book makes a useful source for copy work with its direct prose.

The Glorious Flight written and illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen (1984) – This enthralling story of Louis Bleriot, a Frenchman who built and flew a plane across the English Channel, provides children with the great adventures involved in the history of flight. Again, sepia toned illustrations tie the straightforward and specific text with the time period. The basic structure of the characters in the illustrations appeal to children as they seem almost child designed themselves. The blending of colors creates a realistic backdrop for an amazing historical event.

Rapunzel illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky (1998) – Zelinsky spent a great deal of time and energy researching the origins of this fable, so this retelling provides a very traditional perspective in the prose. Many modern retellings of fairy tales have a politically correct twist; not so with Zelinsky. Even with this excellent retelling, the artwork really steals the show. Rapunzel’s golden locks make every young lady (and maybe even her mother) long to grow their hair. The illustrations are mindful of classic Renaissance paintings with full expressions and rich colors. Even the lighting astounds the eye, seeming realistic. Beware! You may cry when Rapunzel’s glorious trendels are shorn, but don’t worry, the story ends as it should. 

 Related activity: There are a multitude of wonderful books, whether it’s the writing or the illustrations, that never receive an award. Have your children design medals to give to your favorite books. You could give medals for writing and illustrations, but other ideas may also come to mind including books that demonstrate Christ and friendship books. Let your children design the medals on paper then you can adhere the designs to foil covered cardboard circles. If you don’t want to stick the medals right on the book fronts, you can punch a hole in each medal and tie ribbon through it, then have your children use the medals as bookmarks. If your child writes a "book" of his own, it’s a great opportunity to encourage him and create a medal just for his book.  

For a complete listing of the Caldecott and Newbery Medals, you can visit the American Library Association (ALA) at www.ala.org.      

We’d love to hear about your favorite Caldecott and Newbery books. If you comment with a title, be sure to let us know why you or your child prefer that particular book. Remember, by commenting on this blog, you are automatically entered in the drawing for our next book give away. You need to comment by November 29th in order to enter the next drawing. The winner of that drawing will actually receive two Newbery Medal books: Johnny Tremain and Number the Stars!

Now it’s time to get a cup of hot tea, gather your children around and take off on your next reading adventure! God bless you and your family during this Thanksgiving holiday!

In Christ,

Beth

Some of my most precious Christmas memories revolve around books. Every year, my Mom would unpack her Reader’s Digest collection of Christmas stories and place it on the coffee table. Every year, I would pick up the heavy, hardbound anthology and read it as if I had never read it before. I also had a well worn copy of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and I don’t think a movie version was ever made that rivaled my imagination, which swirled with a combination of frightening images and tender vignettes as Scrooge learned to love and be loved. However, the hands down favorite for me was my father retelling of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. My father is not a great lover of literature, being much more concerned with science and facts, but for some reason O. Henry’s irony held Dad captive. To this day, it is my favorite O.Henry story and I will never forget how romantic the couple’s sacrificial love seemed to me as an adolescent girl.

Imaginatively illustrated, simply written children’s picture books can create cherished family memories as well as prized gifts. If you’re looking for some new story treasures for your family, consider some of these favorites. You can purchase them from Amazon by simply clicking the links at the end of the blog:

