Ms. Foster, in a narrative and an engaging style, offers the readers an overview of the events in 1776, not just in the United States, but also around the world. Three parts: The American Colonies, Artists & Scientists, and Around the World.
Ms. Foster's books are known as "horizontal history".
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
Mrs. Pepito focuses on outstanding men & women from history who were homeschooled for at least part of their lives to offer encouragement and principles to current homeschooling moms.
The individuals featured in this book are: Jesus, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Benjamin Franklin, Elizabeth Goudge, C.S. Lewis, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Blaise Pascal, Berthe Morisot, Booker T. Washington, & Joan of Arc. Mrs. Pepito highlights aspects of their education that we can emulate. At the end of each chapter she offers suggestions to reinforce the concept introduced plus additional books about the person or other ideas mentioned.
She promotes her business, The Peaceful Press, throughout the book. She also is a proponent of Charlotte Mason, whom she quotes & references often.
I thought this book would focus more on each person's life & their homeschool experience, not be a "how-to" book. It was NOT falsely advertised. I just arrived at that conclusion independently (or by not reading the summary carefully!). This book would be most useful for mothers with younger kids (junior high & younger).
*Highly recommend for mothers who are beginning to homeschool or who have years left to homeschool. Becoming more aware of historical figures who were homeschooled is my favorite feature of this book.
-I own this book.
A Field Trip Through Color
When was the word "orange" first mentioned? What is the word's origin? These questions and more will be addressed in this oversized picture book.
I thought its organization was lacking. Initially, the author presents orange's etmology. Then she discusses how to mix red/yellow to make orange. Then art featuring the color orange, fruit that has orange pigmentation, birds with orange markings, International Orange suits, structures that include orange. . . and other random facts. I perceive some subtle transitions but overall, I feel the organization is a bit disjointed/random. Maybe more artistic personalities will appreciate this format. My Type-A personality struggles with it. I, however, still enjoyed the book and the unique facts it presents!
-Borrowed from the library.
Mr. Rubin put a lot of thought and research into creating this book (even his explanation of his art and typeset in the fine print is humorous. The typeface reflects the subject matter-one used for scientific publications in the paleotology beginnings). His art and page layouts are engaging and carry significance.
Before the title page, Mr. Rubin is capturing the reader's attention. Mr. Rubin explains how the understanding of science and dinosours has transformed over time by following what different artists and scientists thought the iguanodon looked like.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
What a delightful story! In picture book format Ms. Milton shares a unique tidbit of history. In 1827 the pasha of Egypt, Muhammad Ali, sends a giraffe to the King Charles X of France to amend the strained relationship between their countries. This account relays how the giraffe travels from Egypt to Paris and the challenges its handlers/transporters encounter. It's a joyous story that focuses not on agenda but a fun event in history.
The illustrations are expressive (especially the people's and the giraffe's faces). The author's note provides more historical background.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL (but I may purchase it. Purple House Press has republished it.)
A teeny book packed with thought-provoking essays about children's books, their history, and their benefits. I do not agree with the author's politics.
-Borrowed via ILL.
Aristides de Sousa Mendes was a diplomat for Portugal, with an office in Bordeaux, France. With Hitler and his armies creeping across Europe, many Jews sought visas for Portugal. The prime minister denied Mendes permission or did not reply to his requests. Although he knew it would affect him and his family negatively, Mendes disobeyed the prime minister and signed thousands of visas from January 1, 1940 into June, 1940. When the Nazis invaded France, many Jewish refugees tried to escape to Portugal. He decided to issue visas and signed thousands over twenty-three days. He also led the refugees on back roads to avoid the check points and forged passports for Jewish refugees. These actions eventually cost him his career, his home, and his family's status.
A couple of famous people who owe their lives to him: Salvador Dali, Marget Rey & H.A. Rey.
*Highly recommend. I would even share this book with high schoolers even though it would be an easy read for them. Mendes is an inspiring person.
-Borrowed via ILL.
Favorite foods' origins are presented and also how they evolved over time. Each page has the same format: a rhyming introduction, a description of what it is, where it came from, an interesting fact, and then how it has changed.
Foods featured: al pastor taco, pasta, ceviche, cheesecake, pavlova, french fries, fish & chips, ice cream, jerk chicken, rice pudding, pizza, churros
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
I love Mr. Hunt's books about the medieval time period! His paintings are based on thorough research and are also vivid and expressive. In this book he incorporates runes and smaller illustration boxes that enhance the storyline.
Sigrid loves spending time with her Poppa, listening to his tales. In this story he shares how Leif discovers the lush land beyond Greenland and how he is never able to return to the land.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL.
King Alfred, the only English king called "Great", loved stories and longed for his people to be able hear & read stories in English. As a result, in his spare time, he learned Latin so he could translate stories into English. This book focuses on this desire and his tenacity plus a story he heard from a trader, Wulfstan.
