Homeschool His Way Book Reviews

Mission Possible

2011-11-24T10:16:00.001-06:00

Marilyn Laszlo left her family, her job, and her convertible behind to go to the jungles of Papua New Guinea to translate the Bible into the Sepik Iwam language. A former headhunting tribe, the Sepik Iwam people welcomed Marilyn and her translation partner into their village (Hauna) unaware that their lives would be impacted for generations to come by the power of God. Though the people of Hauna village were intelligent people they lived in very primitive conditions, had no written language, and had never heard the name of Jesus. They also had never seen a white skinned person until Marilyn and fellow missionary Judy reached Hauna Village. Seeing that these beings had such pale skin and had a second skin (clothing) the villagers couldn't determine if they were male or female. They finally decided they were neither - they were spirit beings. It didn't take long for the villagers to see that though these missionaries looked very different from them, and brought many strange things with them, they were very much human.

The translation process was a long and difficult challenge. With no written language to translate from, Marliyn and Judy had to begin at the very beginning - writing down the Sepik Iwam language. Not knowing the language, Marilyn and Judy had limited ways to communicate with the the villagers. They began walking around the village with pen and paper, with curious children following and watching to see what they were doing. They learned the names of many objects by touching or pointing and saying the name of the object in English, hoping that someone would understand they wanted to know the name of that object in Sepik Iwam. They would then write the Sepik Iwam word phonetically using the English alphabet in order to develop a written language for these people. This was the beginning of Bible translation work in Hauna village that would take years to complete. Along the way there were many challenges, trials that required deep faith, friendships forged, times of fun and laughter, times of deep sadness, and miracles wrought by God. A large portion of Hauna village is now Christian after having "asked Jesus into their throats". They have built schools, medical clinics, churches, and are faithfully sharing the gospel with other villages along the Sepik river. They are happy that Marilyn came to their village to "carve their talk on a banana leaf" so they could have "Papa God's" words in their own language.

My Rating
If you want a first hand account of modern day mission work this is a great book to read. Marilyn's heart for God and for these people is evident in her respectful but truthful account of 24 years of life among these precious people. I give Mission Possible 5 stars!

Mission Possible
By Marilyn Laszlo / Tyndale House

Giving up a comfortable life as a teacher, Marilyn poured herself into Bible translation. Strange sights, sounds, and customs became a way of life, but the payoff far exceeded anything she had imagined. Mission Possible is the story of Marilyn Laszlo's relentless efforts to translate the Word of God into the Sepik Iwam language resulting in the transformation of an entire people group.

Don't miss these other titles by Marilyn Laszlo:

A is for Airstrip: A Missionary’s Jungle Adventure by Marilyn Laszlo with Elizabeth Maddrey and Linda Ellen Perry

Fear, Faith and Following GodExtreme Answers from Extreme Missionary Marilyn Laszlo 20 minute DVD

Mountain of Light First Encounters with a Stone Age Tribe in Papua New Guinea 42:36 minute DVD

Come By Here A Church is Born in Hauna Village While Another Tribe Waits… 25:35 minute DVD. Angel Award Winner in the religious category.

Return to Hauna A Bible Translator’s Story from the Jungles of Papua New Guinea 48 minute “Special Edition” version DVD.

Please donate to the work of Laszlo Mission League by making your tax deductible contribution here.

Blessings,

What Really Happened During the Middle Ages?

2011-10-04T02:22:00.001-05:00

I know of no better way to learn about history than to learn about the people that made history! What Really Happened During the Middle Ages, compiled by Terri Johnson and illustrated by Darla Dixon, is a wonderful collection of biographies about famous men and women of the Middle Ages that will captivate your young learner with its well told stories and lovely portraits. The book is for children ages 8-14, but I loved the stories as well. I believe it will be a book the entire family can enjoy. You and your children can read about St. Patrick, Theodora, Alcuin, Wenceslas, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Johann Gutenberg and Martin Luther in an engaging story format with historically accurate information. Books like this make history come alive for children (and adults), and with a Bramley Books publication you don't have to worry about inappropriate content for your family.

My Rating
I give this book 5 stars for its quality content, lovely illustrations, and engaging stories. Don't miss the other books in this series What Really Happened in Ancient Times, and What Really Happened in Colonial Times. Both of these books are on my wish list.