• Shoemaker Martin written by Leo Tolstoy, illustrated by Bernadette Watts - This picture book actually became one of my favorites after I had my own children, even though it was originally written in the 1800s. The author, Tolstoy, also wrote the most acclaimed novel ever published, War and Peace, and yet, later in life became a Christian and wrote this beloved short story. With the focus on Christ, it’s an ideal story for Christmas although it’s not generally known as a holiday book. Tolstoy’s main point, as presented in this picture book, that Jesus reveals Himself through us in every day life isn’t overly challenging for a young child to understand and yet, it’s an excellent stepping stone for a mature discussion of how the things we do, as believers, affect everyone around us. The illustrations in this particular version are detailed and captivating while the text, translated from Russian, maintains its simplistic story telling quality.
•  The Gift of the Magi written by O. Henry – O. Henry is another one of those late 1800s story tellers, although he wrote mainly about American life. As I previously noted, this short story holds a special place in my childhood memories. We didn’t have the picture books, when I was a child, now available with their glorious original paintings. Both of the versions that I have read recently, one illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger and the other by P.J. Lynch, are very comparable in their presentations. P.J. Lynch, one of my absolute favorite illustrators (you will see the name several times in this blog alone) and his soft, but realistic paintings almost tell the story on their own. It’s no wonder that Lynch is a two time winner of the prestigious Kate Greenaway award. Yet, Zwerger’s tender illustrations in this particular book actually seem to give off the romantic gaslight qualities of the time period in which the story was written. You’ll have to make the decision or better yet, buy them both!
• We Believe in Christmas written by Karen Kingsbury and illustrated by Daniel J. Brown - This modern picture is ideally suited for younger children. The text clearly expresses one family’s reasons for celebrating Christmas, rather than "the holiday season." The vivid illustrations with bright colors and a realistic presentation make it easy for younger children to understand. Related Christmas activity: Make a book with your children revealing why your family believes in Christmas. Focus on what your family does each holiday season and how your traditions relate to your family’s belief in Christ and celebrating His birth. It could be as simple as pages stapled together where you write main ideas on each page and your children illustrate them. For a more sophisticated project, an older child could design the book on the computer.
• The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski and illustrated by P.J. Lynch – Along a similar, but less dark, story line as A Christmas Carol, this is the tale of a reclusive, yet talented, wood cutter who comes to life after being asked to create a Christmas nativity for a mom and her young son. One of my favorite qualities of this story is the flowing language that the author uses including when she describes Toomey, "He went about mumbling and grumbling, muttering and sputtering, grumping and griping." More creative phraseology occurs when Wojciechowski expresses, "He traveled until his tears stopped." As usual, Lynch’s illustrations bring life and feeling to the sentimental story with vibrant details including a wood tone shading to match the main character’s gifted profession.
• The Gift of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Jesus’ Birth written by Dandi Mackall and illustrated by Deborah Chabrian – In this story, a depression era mother shares a family tradition with her son, Jack. The tradition involves baking cookies and giving them to others to share the story of Christ. When Jack receives an angel cookie as his only Christmas gift, he decides to give it to a stranger and share what he believes. Illustrations of warm watercolors appropriately accompany this simple, but essential story and the author even includes a Christmas cookie recipe. Related Christmas activity: Make Christmas cookies of angels and other Christian symbols to take to a homeless shelter, children’s hospital, orphanage or other institution where children can enjoy them while you and your family share this sweet book. You could also leave your copy of the book for the children to read repeatedly.
• A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens and illustrated by P.J. Lynch – Yes, another book illustrated by Lynch!  I would recommend this book for older children due to the seriousness of some of the illustrations. Although the illustrations are darker in places than his other books, this particular story requires them at certain points to maintain the integrity of the original plot.
• Christmas Day in the Morning written by Pearl S. Buck and illustrated by Mark Buehner – Pearl S. Buck is best known as the author of the classic novel, The Good Earth. This is the first time this story has been published in picture book version since its original conception in 1055 as a short story. Its realistic human qualities feature a teenage boy suddenly discovering how much his father loves him. With that realization, the son works to come up with a gift that his father will truly appreciate. A tie in with the nativity moves this story from a simple feel good plot to the real reason behind Christmas. With sincere expression and homey illustrations, this book is sure to become an inspiration for many children to honor their parents in practical and helpful ways.                                                                                                                                                                                   

I hope that my reviews of these favorites provide you with a tool for choosing some new Christmas books for your family and save you some shopping time this holiday season. Our free book give away for this week is a hard cover version of Christmas Day in the Morning, valued at $16.99 retail. All you have to do is submit a comment on this blog by Sunday, November 23rd, and you will automatically be entered in a drawing for this free gift. If you have a favorite Christmas book, please include it in your comment to share with other families.