The illustrations fill the page or two page spreads and will immerse the reader into this time period. A couple of the illustrations may be a bit scary for sensitive readers (depictions of a personified sea & three old magicians). I like how the Mr. Riddell separates the two stories-King Alfred & his court and the story Wulfstan relates by color hues (King Alfred = brown; Wulfstan= blue).
I did not like how the author has Wulstan use improper grammar -using "me" as a subjective prononun! Three times he included this- "Me and my crew" & "Me and my salt-friends"-2x. Maybe it is ok to speak & write this way in Great Britain?
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
Professional storyteller, Lorna MacDonald Czarnota, shares short versions of tales from the Middle Ages. After each story she offers tips for telling it well and the story's history/true aspects. Tales about the following people are featured: William Tell, Robert Bruce, Robin Hood, Joan of Arc, King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table, Duke Lech, Beowulf, Charlemagne, Saladin, Alexander the Great, Eleanor of Aquitane, & Boudicca.
-Borrowed from the library.
This book compares two medieval weddings-noble & peasant. Mr. Lasker utilized paintings or pictures drawn by artists during this time period to inspire and guide his own illustrations. A wonderfully unique book!
Considerations: peasant woman nurses her baby-the reader can see the top portion of her breast-very minimal; the merry making involves drunkenness, fighting, & wildness-readers see people passed out!
*Highly recommend-readers will learn a lot about this time period & customs through this engaging book but see the considerations.
-I own this book. I bought it used (via order online). Unfortunately the spine is brittle. I am afraid with a few more readings it will fall apart.
Through illuminations and the alphabet, Mr. Hunt exposes readers to important words that describe the Middle Ages. Some words are basic (dragon, falconry, knight, Merlin) but other words are not as well-known (at least to me!!) (oriflamme, quintain, xylography). All ages will enjoy this richly illustrated and written picture book.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL.
I liked Joe Lasker's knight book so much, I searched for more books illustrated by him.
This story, written by Joe's son, relates the events leading up to composer and music director, Haydn's composition, "Farewell" Symphony. An intriguing and humorous story
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Young Cervantes and His Dream of Don Quixote
Through narrative poems, Ms. Engle animates Miguel de Cervantes's life, focusing on his tumultuous childhood (his father would consistently gamble away his barber's earnings and be thrown in debtor's prison), his imagination, and his resiliency. The historical, biographical, and cultural notes were extremely interesting. The oversized, tall book reminds me of windmills! Each poem is accompanied by a full-page or more illustration.
**Highly, highly recommend. I would have teens read this before reading Don Quixote for great background knowledge.
-Borrowed from the library. It's only $10.48 for a new hardcover on Amazon . . .maybe I will buy it!
Below are a few books featured/recommended in Soul School, which I recently reviewed. I borrowed all these books from the library. I do not "highly recommend" all of these books. Please read carefully.😀
1. Saving the Day by Karyn Parsons illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
In rhyme, Ms. Parsons shares Garrett Morgan's childhood and his idea for the traffic signal. She imagines a story to highlight his invention. She also reveals he that invented many other helpful objects but only shares one other device-a gas mask.
Fannie Farmer had big dreams-attend college and become a teacher. Then an illness left her paralyzed and thwarted her plans. Yet she loved to cook and pursued this interest, causing how a recipe is organized and how we cook to be transformed.
Inspiring! The author's additional background information on Fannie and the history of cooking/following a recipe is very interesting.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
The author and the illustrator share the history of the house where Anne Frank and her family hid during WW II. Dates are tucked up in the upper right hand side of every two-page spread. I found this book fascinating! I also enjoyed these duo's book, The House on the Lake.
Older readers will appreciate this book more than elementary or younger.
*Highly recommend for junior high, high school , and adults.
-Borrowed from the library.
My ninth grader will be studying Beethoven for the next few weeks by reading picture books, anthologies, and chapter books about him and also listening to his music.
This picture book begins when Beethoven begins losing his hearing and how he redirected his focus on composing vs performing. Majority of the content then describes his inspiration for the piece Eroica Symphony.
Very interesting Ms. Celenza shares information in a concise yet engaging manner.
A bonus-A CD with Heroic Symphony & "Overture to Goethe's tragedy Egmont"
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via ILL.
I bought Music Study with the Masters by Sonya Shafer (Simply Charlotte Mason) to support my son's study of Beethoven. The booklet included a list of books for "further study". This book was on the list.
Ms. Foster connects many influential individuals during this time period and through narrative, points out how they impacted the world and interacted with each other. Children who love relationships and finding connections will appreciate this method of relating history. I recommend reading it in one sitting or over a couple of consecutive days. I read a half of it and then resumed reading it a couple of weeks later. As a result, I had forgotten some of the connections.
People whose stories are told: Richard Trevithick, Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon Bonaparte, Toussaint L'ouverture, Robert Fulton, Lewis & Clark, James Madison, George Stephenson
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.
