(NOTE: The latest books updated are in Italics)
Last Updated: June 12, 2008
I’ve always loved learning. Just as some people desire food, have an obsession with new clothes, or rejoice over the latest WII game, my heart pounds at the sight of a good book. Or anything with words, for that matter.
I even read the backs of people’s shampoo bottles while alone in their bathroom.
Yes, I’m that bad.
(Please don’t tell)
I’m a lifelong library lover, and cardtoting member to two…count them TWO local libraries (one of which is known as the best library in the south east). I visit at least a couple times per month, and always return home with a huge bag full of books. That’s not even considering the books I own. Even now that I’m a mom, you’ll still find me with a book in my hand when the baby is sleeping in the wee hours of the morning, or nursing during the day.
Because my interests change often, I read a variety of non-fiction books – and will exhaust all library books on one subject if I stay highly interested long enough!
For the past year, I’ve been heavily into parenting and homeschool type of books. I’ve learned so much from them, and have developed a good view of the modern homeschooling movement as well. So..I decided I would share the books I read with our blog visitors. As I continue to read, I will update this post.
All books on this list have been read, by me, cover to cover.
PARENTING BOOKS:
What to Expect When You Are Expecting – Yes. This is the motherload of all pregnancy books. If you are expecting, get it. My cousin gave it to me at my bridal shower (even though, at the time, my first pregnancy was still over a year away!), that’s how much power this book holds. It takes you step by step through each month and…well..what to expect. It is written in a question / answer form and topics you wouldn’t even thick of in your wildest dreams are even covered. It’s a terrific “reference” guide! However, be warned, you may gloss over (aka “not notice”) information that’s in there until AFTER you experience it first hand.
A Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy - This was, to me, better (and funner) than the What to Expect book. Written by a woman in the mid-90′s, this book brings in view the many subjects that us women experience – but are too embarrassed to talk about, such as farting, having nothing to wear, intimacy, feelings, and other pregnancy related issues. It’s message is serious, but it is written in a humorous, jesting manner. I laughed out loud (HARD) during many parts of the book.
What to Expect the First Year – This book is just like it’s pregnant counterpart, written in the same question / answer format and everything, picking up where that book left off (labor & delivery). It takes you month by month through your baby’s development. This has been a very helpful reference since I had Jack!
Romancing the Heart of Your Child – This book delves into christian principles of parenting your child in a way that will show him not only your deep love but the love of our Father in Heaven. The book is heavily personal, relying much on personal parenting experiences and childhood memories of the author (a man). It’s not a favorite, but I did take a few good tips and pointers from the book.
The Mister Rogers Parenting Book: Helping to Understand Your Young Child – I loved Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood when I was a child. In fact, I cried when he died and still watch it now. His quiet calmness, easy-going manner, morals, coverage of true childhood fears and issues, and ability to never talk down to a child made him a hero to me. In this book, he uses his expertise in early childhood development to help explain how to help your preschooler cope with many every day issues and challenges in life. The book has many helpful hints, a few cute black & white graphics, and is written in such a manner that you can actually “hear” Mr. Roger’s voice speaking out from the text.
HOMESCHOOLING BOOKS:
How Smart is Your Baby: Develop and Nurture Your Newborn’s Full Potential – This book was written by specialists who discovered that they could apply principals used in brain-damaged children’s development to help growth in the normal child as well. The beginning of the book shows the cognitive develoment stages of an infant and the known natural reflexes, and then a curriculum is laid out in helping advance your baby through these 6 early stages. The authors do not believe in waiting for natural “readiness” or “timetables” (as promoted by Charlotte Mason and some modern day educators), but encourage parents to help guide a child through each stage so he sucessfully conquers the cognitive mastery of each stage. It was refreshing to read a book that promotes the possibility of developing highly intelligent children early on (as I lean more in that direction myself), but the time needed for this curriculum is pretty rediculous for a regular parent! I picked up some great tips though, and found the most interesting to be that even a newborn has the cognitive ability to purposefully creep along the floor on his tummy (which I watched my own son do successfully!).
The Well Trained Mind – This book is written by a mom and former homeschooled daughter from the late ’70s. They introduce the reader to the classical education method, a greek influenced liberal arts education which involves training children based on the “Trivium” (Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric stage / age progression). A complete curriculum, including implementation advice and book lists, is laid out from kindergarten to 12th grade. The author’s tone tends to be “my way, or else” at times, and I find it odd that she never discusses how her other children did with this type of training…but otherwise I enjoyed this book. Be forewarned though that the book lays out a 40+ hour week of formal schooling at home (something no homeschooling mom wants), and the author makes it sound as if your child will be doomed if it’s not followed! You should know how to “cut and paste” to suit your family’s needs.
A Charlotte Mason Education – This small book is a pretty quick read, but it does a great job at introducing you to the educational beliefs and system proposed by early 20th century educator Charlott Mason. Examples from the author’s own homeschooling experience and implementation advice are scattered throughout. I would suggest reading this book a number of times, and maybe even keep it on hand as reference.
The Homeschool Reader – This book contains articles collected from the Home Education Magazine from 1984 to 1994. Since homeschooling was just becoming “legal” during this time (legality in all 50 stages didn’t happen until 1989!), these folks were the pioneers of the modern day homeschooling movement. The articles / essays are grouped into categories such as “Teaching and Learning”, “Subjects”, and even “Personal Experiences”. Over 31 authors are represented, including John Holt (the father of the unschooling movement), Linda Dobson, and John Taylor Gatto (NY City Teacher of the Year 1989-91, NY State Teacher of the Year 1991). I loved the insight provided by these homeschoolers, and found it humorous to hear one author mention Saxon (today’s most popular math textbook curriculum) as the “new comer on the block”!
The Relaxed Home School: A Family Production – This cute book bases it’s theme on the theater with chapters such as “The Production Crew” (family unit), “Writing the Script” (planning), and “Act II: A Living Curriculum” (using real books). The author Mary Hood has a PH.D. and educated her own 5 children. It is very personal, written in simple first person chit-chat (giving you the feeling she is sitting in front of you chatting), and has many references to her family experiences. Her ideals are based heavily on Charlotte Mason theory, and this book provides a nice overview of one way of starting (and planning) homeschooling.
Taking Charge Through Homeschooling: Personal and Poliical Empowerment – This book did more for developing my personal education and homeschooling beliefs than any other I’ve read. Unlike 99% of other homeschooling books, this one does not focus on the main homeschooling issues of “why, how to, and method”. Instead it delves into the role homeschooling plays in American education and the political / social issues surrounding it. I like how it doesn’t harp on the public education system, but instead looks at facts and how homeschooling provides a good, strong, viable alternative to the goverment-run system that has only been around for a century or so. It is very detailed, and written on a much higher level than most of the books I’ve read in this genre. Written in 1990, this book came on the scene only a few years after homeschooling became legal in the US (all 50 states by 1989), but don’t discount it’s use today! With sections on Winning Support for Homeschooling, Countering Restrictive Laws, and Making the Best of Current Law, you’ll be more prepared to stand up for your right to provide a quality education for your child at home.
