Opinions on Voskamp's "A Child's Geography: Explore His Earth" (volume 1)?

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Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
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  • August 28, 2013 at 6:43 pm
    Mysterious Lady in Pink
    Participant

    What do you think of this book in terms of quality? What ages would you consider it ideal for? I am debating whether or not to add this in… pretty much because I see that CurrClick is having a little “course” on it and I thought my kiddos might like that (and I might too). But wonder if it’s just another thing to add in that won’t be worth it.

    Thanks!

    August 28, 2013 at 6:59 pm
    Bookworm
    Participant

    I tried this book, and I tried to love it, I really did.  The author seems to be very highly thought of.  I don’t necessarily have a problem with the information in it, but I read it to a 7yo and we both felt talked down to.  The author’s tone and style grated on my nerves so badly that I almost stopped it completely, but ended up gritting my teeth and finishing it.  But I felt the whole time that I was being talked down to in that annoying sing-songy voice some people have.  I think she tried too hard to make the material “cutesy” in the mistaken idea that this is how to make it “living.”  But I have certainly had other homeschoolers react in utter disbelief when I said this and insist that it was their favorite book.  So.  <shrug>  Are there still samples on the site you can try out?

    August 28, 2013 at 7:12 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    I ditto Bookworm exactly. Only I didn’t finish it. I do love Ann’s blog, though!

    August 28, 2013 at 8:21 pm
    Sara B.
    Participant

    Well, I guess we’ll see how my 5th grader likes it…  I have it scheduled for her this year.  She’s usually quite blunt about things being babyish, and she loves the word “twaddle.”  LOL

    August 29, 2013 at 3:11 am
    Mysterious Lady in Pink
    Participant

    Ah…yes… that is exactly what I feared. And I have seen it in numerous “living” books that are quite popular.

    Thank you for the input!

    August 29, 2013 at 3:29 am
    missceegee
    Participant

    I don’t mind reading the Apologia elementary books to myself, but I feel the same way about reading them aloud. We scrapped those, too.

    August 29, 2013 at 11:17 am
    jeaninpa
    Participant

    Ditto, ditto, ditto

    I wanted to love it.  I didn’t.  I wanted my kids to love it.  They didn’t !!!  — with as many exclamation marks as you can imagine.  

    I, too, like her blog and feel a bit disloyal not liking the geography book.  

    August 29, 2013 at 12:09 pm
    Mysterious Lady in Pink
    Participant

    Actually, I should’ve asked in my original post  —  I know there are a couple of books in this series, so I assume they are all written in the same style. Do you think that’s an accurate assumption? I think one of the SCM guides incorporated the Holy Land one. (Those of you who didn’t care for the first book may not have looked at any others, but if anyone knows….)

    August 29, 2013 at 12:31 pm
    RobinP
    Participant

    Agreeing wholeheartedly with the others. Though I admire Anne and what she does, it drives me nuts to read her writing. Sometimes I just want to say, “Spit it out, man!” But I seem to be in the vast minority in my circles.

    August 29, 2013 at 1:19 pm
    Heather
    Participant

    I ditto the others as well!  I tried volume 1 and ended up quitting, and then, because I am a glutton for punishment, tried volume 2 about a year later.  I literally felt like I needed to baby talk as I was reading it aloud.  Embarassed

    I know of others who loved those books, but it definitely wasn’t for us.  But, the good news is that if you decided to try it and end up hating it, you can sell it for pretty much what you paid for it!

    August 29, 2013 at 1:56 pm
    sheraz
    Participant

    Yes, they are written in the same style. I still have both of mine iif you want to see them. I think the push to be “conversational” is what makes it so hard to read. 

     

    August 29, 2013 at 2:08 pm
    Sonya Shafer
    Moderator

    I think one of the SCM guides incorporated the Holy Land one

    The old Joshua through Malachi & Ancient Greece study used that one, but it is not recommended in the updated version of that study based on feedback like you’ve been reading above. 

    August 29, 2013 at 2:15 pm
    Mysterious Lady in Pink
    Participant

    Thank you for clarifying that, Sonya. 🙂

    And thanks to all who took the time to chime in. Based on the comments, I can feel quite confident that I might share that opinion, given the issues I’ve had with some other books.

    August 29, 2013 at 2:40 pm
    sheraz
    Participant

    And this is a great time to say that I think the new “Visits to … Series” is going to be a hit among my girls. I have all but one of the books in my hands for the Middle East, and I have to keep hiding them. LOL

    September 11, 2013 at 2:30 am
    Sara B.
    Participant

    So today my 5th grader used it for the first time.  We are not reading it aloud, she is doing it on her own.  She really liked it.  A lot.  I was surprised, but I didn’t argue.  LOL  We’ll see if she continues to enjoy it.

    I was also surprised by the books she didn’t like, however, but that’s another post.  😉

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