Mike Venezia has written over two dozen very engaging books about famous artists in his series Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists. Each book in the series focuses on one particular artist, from Botticelli to Andy Warhol, from Monet to Jackson Pollock and many in between. Venezia does a great job of telling readers... Continue Reading →
What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?
Children studying the Revolutionary War will find What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz. Fritz starts with information every child is curious about - Franklin's childhood. Instead of boring readers with facts and figures, Fritz tells stories from Franklin's life - of how he taught himself to swim different strokes, how he studied... Continue Reading →
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
My nine-year-old just told me, "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch starts off boring, but then it gets really interesting." She did complain about listening to it in the van, but when Nathaniel Bowditch fell in love with Elizabeth - and she begged to listen to Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham. She is a... Continue Reading →
Phoebe the Spy
Nearly every school-age child can tell you about General George Washington. But could they tell you about the girl who saved his life? Phoebe the Spy (originally titled Phoebe and the General) by Judith Berry Griffin tells the story of Phoebe, a girl in Boston who saved the general's life during the Revolutionary War. Phoebe... Continue Reading →
Mary on Horseback
This small, short book carries in it the power to bring tears to your eyes. Mary on Horseback: Three Mountain Stories by Rosemary Wells tells the story of three people whose lives were changes forever by the life and work of Mary Breckinridge. Breckinridge trained as a nurse during World War I, served in France,... Continue Reading →
The Usborne Advent Nativity Book
When my kids were tiny, we would make a paper ring chain to count down the days until Christmas. When they got too old for that, I looked for Advent calendars to help us count down the days until Christmas. But they were either too pricey, too flimsy, or had things my kids could fight... Continue Reading →
The Thanksgiving Story
Most children who've been to preschool can probably tell you the first Thanksgiving involved Indians and Pilgrims, and perhaps even have a paper Pilgrim collar and hat or Indian headband to prove it. The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh will help children understand who the Pilgrims were and why they celebrated Thanksgiving with the Indians.... Continue Reading →
Stories from Grandma’s Attic
As a girl, I think I read Stories from Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson at least a dozen times. I loved the stories of the author's precocious grandmother, who was constantly in trouble. I am amazed at the memories in this book - not only the memory of the author, whose grandmother told her the... Continue Reading →
The Courage of Sarah Noble
This year, my younger children and I are exploring American History, and enjoying some wonderful books on our journey. One of those is The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh. I remember my older two children enjoying this book when they read it two years ago, but this was the first time I had... Continue Reading →
The Story of the World
One of the great benefits of teaching my children at home is that I get an education as well. I'm learning so much more about history and science that I just didn't get in school - either because the curriculum didn't include the information, or because I didn't understand it. I've always enjoyed history, but... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 