If you haven’t already subscribed to our mailing list, please click here and subscribe at the bottom of the page — and then continue reading and commenting between now and Christmas to get your name in all of the drawings for free books from Epi Kardia’s book give away…our gift to you this Christmas season!  And don’t forget that those who subscribe (or resubscribe) to our new list by Novermber 14th will be entered in the drawing for another new book: The Perfect Mix by Diane Phillips!

Happy reading and many blessings,

Beth

Beth and I have been working on a series of blogs about books.  The titles of the posts that will be published over the next few weeks are: Our Favorite Holiday Titles, Classics for All Ages, Just for Fun, Keeping it Educational, Award Winning Books, Poetic Gift Giving, and Adored Anthologies. Additionally, we will be having a drawing to give away at least one book each week until Christmas especially selected with you and your family in mind. We’ll be sending out a beautiful hardcover picture book, an instructional poetry anthology, a homeschool mom’s devotional, and more! Keep reading to see how to participate!

These posts will include timeless gift suggestions for specified ages, ideal travel books and even ideas for precious projects that could be made by your kids for their grandparents for Christmas.  If you missed them, check out our first two already-published holiday posts in the series:  Holiday Alert! http://www.epikardia.com/blog/175/holiday-alert/and How to Choose a Treasured Children’s Book http://www.epikardia.com/blog/132/how-to-choose-a-treasured-childrens-book/.

So, how can you participate in our book give away?  We are asking you to do two things:

1.  Join our mailing list.  As we are switching to another newsletter service, we will need you to resubscribe, even if you are already a member of our list. To subscribe go to http://www.epikardia.com/free_downloads.html and fill out your name and e-mail address. You will receive a verification e-mail in your inbox and you will need to click on the link to verify your subscription.  EXTRA BONUS:  If you subscribe or resubscribe by Friday, November 21st, you will be entered into a drawing for The Perfect Mix:  90 Gift Giving Ideas for Bread, Soup, Dessert and Other Home-made Mixes, by Diane Philips! (read more about this useful and timely book in this post!)

2.  After you have subscribed to our mailing list:  for each week you would like to be included in the drawing, please read the post here on our blog and make a comment . That’s all you have to do!  We will choose a random name from our subscribers who comment on the blog each week to receive a free book!  (We will contact you for your mailing address and will mail –or deliver if you’re local– at no cost to you!)

When you join our mailing list, you will also receive two helpful e-book resources for your poetry studies as our gift, A Child’s Garden of Verses, by Robert Louis Stevenson, and the beautifully illustrated The Children’s Own Longfellow, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

We hope you will forward this post to your home schooling friends as well as any other homeschool loops to which you belong!

Join our new mailing list today and be looking for the titles of our first give-away this week!

 Some women collect jewelry, clothes, artwork, fine dishes, sentimental ceramic sculptures or even recipes. I, on the other hand, have been called a minimalist by my 20-year-old daughter because I don’t collect anything, keep my household simple (in hopes of avoiding physical clutter which also seems to clutter my mind) and really have never had the desire acquire many things. This has probably resulted from years of traveling around the country and being the person in charge of packing and moving. Over the years, however, I have grown to love books. I have become a bibliophile; I believe that’s the appropriate term. Funny enough, well designed children’s books often entice me, especially those with vibrant illustrations and endearing stories.

Books make ideal gifts for children for a variety of reasons including:

1. Durable – hardcover children’s books can usually take quite a beating and still be valuable. Now, thin plastic coating on covers makes their exteriors almost waterproof.

2. Affordable – many children’s books are not expensive and many can be acquired for under $10. If you consider that they’ll probably be read over and over, and help eliminate time watching television and playing computer games, their value increases. Planning ahead and purchasing books online can save you even more money.

3. Timeless – well written children’s stories retain their readability for years to come. If you have older children, think of the books that your children wanted you to read over and over. Make Way for Ducklings and Where the Wild Things Are immediately come to mind for my family. I still have both of those books in my personal library.

