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Karen Andreola's books
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Just a plug for Karen’s books. If you are new to CM ways or just want so real encouragement and refreshment breathed into your home education, I highly recommend Karen’s books. She is a lovely person and it comes through so clearly in her writing. You feel as if a friend is next to you mentoring you along the way.
The Charlotte Mason Compainion, Pocketfull of Pinecones, and Lessons at Blackberry Inn will inspire you to make your homeschooling the joyful, gentle, loving environment it is meant to be.
I refer to the Companion book several times a year. She truly brought Charlotte Mason to life for me in the early years and for that I am forever grateful. Thank you SCM for sharing her books on your site so that many other moms may benefit from her sweet wisdom.
What about her book, Beautiful Girlhood. Has anyone read this with their daughter? Do you have an age recommendation of reading this with her?
Karen Andreola’s book was my first inspiration to use Charlotte’s methods in our homeschool 10 years ago. I love A Pocketful of Pinecones and Lessons from Blackberry Inn. I so wish she would continue with more sequels. I would love to see how she portrays a Charlotte Mason education for older children.
We have Beautiful Girlhood and the companion book by Shelly Noonan. They are really sweet but as soon as I read them, I knew my daughter would hate them. That style is just not her cup of tea. I, however, love them!
Beautiful Girlhood is a wonderful book. I feel like it appealed more to one daughter than it did another. Their personalities are very different, but it is a great resource. I don’t think it would hurt for momma to read it and then incorporate some of it’s wisdom into the everday of life at home with girls.
I love Pocket Full of Pinecones!
Just wondering, if I just read both of Catherine Levinson’s books Charlotte Mason Education & More CM Ed. (Which I really enjoyed), would I get anything out of Andreolas CM Companion? Or would it be redundant? I may also be acquiring the full set of Charlottes Original HS Series.
I have read all three of these BlessedMommy and they are all different in their encouragement and inspiration! All 3 were beneficial in their own ways. And yes, the original HS series can not be ignored – it too must be read but it will take time to go through them and there will be lots to chew. Levison’s and Andreola’s will get you up and running on what it looks like in a home. Such good reading………
I think it is more of a writing style difference, too.
I read Charlotte Mason Education when I first got started in this CM life and I appreciated feeling like I had some nuts and bolts to get me started (in addtition to the free SCM ebooks). I felt like I REALLY could do this and it didn’t have to be so complicated and difficult. After a year or so, I was so thirsty to know more and tried The CM Companion. When I read it, I don’t feel any pressure like I am doing anything wrong or that I am lacking something. The style makes me feel like I am talking to an experienced mom who just encourages me in so many ways and so many levels each time I read it.
I have More CM Education in my pile to read next. I am working on CM’s Original Series too, along with a few others. 😉 I am really interested in reading Karen Glass’ new book when it comes out. Reading a variety of styles has helped me learn more and be able to share CM’s philosophy and methods with lots of people, which is something that I have found that I am passionate about. 😉
SO, I guess I had a little bit of a different experience! (Blush)
I checked out, Pocketful Of Pinnecones….and, I didn’t get it. As in, is it a book for me, or am I supposed to read it to the kids? I have never read anything like it before, and was a bit ‘fluffy.’ I’m more a , get to the point, kinda girl. I only skimmed parts of it. I am thinking I should get it out again from the library and give it another go.
Can someone pls tell me the ‘idea/point’ of it (and it’s different writing style?
Thanks
AND, I have SO MANY of SCM books (Laying Down the Rails, Books and Things, Hours in the Outdoors, Enjoying the Early Years) That I haven’t gotten through yet……at what point did you all read the above mentioned books about CM>? I guess I was gonna work my way through the SCM information (so much of it–might take a WHILE), and then the above mentioned? Wondering what you all did, as I am newer on this journey.
kscrapperw — I think you just give yourself time and go with where you feel led. I am actually just now diving into some of SCM’s book that I <ahem> *couldn’t resist* when seeing them firsthand at the SCM booth a few months ago at a conference. I read through Levison first book and Karen Andreola’s in pretty short order, then I started on the original CM volumes and worked in Penny Gardner’s along the way. But that was many years ago.
In some ways, I think it was easier back then (gee, I feel old when I say this) because there really wasn’t much written about CM, comparatively, and there weren’t SO MANY CM resources and sites and angles and everything. I agree with what sheraz said about writing style. It’s nice that we do have so many options to find a writing style that appeals to us, yet can still find value in the content of some of the writing styles that maybe don’t appeal to us as much.
…And on the topic of writing styles, I have to say that Pocketful of Pinecones? Umm…ya, that’s not a favorite of mine. I bought it when it first came out, held on to it for quite a few years to loan out to others, then finally passed it on permanently a few months ago when I was downsizing. In some ways, the CM Companion is somewhat unfulfilling to me, but a part of me still enjoys that one so I keep it and revisit it once in a while. There’s nothing wrong with any of it…it jjust doesn’t speak to me like some others do. Maybe it’s that way for you?
I say just enjoy whatever book you have available to you — drink it in, implement/apply as desired. Just keep moving forward and don’t worry about all the things you *could be* reading. 🙂
So….on the subject of Beautiful Girlhood and its appeal to different personalities, I am wondering how well received it might be (or not!) by a 16-year old daughter who has a rather strong personality. She can step forward with her ideas and opinions in leadership, but she can also be very stubborn with a know-it-all attitude. Often, disrespect is a traveling companion with those characteristics.
Has anyone here tried using BG with that type of strong personality? Successfully? Not so much? I have a copy of the book sitting on my shelves but haven’t read it yet.
I don’t believe personality is the key to using Beautiful Girlhood. It contains many very good lessons in character, but the style in which it was written is a little harder for my 11yo to grasp. I was reading it to her. I have put the book away until she is older. Maybe it’s okay to read it to 11 yo, but my daughter has some processing difficulties, so this style does not fit well right now. A typical 16yo should understand it and benefit from it, whatever her personality. The key is to build character through it. She will either take heed to or defy the instruction given. That is a matter of the heart. I am going heavy on the Bible and character this year with my daughter. The more they hear it, the more likely they will be to remember it and apply it. So, I would say, give it a go with the 16 yo. It’s not going to have a bad affect on her, no matter how she responds to it.
kscrapperw, Pocketful of Pinecones is a fun fiction book for mom. It’s meant to be “mother culture” – fun reading that also informs. It might not be your cup of tea, which is fine.
To the poster who mentoned about A Charlotte Mason Companion not ever making them feel bad, I agree! I go back to that book every year and re-read the whole thing or just parts – and I never feel “oh, no, I’m such a bad mom” or anything. It’s just so reassurring.
Just to remind us all, too, that we change as grow as time goes on. For example, a couple years ago I read “For the Children’s Sake” by Macaulay. I didn’t get anything out of that book! Recently I read “For the Family’s Sake” by Macaulay and enjoyed it so much that I thought I ought to give “For the Children’s Sake” another chance— and I LOVED it this time! So, now I’m off to replace the copy that I PaperBackSwapped!!!
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