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On what topics, time periods or people do you wish you could find more "living books"?
- This topic has 13 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 6 months ago by
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I have recently started implementing a lot of the ideas on this great website, including beginning Module 1 of Bible/History/Geography and checking some of the literature suggestions out of the library. My very imaginative 8 year old boy is LOVING it. I have been able to find several of the recommended literature and history suggestions as free or very inexpensive ebook downloads (mostly from Amazon), which helps the budget, and have purchased others.
I have been inspired by what we have been reading and by the books offered on the SCM website, and would love to add to the great collection of living books out there by writing some myself. I wondered if any of you had encountered areas/topics where you felt more living books were needed?
Thanks for any ideas you have.
WELLLLL…I am starting to get a little desperate for more choices in anything Canadian. There are some living books out there for Canadian history and/or geography but not a lot. I would love some more non-textbookish books that talk about Canadian places and geographical features, culture, and provinces. Sometimes, it seems as though the Americans have a plethora of choices for learning about their country and, by comparison, the CM Canadians are somewhat hard pressed to find resources that fit their family and are often left “making-do” with textbook type resources. It would be nice if it were a little less “slim pickins’ “. !
Not sure that is what you were looking for in terms of writing topics (most of the lovely ladies in here are American after all). I would not be at all surprised if that was simply not an option for you, I am just feeling slightly desperate for resources in this area right now and then your question popped up! ; ). Hehe!
Bless you in your effort to add to the choices of living books for homeschoolers!
-Miranda
There has cropped up some instances where I can’t find a book on a scientist or naturalist. (I was looking in my library for a book on Carl Linnaeus, the man who started taxonomy classification, and Anna Comstock. Elizabeth Blackwell too even though she was a doctor, not a scientist/naturalist. There just wasn’t much or not what I was looking for anyway.
I will have to think more on this and get back to you. Great question!
Geography, bible history, general nature study books…this request is weird, but…homemaking/chores. I have noticed kids from this generation tend to view work in such a negative light and in little ways it would be nice to counter-act that and teach the basic skills of caring for a home.
Just a few that come to mind. 😉
Keep the good ideas coming! I really appreciate you all taking the time to answer.
Miranda and Suzukimom, I had no idea that living books about Canada were in short supply.
We’ve really struggled to find history books post WWII (American or world history), especially the wars that have been fought (Vietnam, Korea, etc). Most are Usborne type books or rather anti-American.
Second (or third) the geography/culture books, especially since so much has happened in some countries over the past 100 years. There are some nicer OLD books, but much has changed.
I’ve struggled with finding books set in the Spanish Colonial time period in the southwest. There are alot of books for our region focused on this country’s westward expansion, but not alot before the time of the Santa Fe Trail.
What ages are you looking for Canadian living books for? There aren’t many, but I’ve accumulated some (I have 7 children between the ages of 16 months and 15 years, so my recommendations could span a few grades 🙂
Hi Carla,
Well, my kiddos are 10, 8 and 6. But I would be delighted to know/find books for ANY age or reading level for down the road because I quickly learned that once you find a good Canadian CM book, hold onto it! Even if it will be a few years before you will use it! LOL! I would appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks!
-Miranda
I adore good picture books, so finding good Canadian ones is like a treature hunt for me. We just read a book called Duncan’s Way by Ian Wallace that touches on Newfoundland, after the cod stocks began to disappear. It’s a beautifully illustrated story book. A Fiddle for Angus by Budge Wilson is another lovely picture book; it is set in Cape Breton and encompasses the music and family culture there. I was very excited to find The Red Sash by Jean E Pendziwol; it is set at Fort William during Rendevous and gives a great (and accurate) picture of the Fur Trade through the eyes of a young Metis boy. Baseball Bats for Christmas by Michael Kusugak gives a unique picture of the arctic region of Canada. Tiger’s New Cowboy Boots by Irene Marck gives a great picture of a cattle drive in Alberta. If Your Not from the Prairie by David Bouchard is also an interesting book–especially the beautiful illustrations. We’ve also found Barbara Greenwood’s books helpful (we read Gold Rush Fever last year and enjoyed it). My all time favourite spine for younger elementary is My First History of Canada by Donalda Dickie.
For older kids it is harder. Maxine Trottier’s The Circle of Silver Chronicles trilogy is good and so is Jeremy’s War 1812 by John Ibbitson. I also like Madeleine Takes Command by Ethel C. Brill.
Rilla of Ingleside by Lucy Maud Montgomery is a fantastic Canadian picture of WWI. Evangeline by by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is also lovely when studying the Acadians.
The Spirit of Canada anthology has also been wildly popular at our house.
Hope this helps get you going!
Carla
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