4. Can be personalized – Inscribing books, writing a note and dating your gift, makes it even more personal. I still have books that my parents gave me with my mother’s handwritten note in each. My mom is no longer with me on earth, but it’s so precious to have those personalized books to remind me of how much I am loved.

5. Teach values without being obvious - Every opportunity should be taken to share Biblical values and personal morals with our children. If it can be done with a fun, personal gift that will be used over and over, even better!

6.  Create quality time – as you read with your child, you’ll find that there’s no time better spent. The closeness derived from spending such time with your child is priceless.

7. Easy to wrap – Well, maybe this isn’t as important to some people as others, but I don’t enjoy wrapping odd-shaped gifts so anything square makes me happy! 

So, you’re beginning to think that children’s books make awesome gifts, but you’re not sure of where to start. At Epi Kardia, Dana and I have had tons of experience selecting children’s books. Over the years, we’ve developed some criteria to assist us in weeding out the chafe from the wheat that you might find helpful.

• Well illustrated – especially for younger children, illustrations can draw a child in or turn him away. Colorful illustrations are almost immediately attractive, but distinctively designed monotone or black/white illustrations can also hold a child’s attention. Distinctive style seems to matter most to children. For example, Make Way for Ducklings has simple, monotone illustrations, but they have a unique artistic quality that relates to the time period in which the book was originally illustrated. Without these unusual illustrations, the story just isn’t the same. For many children, I think this type of illustration is comforting. The Little Miss Spider series by David Kirk (see above) has amazing vibrant coloring and almost animated characters. The colors and attention to detail tell the story right along with the written words.  
• Quality Writing – as your child reads a book, the writing becomes an example of how books should be written. If the book has poor writing, it could be misleading to a child when you pursue teaching how to write. Exposure to quality written works can translate into stronger writing skills for your child. 
• Appropriate themes – we never consider books that have a theme disparaging God or promoting values that oppose Scripture, no matter how popular or beautiful the book may seem. The staying power of a book (my children both recited excerpts from many of their children’s books without being asked) means that the theme will educate your child whether you want it to or not. There are many books out there that don’t necessarily declare the story’s theme in the title. For example, Different Dragon, with it’s cute cover was written by a lesbian, presenting a main character child who has two moms. For my family, homosexuality is not a lifestyle that I want to promote. It’s important that you fully understand a story’s theme before you share it with your child.
• Timelessness – books that promote trends, such as the latest kids’ television character, are not typically timeless. Traditional stories, many presented in different unique ways, hold value that can hold a child’s attention for years. New stories can also hold a timeless quality if they’re written well and have a theme that spans the ages.

Beware! As you begin looking at children’s books, you may find yourself reliving your childhood and lose a lot of time rereading your favorites. In the days to come, watch for our book reviews to help you narrow down your choices as the holidays draw nearer. Hopefully, you’ll rediscover some childhood favorites and learn about some new "classics" that you and your child can read together.

God’s blessings and happy reading,

Beth

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Here we are, well into the first week of November already.  If you are like me, you had hoped to be a little further along with ‘holiday planning’ by now.  We are just starting to think about Thanksgiving, let alone Christmas!  I don’t know about you, but I like doing my holidays one at a time.  I want to spend time reading good books with my children about these special days and why they are significant. I want time to bake for the neighbors, time to choose well-thought out personal gifts for family, time to make cards, time to do a lot of things… but in seven weeks Christmas will be here.  Although this happens every year at the same time, somehow I am always surprised.  Why is that?

 In spite of the fact that I am running a bit behind normal this year, I am committing not to allow myself to go crazy and get drawn into the dreaded holiday vortex.  I am going to share a few of my holiday strategies with you, and I hope you will share some of your own with the rest of us!