Blessings,

Disclaimer: As an affiliate of Knowledge Quest Maps and Bramley Books I do earn a commission on purchases made through my links. I was not solicited to review this book. If you prefer to not use my affiliate link to purchase this book you may do so by visiting http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/What-Really-Happened-During-the-Middle-Ages.html

Free Books ~ Kindle on your PC

2010-11-06T20:12:00.001-05:00

I love free~ especially free books. I recently found that amazon has many books for free. The catch is that these books are formatted for use with the Kindle reader only. If you are like me and don’t have a Kindle, don’t fret. Kindle is available for your PC, and the best part is the download is free. I downloaded mine and the installation was simple. This reader is very easy to use and has several nice options. I was concerned about reading books on my computer as I didn’t want to strain my eyes, but the Kindle has a setting which allows you to change the background color/text. I prefer the sepia setting as it seems to be easiest on my eyes. I also like that the reader allows you to bookmark your place so that each time you open the book it returns you to the page where you were reading last. It also has a feature enabling you to search for words and phrases within the text. I didn’t want a fancy reader with lots of options I wouldn’t use and the Kindle for PC was great for my needs as it is simple to use.

Now for the free books! Amazon has many free Kindle books in the Kindle Store. I was able to download many G. A. Henty books for our family read alouds. Other books I downloaded are:

“The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” by Benjamin Franklin

“The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806” by Meriwether Lewis

“Common Sense” by Thomas Paine

“The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle” by Beatrix Potter

“Letters to His Children” by Theodore Roosevelt

“The Swiss Family Robinson” by Johann David Wyss

“Listening to God” by Charles F. Stanley… and many more.

I hope you will check out the Kindle for PC for yourself and load up on some great free books. Until next time...

Blessings,
Missy

The Fundamentals of Drawing with Barry Stebbing

2010-09-17T06:51:00.001-05:00

Drawing is a skill that at one time was considered a normal part of education, but no more. Now students must take private art lessons, or take art as an elective in high school if they want to learn the basic skills of drawing. Now you have another option. The Fundamentals of Drawing with Barry Stebbing is a 3 DVD set that covers the essential basics your blossoming artist needs to get a solid foundation in drawing.

About the Author
Barry Stebbing holds a degree in Art education from Salisbury University. He has taught art for many years, both in public education settings and privately. He has authored numerous books on art instruction and is not producing art instruction in DVD format. Mr. Stebbing's desire is to use his talents to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Stebbing said, "We foresee a revival in the arts, starting with our children, glorifying God through their talents; a revival to reclaim the arts through integrity and to, once again, touch the heart of mankind. Discipline, effort, goals and a program that emphasizes the fundamentals are the ingredients needed to prepare the next generation for the exciting times ahead." http://www.howgreatthouart.com/our-philosophy

My Rating
5 stars! My youngest daughter loves to draw and has been using various drawing instruction books for a couple of years. This DVD set has been great for teaching her some foundational techniques and skills that she was not learning in other art instructional books.

The Fundamentals of Beginning Drawing 3 DVD Set

By Barry Stebbing / American Family Association

Learn to draw like the old apprentices did-by watching a master! Follow Barry Stebbing as he walks beginners through six lessons that explain the fundamental principles of drawing. Ages 6 & up. 3 DVDs.
Lessons Include:

Fundamentals

Fundamentals Part 2

Perspective

Portraits & Anatomy

Animals

Treasures Around the Home

Other art titles by the author can be found here:

More art instruction from Barry Stebbing

Get yours and get started drawing!
Blessings,

Books About Famous Historical Figures

2010-09-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

Here is an older post that for some reason was never published. In reviewing it I think the information here is worth publishing.

People and places can be fascinating when we take the time to look, listen, and learn. Here are a few selected books about inspirational people that hopefully will inspire you.

The Lincoln Memorial
by Mary Firestone
Illustrated by Matthew Skeens

Have you ever wondered how the Lincoln Memorial was built? Who designed it? Who built it? In "The Lincoln Memorial", by Mary Firestone, Phillip will be your tour guide for the Lincoln Memorial, and he will tell you many interesting things about the building of this great monument in our nation's capital. The story flows well and most pages include snipits of more detailed information related to the story. The illustrations are cartoon like, and are cute so most children would probably enjoy them. Some additional resources are listed in the back such as books and websites. A well done book for children on the history of the Lincoln Memorial. This book would go well with a US history study, Presidents study, or study of our nations capital.

