David Rainey, a Christian homeschooler and a librarian, sees his List of Best Books for Children as his family’s legacy to share with booklovers everyDavid Rainey, a Christian homeschooler and a librarian, sees his List of Best Books for Children as his family’s legacy to share with booklovers everywhere. David and his daughter Anna recommend over 500 out of thousands of books that their family has read, discussing each one in a chatty and informative way. They share toddler books worth reading over and over (like Good Night Moon), as well as funny books, inspiring books, read-alouds, and children’s novels. These books will provide hours of enjoyment and learning. I am convinced that children exposed to these books will become accustomed to what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)
Although more and more modern authors are building negative influences into their books, the Raineys focus on ‘good books that are also clean and free from controversial issues, profane language, romantic plot elements, inappropriate humor, and undesirable role models.’ (p 133) If these restrictions sound extreme, remember, the age range is 0-12; of course controversial issues and romance need to be addressed with older children. As for the other restrictions, sin for sin’s sake is never appropriate, no matter one’s age. ... If you have children, I highly recommend The Rainey List of Best Books for Children. Written by a librarian who is a homeschooling father, it is full of excellent book recommendations for ages 0-12. It would make great gift—I gave a copy to a mom of newborn twins named after Louisa May Alcott and Beatrix Potter and am giving one to my sister as well—and it is becoming my new favorite baby gift. This book would be valuable for homeschool, church, and public libraries as well. ... To read my entire review, with links to other resources, please go to the review on my blog: http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.co......more
An enjoyable way to study world geography in our homeschool. I love this book and was so glad to share it with my teens! It discusses not only geograpAn enjoyable way to study world geography in our homeschool. I love this book and was so glad to share it with my teens! It discusses not only geography but all sorts of other topics that come up in life. We grew to love the family as well....more
This book is a bit dramatic and a bit unrealistic, but it is a whole lot of fun and an interesting look at a different culture. We read it aloud afterThis book is a bit dramatic and a bit unrealistic, but it is a whole lot of fun and an interesting look at a different culture. We read it aloud after The Swiss Family Robinson and before Two Years Before the Mast, and it was a happy interlude between the two....more
There are few joys that match enjoying a book together, and The Swiss Family Robinson is one of the best books to read aloud. I highly recommend it toThere are few joys that match enjoying a book together, and The Swiss Family Robinson is one of the best books to read aloud. I highly recommend it to all families....more
Reading books like this is one of the joys of being a homeschooling mom. Splendid to share with kids in the middle of the winter, when warmth seems soReading books like this is one of the joys of being a homeschooling mom. Splendid to share with kids in the middle of the winter, when warmth seems so far away.
I read it aloud again 2 years later, and it was so much fun!...more
Lots of laughter and some of the most gripping metaphors I have ever come across in two decades of reading aloud.
This has long been considered one ofLots of laughter and some of the most gripping metaphors I have ever come across in two decades of reading aloud.
This has long been considered one of Australia's best books for young people, and I can understand why. My girls said it would have been much better without the prologue, though....more
June 15, 1215, one of the most significant days in English history, saw wicked King John sullenly sign the Magna Charta, acknowledging freedom of the June 15, 1215, one of the most significant days in English history, saw wicked King John sullenly sign the Magna Charta, acknowledging freedom of the people and restraining his own power.
How did this all come about? How was such an evil king persuaded to restrict his own power?
James Daugherty, award-winning author of the past, has written a dramatic account of kings and queens, castles and barons, sea battles and sieges, intrigue and honesty, faith and wickedness, all bound together by the outrageous arrogance of John Lackland and the suffering of his people.
Eleven-year-old Henrietta Macpherson cannot seem to do anything right. Her loving but stern father is so disappointed in her wilful response to the beEleven-year-old Henrietta Macpherson cannot seem to do anything right. Her loving but stern father is so disappointed in her wilful response to the beautiful gift from cousin John Alex that he puts it aside until Henrietta is older and also forbids her to attend the skating party in John Alex’s honor.
He calmly points out that both John Alex and he ‘have frequent dealings with people who think too much of themselves, and we don’t want you to be one of them….’ John Alex agrees, Henrietta has a temper tantrum, and that is the end of that.
Even though her maid Becky does the best she can with her unruly charge, Henrietta does manage to slip out of her room during the party, and she sees a waif-like child watching the skating party from behind a bush.
From that moment the orphaned servant girl, Sarah, fills Henrietta’s thoughts and life through adventures with a secret desk compartment, fairs, a circus, and more....
When I started to read Journey Through the Night to my teen daughters, they expected to be bored. However, by the third paragraph one of them jumped uWhen I started to read Journey Through the Night to my teen daughters, they expected to be bored. However, by the third paragraph one of them jumped up. “What! John does judo?” The other one was interested by the next page. As the story moved on, they begged for chapter after chapter. Once, when I could not read aloud any longer, I stayed behind in the lawn chair and, forgetting all my duties, finished the entire book even though I had read it many times before! When I talk to others who have read this book, they invariably tell me how wonderful it was.
So, what is this amazing book? Journey Through the Night follows John and his family through the five years of Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Written by one of the country’s most popular novelists, this commissioned book became one of the country’s favorite war stories.
John and his family, shocked by the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, drive across the country to pick up his little sister. They encounter their first German soldier, have their first crisis of conscience, and inevitably become deeply involved in the resistance as the war drags on.
A wonderful book to read, but difficult to read aloud for two reasons. First of all, the dialects are difficult to read properly. Secondly, it is fullA wonderful book to read, but difficult to read aloud for two reasons. First of all, the dialects are difficult to read properly. Secondly, it is full of sad scenes that I tended to skim over when reading to myself and are not helpful when reading aloud to sensitive youngsters. On the whole, though, it was a successful read aloud for ages 12-16, with some omissions....more
Splendid fictionalized biography of John Cabot. Although I read it aloud, with some editing, to my 11 and 13 year old, it was not written for childrenSplendid fictionalized biography of John Cabot. Although I read it aloud, with some editing, to my 11 and 13 year old, it was not written for children and will appeal to adults as well.
Annie Kate
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