1. Continue to have a regular, non-rushed quiet time with the Lord every morning.  Since I no longer have babies, I have the luxury of getting up before everyone else and spending some precious time in the Word.  Some things are more important than sleep! 
2. Make sure to follow a regular sleeping schedule.  This applies to parents as well as children!  It is tempting to stay up half the night to ‘catch up’ on holiday tasks, but it often leads to exhaustion, illness and short-tempers. 
3. Prioritize constantly and say no to some of the less important activities.  Plan your time so that all of a sudden you are not looking at the calendar saying, “We have an activity every night this week—how did that happen?”  (I say this from experience.)  One of the tools I have come across to help with the planning is the Holiday Planner for the Christian Family– by Sheri Graham.  This 140 + page e-book helps the reader focus on the Reason behind the season (including daily devotions in December) as well as offering MANY forms and ideas to assist us in completing the ample number of activities and tasks that need to be attended and completed without sacrificing the meanings behind them.  (I am a form junkie; I admit it.)
4. Make neighbor and friend gifts in quantity. Rather than making 10 different types of cookies, make a large quantity of homemade Mint Hot Chocolate Mix and/or Chocolate Truffle Pound Cake Mix and give that to everyone.  Vary your gift year to year.  My favorite resource for homemade gifts is a book I have had for years, The Perfect Mix: 90 Gift-giving Ideas for Bread, Soup, Dessert and Other Homemade Mixes, by Diane Philips.  I have yet to find a recipe in it that is not outstanding!  (Check book link below for more information.) 
5. Simplify gift-giving.  Is it time to start drawing names instead of getting every niece and cousin a separate gift?  How about setting a limit on gift prices?  Alternatively, family gifts are fun and generally can be purchased more cheaply than individual gifts.  
6. Give to others who are less fortunate.  Do you feel your family would benefit by receiving less and giving more?  Go together to purchase something from the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Catalog, participate in Project Angel Tree, serve at a soup kitchen, and/or take in a ‘single’ or two for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.  Holidays can be excruciatingly lonely for many people; look around your church and or neighborhood for those who could use some good food and fellowship.
7. Bargain shop online.  Ordering the bulk of your gifts at one or two places allows you to take advantage of lower or no shipping costs.  (And remember there is no shipping at Amazon.com once you have hit $25.)  And not only does Amazon offer books and music, but all kinds of products.
8. Look for gifts that dovetail with your homeschooling efforts.  Do you have a son interested in art?  How about a gift of Prismacolor Color Pencils and fine quality drawing paper?  A daughter who loves music?  Perhaps she would enjoy listening to authentic Revolutionary/Civil War music or a sampler of classical music.  How about a young engineer who is always asking how things work?  One of my favorite books, HowThings Work, by David Maccauley, provides abundant, easy to understand information including detailed, informative illustrations.

We would love to hear YOUR strategies for keeping the main thing the main thing this Christmas!  Additionally, we are going to be writing a short series of posts including some of our favorite books — beginning tomorrow! If you love books as we do and you are looking for educational gifts, we hope you will join us. 

In His Grace,

Dana

Add new tag Books! books for teens character-building Charlotte Mason Charlotte Mason Mondays Christian books Christian character Christian devotions Christian parenting Curriculum devotions with children Easter devotions Encouragement Epi Kardia home schooling curriculum Free Resources habit formation handwriting homeschooling homeschooling high school homeschooling middle school homeschooling teens Homeschool Research independent learning instilling good habits Lesson Plan lesson plans love poetry middle ages nature study online English classes online history classes Parenting/Homeschooling in General product review project-based learning public schools studies comparing public schooling and homeschooling Teaching Elementary teaching high school teaching independence Teaching Middle School teaching poetry Teaching Writing worksheets writing poetry

WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck and Luke Morton requires Flash Player 9 or better.

 

March 2010

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
« Feb
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28	29	30	31

Archives

• February 2010
• January 2010
• December 2009
• November 2009
• October 2009
• September 2009
• August 2009
• June 2009
• April 2009
• March 2009
• February 2009
• January 2009
• December 2008
• November 2008
• October 2008
• August 2008
• July 2008
• May 2008
• April 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• December 2007

Links

• Bible Gateway
• Penny Raine
• Tami Fox
• Tammy Cardwell
• The Bible Online

Followers on Twitter!

Check it Out!

Blog Carnival