Leonardo, Beautiful Dreamer
by Robert Byrd

Leonardo DaVinci was an incredibly complex man. A genius in his own right, yet so misunderstood in his time. He had an incredible eye for detail, for which most of us today do not have the patience. This book tells the story of Leonardo's life in a detailed but easy flowing story. Along they way the reader not only learns of Leonardo's life and accomplishments, but also of the culture in which he lived. The lands and their cultures, myths, and people all had an impact on the life of this amazing man; and here we get a glimpse of some of it. The illustrations are many, complex, and beautiful. There are many illustrations of Leonardo's inventions, art, and how he visualized many of his theories and mechanical ideas. This is a wonderful book that will take some time to go through in order to get a good understanding of the times and the man. I have looked for a long time for a book on Da Vinci that would be of interest to kids yet provide an abundance of information on a level that they could understand and find interesting. This book fulfills these requirements and more.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
by Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

An amazingly rich telling, in illustration and word, of the life of an incredibly brave woman and the faith that drove her to do incredible things. Harriet Tubman endured horrific mistreatment at the hands of her masters, but she had an amazingly deep faith in the Lord. She eventually escaped to freedom, but she would go on to risk her life to guide others to freedom on the Underground Railroad. She led her brothers to freedom and eventually her parents as well, and was ultimately responsible for leading as many as three hundred slaves to freedom, never losing one along the way. The story is a poetic journey with Harriet, and is really a story of her faith. Be sure to read the authors note at the end of the book. The information there is much more detailed giving much of the details of her life story that you won't find in the book itself. A wonderful book for the study of slavery, the Civil War, or famous Americans.

Until next time....
Blessings,
Missy

Dinosaurs for Kids

2010-09-07T22:06:00.002-05:00

Dinosaurs for Kids by Ken Ham, illustrated by Bill Looney
If you are tired of the vast number of dinosaur books available on the market and in public libraries across the nation that do not present the scientific evidences of Creation and the Biblical history of the dinosaur this is just the book you've been hoping for. Ken Ham's 7 F's of Dinosaurs - formed, fearless, fallen, flood, faded, found, fiction - will bring the real story of the dinosaurs to life to you and the young people in your life.

About the Book
Dinosaurs for Kids discusses the details of different kinds of dinosaurs; deals with evolutionary theory - refuted scientifically and Biblically; describes how fossils are made; discusses dinosaurs on the ark, dinosaurs in light of Biblical history and more. Readers will learn to apologetically respond to secular assaults on the creation account. NOTE: Evolutionary views are presented in light of refuting them.

Book Stats
This book is published as a juvenile book, but is very informative and could be enjoyed by adults as well. ISBN 13: 978-0-89051-555-6 ISBN 10: 0-89051-555-7

About the Author
Ken Ham, President and CEO of Answers in Genesis USA and the Creation Museum, is an internationally known Christian conference speaker. He is the author of many books for children and adults which emphasize the reliability and authority of the Bible. For further information see

My Rating:
5 stars! This is a very informative book presented in an engaging way with wonderful illustrations, lots of side notes, and "fast facts". This is a must have for the bookshelf any Christian with influence in the lives of children.

Dinosaurs for Kids

By Ken Ham / Master Books

What should you do when a secular scientist talks about dinosaurs?
Why not ask 'Were you there?"
Why didn't the animals eat each other on the ark?
Perhaps God told them not to!
Dinosaurs for Kids is filled with computer-animated illustrations that accompany Ken Ham's fascinating explanation of dinosaurs. Firmly instructing children that an old-earth timetable and evolution are false, he clearly and candidly breaks through the confusion that can come from reading conflicting accounts of early earth history. Following the "ages" of dinosaurs: formed, fearless, fallen, flood, faded, found, & fiction, kids will see how dinosaurs walked with people, only grew violent after sin, survived the flood, and can only be rightly understood by those who have the truth! 64 pages, hardcover.

Order yours today!
Blessings,

Absotively Posilutely!

