I've written and lost this post twice already thanks to a very moody internet connection (why can't it find the ATM circuit, whatever that means?). I'll try to post again later if I can face the frustration.
OK then...
The American Story: This is just a fun book for all ages. I've read about an anti-Christian slant but 1) It's easily avoided. 2) I don't feel it detracts from the book at all. 3) Every history book has its own bias and that is something I think children should learn early on. In doing so, they hone their critical thinking skills. We've also used this to emphasize the importance of looking at multiple sources, first hand if possible. It kind of teaches its own lesson. And if I can ramble on a bit more... I went to Catholic schools from 1st grade through high school and let me tell you, college was a shock. I had no idea how many people disliked Catholics, nor how strongly. It really shook me that first year. So I don't necessarily believe in sheltering my children from all of that.
Um, anyway, yeah. I like this book.
(pause to save as draft)
A Really Short History of Nearly Everything: I don't always enjoy Bill Bryson. I bought this as a fun supplemental read aloud. It's so much more than I expected. My children and I are fascinated by all the stories of the scientists and the different concepts they used to make these discoveries. It's really inspiring since so many of them were amateurs and worked with so little in the way of fancy equipment. We're only about a third of the way in, but so far I love it.
Fall Picture Books!
Oliver Finds His Way - oh, love. One of my favorites since I became a parent. Is it out of print? That would be very, very sad.
Ox-Cart Man - That can't be out of print. Is Amazon just being weird this morning? This one also ranks among the very best.
(pause to save)
Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip - I know I'm not the only one who loves Beskow's fashion sense - Did you see this Cranberry Girl dress? Mrs. Acorn's apron in this book is just utterly too-too (name that reference!). I was SO excited to see a knitting pattern for Little Pip's Acorn Cap on Ravelry. I knit it up this past week and my son wore it all day yesterday, though it really wasn't that cold.
Pretty, pretty please - I'm always looking for new autumn picture books. If you have a favorite, could you mention it in the comments? Perhaps I'll try to create a master list of some sort.
Happy Autumn, my friends! I'm publishing before proofreading because I just can't lose this post again.
LOVE that hat!!!! Adorable!
And you've listed some of my very favorite books. We have very much enjoyed American Story and Very Short History (as well as any other Bill Bryson we can get our hands on). And Ox Cart Man has its own special place in my mommy heart.
Posted by: Theresa | September 23, 2011 at 12:05 PM
I just won that book and got it today! I am going to read it to the kids this afternoon. I thought it a perfect day to receive it! I wish I could help, but I drawing a blank for fall specific... Maybe I will come back and post after I remember!
Posted by: Amy Caroline | September 23, 2011 at 01:14 PM
I look forward to your book posts every week, Jenn. My amazon wish list keeps getting longer and longer, thanks to you ;-) You pick the best books!
Our favorite book collection is our fall one. I have to get them out ASAP! It has been so crazy around here!! Hopefully this weekend.
P.S. For subjects like history, do you do the same thing for both of your children, even though there is an age gap, and then adjust the work accordingly? I am trying to figure out what subjects to combine for all three of them (1st, 2nd and 3rd grades) ...
Posted by: Sarah | September 23, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Okay. First thing, I adore that hat! I wanted to ask about it after seeing it in your last post, but forgot when I left my comment. Darn my short term memory! I'll look for it over on ravelry. Thanks so much for the book links. We have both Ox-Cart Man and Woody, Hazel and Little Pip (both beloved), but had not heard of Oliver Finds His Way.
I just pulled out my Autumn books to put out into the seasonal basket today.
A few favorites from the basket:
Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson, Illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke - this is such a cute story with soft comforting illustrations
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, retold and illustrated by Will Moses (great-grandson of Grandma Moses)
Johnny Appleseed, A poem by Reeve Lindbergh and paintings by Kathy Jakobsen -(we have another Johnny Appleseed book, but this is my favorite) I love the poetical style of the book and the illustrations are lovely, folksy and warm.
Posted by: Kelly | September 23, 2011 at 01:48 PM
Kelly, I LOVE that Sleepy Hollow book and its driving me nuts because I cannot find it. I know its around here somewhere... Ill have to look at that Johnny Appleseed book. My son loves the story, but I dont enjoy the one book we have.
Sarah, We kind of combine History. My son is officially working through Story of the World Volume 1, but we have it on audiobook, so we listen to it in the car and do the review questions together. My daughter, therefore, is reviewing it. I love that. She is officially working through American History, but he sits through a lot of our read alouds etc. So they are kind of separate and kind of meshed.
Posted by: Jennifer | September 23, 2011 at 02:24 PM
"utterly too-too" - isn't that what Nellie Oleson used to say when she horns in on Laura and Almanzo 's dates?
Posted by: Lorri | September 23, 2011 at 08:54 PM
Yay Lorri! That is correct. It always makes us laugh.
Sent from my iPod
Posted by: Jennifer | September 23, 2011 at 09:08 PM
OK! Thanks, Jenn. That is helpful.
Posted by: Sarah | September 24, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Oh, shoot ... I don't think my comment went through.
Again:
Totally agree with you on The American Story and the need for varying points of view/critical thinking.
Ramona has always loved this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Story-Brambly-Hedge-Barklem/dp/0689830548
And I love that hat!
Posted by: Karen Edmisten | September 27, 2011 at 06:20 AM