2010-09-04T22:06:00.001-05:00

No, I'm not having difficulty spelling or typing. You read the title of this book correctly...The Absotively, Posilutely Best Evidence for Creation by Carl Kerby, illustrated by Dan Lietha. Did you know there are 70 sextillion (70,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) stars visible using telescopes? Why is the bull giraffe's heart 2.5 feet long and as much as 25 lbs in weight? Answers to these questions and more are waiting to be discovered inside the pages of this book.

About the Book
Denny is excited about his visit to the Creation Museum. He has just learned the best evidence that God created the universe and all that is in it. As he tries to share this exciting information with his friends they teach him some amazing facts about the design of various animals in God's creation. Readers will learn about the giraffe, the frog, the universe, and dinosaurs. They will also learn about a Christian worldview vs. a non-Christian worldview, amazing facts about the Bible, and amazing facts about the Christian faith.

Book Stats
Appropriate for ages 8-14, but older young men and young women will enjoy it as well as adults. Published by Master Books (http://www.masterbooks.net). ISBN 13: 978-0-889051-494-8 ISBN10: 0-89051-494-1

About the Author
" Carl Kerby is among Answers in Genesis' most dynamic speakers. With a passion for communicating the truth of God's Word to young people, he is featured at numerous speaking events in churches and conferences across the country throughout the year. Carl and his family live in Kentucky near the ministry's popular Creation Museum." (excerpt from The Absotively, Posilutely Best Evidence for Creation by Carl Kerby)

My Rating
5 Stars! This is an excellent book that I think will be greatly enjoyed by the reader. The writer has crafted a great story centered around the truths of God's creation and a Christian worldview. This is a great way to teach young people some of the facts of the world God created in an enjoyable story format.

The Absotively, Posilutely Best Evidence for Creation

By Carl Kerby, illustrated by Dan Lietha / Master Books

Challenge your 8- to 14-year-olds to find evidence that God created the world! As they learn about the design of a giraffe's heart, frogs and tadpoles, stars in the universe, and worldview glasses, they'll discover that the most positive proof isn't always what you see---it's what's been right in front of you all along! 32 pages, hardcover from Master Books.

Get yours today!
Blessings,

The American Heritage Series on DVD

2010-04-01T13:30:00.004-05:00

What do you want your children to learn about the heritage of America? Would you like for them to learn how the Bible had great influence on the founding of our nation? Would you like for them to learn about some of the great black patriots; the truth about the relationship between the Church, the State and the 1st Amendment; or about the truth of the Biblical foundations of our Constitution? Many people in our nation do not know these things, or many of the other historical truths that are presented in these videos.

David Barton, a historian, author, and founder of WallBuilders, presents the historical background of our American heritage that most textbooks do not include. You will learn the truth about our founding fathers and of the impact of the Bible on the founding documents of our nation. David Barton goes back to the original documents as well as the original books, journals, and testimonies of the founders and those who knew them closely. The information provided in this DVD series is not conjecture, but fact based on the original documents themselves. Many historians and history texts refuse to acknowledge the influence of the Bible on our nation's founding and the beliefs of the founders in the Bible and the God of the Bible. This video series will bring all of this history to light. I truly believe that if we as a nation were to go back to teaching these truths it could change our nation for the better. The government schools are not going to teach these truths as they do not fit their view of history, but families can teach these truths to their children. One family at a time we can begin to turn the future of our nation back to God and His truths and impact the future for the glory of God and the benefit of mankind.

Here are a couple of quotes from one of the DVD's in the series:

Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, said, "The Bible...should be read in our schools in preference to all other books from its containing the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness."

Noah Webster said, "The brief exposition of the Constitution of the United States will unfold to young persons the principles of republican government; and ... our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible."

This series is suitable for the entire family, though younger children may not find it to be very interesting. Junior high and high school students should definitely view this series as a supplement to their American history courses. Parents should watch this series as well, so that they will know the truth it contains and can teach it to their children or be able to answer their children's questions properly. The series is available at a wide variety of stores on the web, and as always can be purchased by clicking the link below.

The American Heritage Series on DVD

By David Barton / Bridgestone Group

Experience the true untold story of our nation's godly heritage! From the separation of church and state to the civil rights movement, from the courage of our Founding Fathers to the building of our nation's monuments, historian David Barton explores the spiritual, educational, judicial, and cultural influences that molded America's Judeo-Christian values. Twenty-six 30-minute episodes on 10 DVDs. Closed-captioned.

For more information on David Barton and his WallBuilders ministry click here:
WallBuilders.com

Blessings,

Homestead Blessings DVD Series

2010-03-23T00:09:00.003-05:00

I don't usually review DVD's but I have an opportunity to do so and enter a contest to win a DVD, so I'm taking that opportunity. First I'll tell you about the DVD's, then if you are interested in the contest information scroll down past the video for information on how you can enter.

My dd has one video from the Homestead Blessings series and we have enjoyed watching and learning from the information provided. She has the DVD titled The Art of Soap Making, and in it we learned from the West ladies (Vicki, Jasmine, Hannah, Ce Ce) the process of making lye soap using the basic ingredients of lye, water, and fats (vegetable shortning & coconut oil). They provide some options for making soaps that will remove odors from your hands, soaps that are scented with your favorite fragrances, and a variety of soap sizes and shapes for decorating your home or for gift giving. The information is presented in a very relaxed conversational manner making the videos enjoyable to watch. What began as a 3 video series has now grown to a 9 video series covering soap making, bread making, candle making, gardening, herbs, canning, sewing, dairy delights, and cooking. The DVDs are produced by Franklin Springs Family Media. I'll post the trailer for the soap making DVD that we have, but you can see the trailers to the other 8 DVD's at the Franklin Springs link above. These DVD's are also available at the Homestead Blessings website and at Christian Book Distributors.

Now for the contest information. Tiffany at As For My House is hosting a giveaway of the three newest DVD's from the West ladies. Go to her website to see her reviews and learn how you can enter to win: As For My House

Blessings,
Missy

Apologia Elementary Science Curriculum

2010-03-15T00:34:00.002-05:00

I love to get school materials at a discount. Don't you? I thought there may be some of you who were already purchasing school books for next year (or more for this year). We have used this series of science books for a few years now and really love them. Apologia has an excellent reputation in the home school community and my experience with this curriculum has been great. The books are written in a conversational style so that your children will enjoy reading them. They are packed with great information about the creatures being studied - all from a Creation point of view. The science in these books is not skimpy. Your child will learn! They will expand their vocabulary through learning the meanings of the root words of the names of the kingdom, phylum, etc. to which the animals belong. They will learn about the habitats, feeding habits, and special features of the animals. They will learn about symbiotic relationships, defense mechanisms, and how they reproduce. (Reproduction is covered at a simple level without the details that your child may not be ready to learn.)

I think that these books are going to challenge most children to learn details that other curricula will not provide, but will not overwhelm most students. Your students will find the text and pictures enjoyable. You, the teacher, will have opportunity to have your child recall to you what they are learning through narration periodically through each lesson. Notebook assignments and experiments at the end of each lesson are a great way to have hands on activities and record what has been learned. Each book also comes with a password to give you access to the course web-site where you will find links to more information, videos, pictures, etc. of the topics covered in the lesson.

I'm planning to purchase the Land Animals of the Sixth Day title (along with the new notebook journals they have for the books in this series) for my youngest daughter for next school year. If you are looking for a great science curriculum this is it!

Now through March 31st these books are on sale at Christian Book Distributors. Interested in getting in on this sale? The link is below.

33% off Apologia Elementary Curriculum

You can also get more information at the authors web site: http://www.jeanniefulbright.com/science.html

Happy Shopping!
Missy

Civil War

2009-09-25T13:09:00.003-05:00

While searching for some good books on the Civil War I found the book titled Civil War A-Z by Norman Bolotin. I found this to be a great resource book for middle school students as it gives a brief overview of events and people involved in the Civil War. The entries are arranged in alphabetical order and some contain pictures. I will add that there are a couple of photos that are difficult to view such as war dead on the battlefield and a survivor of a prison camp who is a mere skeleton. Some families feel it is appropriate for their middle school children to view these images as it is a realistic view of war. The book also contains a timeline of events in the back of the book that we have found to be very helpful in our studies.

If you are looking for a book that will give your students some insight into how the war affected families on both sides try this title. It is easy to read and won't take as long to read as a novel or chapter book would. This will be helpful if your study of this time period is brief.

Yankee Blue or Rebel Gray? A Family Divided by the Civil War by Kate Connell and Nancy Feresten is the story of two sisters and their families during the Civil War. One family lives in the North and the other family in the South. Both families have sons serving in their respective armies. During the course of the war the sisters write letters to one another describing the events of the war that have touched their lives as well as their feelings about the war and the involvement of their sons. In addition, the youngest son of the family in the South keeps a journal that his older brother left him before he enlisted. Commentary by the author is scattered throughout the book to explain the events surrounding the letters and journal entries. This book is a fictional account based on events during the war.

Our family is currently listening to one chapter per day of G.A. Henty's book With Lee in Virginia. So far I have found it to be interesting. It is written from a Confederate point of view as the story focuses mainly on a young man, the son of a Southern planter, who is against the ill treatment of slaves. This may be a rare view for someone from a Southern slave holding family during the Civil War period, but I think it does give some insight into a side of the story that is rarely told. The relationship between the young man, Vincent, and his personal slave is woven into the story as well. This type of fictional work I believe has merit in providing a different point of view for the listener than is normally portrayed in literature of this type.

There are several places to purchase this book and in several formats. If you are interested in an audio of this book I would recommend the MP3 audio CD from Vision Forum Ministries. I prefer the voice and reading style of this narrator (Jim Hodges) over the one that is offered on Amazon.com. You will find the links to the Vision Forum Ministries selections at the bottom of this post.

If you are interested in getting this book in audio or Kindle from Amazon.com just use the search box on the left and type in "With Lee in Virginia". You will find a set of links on the Amazon page that will list links for both these formats. Here is the link for the book on Amazon.com.

The book is also available on Vision Forum Ministries website: https://www.visionforum.com/search/productdetail.aspx?search=with+lee+in+virginia&productid=24325

as is the MP3 audio CD: https://www.visionforum.com/search/productdetail.aspx?search=with+lee+in+virginia&productid=89749

For instant download of the above listed Vision Forum Ministries audio of With Lee in Virginia you can purchase from BlueBehemoth.com (a division of Vision Forum Ministries): http://bluebehemoth.com/album/51944/

Enjoy!

Jonathon Park - Adventure, Creation Science, and FUN!

2009-05-10T14:51:00.000-05:00

As a homeschooling parent I have long desired to instill in my children an awe for the wonders of God's creation. When they were very young that task was a little more simple, but as they've grown older their minds require more detailed information. Not only do I want them to understand that all of the nature they see around them was brought forth by their Creator, but I want them to understand how science provides evidence for their Creator and His mighty works of creation. Using a wonderful science text such as Apologia science has helped tremendously. However, I found something that they can enjoy outside of "school" hours that provides them with not only scientific evidence of the Creator, but also hours of enjoyment. The Jonathon Park audio series is a fascinating audio adventure series that provides hours of family friendly entertainment and teaches children (and adults as well) how science provides strong evidence for the Creator. If you are looking for wholesome, quality, Christian entertainment for your family with the added benefit of teaching them something of value I suggest you try the Jonathon Park audios. Titles are available individually or as a set. You can find more information by clicking on the links below.

My Rating: 5 stars for quality entertainment, strong scientific evidence for Creation communicated in a way that young and old alike can understand, and for the adventurous well scripted story lines.

Find out more about Jonathon Park at Vision Forum

or

at Christian Book Distributors by clicking on the links or images below

Jonathan Park Volume 1: The Adventure Begins, Audio CD

By The Vision Forum, Inc

Jonathan Park Volume 2: No Looking Back, Audio CD

By The Vision Forum, Inc

Jonathan Park Volume 3: The Winds of Change, Audio CD

By The Vision Forum, Inc

Jonathan Park Volume 4: The Hunt for Beowulf, Audio CD

By The Vision Forum, Inc

Jonathan Park Volume 5: The Explorer's Society, Audio CD

By The Vision Forum, Inc

Jonathan Park Volume VI: The Journey Never Taken

By The Vision Forum, Inc

Additional packaging options and other items related to Jonathon Park

Jonathan Park Audiodramas on CD, Volumes 1-5

By The Vision Forum, Inc

Jonathan Park Goes to the Zoo Audio CD Set (4 CDs)

By Pat Roy / The Vision Forum, Inc

Jonathan Park Goes to the Aquarium Audio CD Set

By The Vision Forum, Inc

Jonathan Park Communicator Watches (2-Pack)

By The Vision Forum, Inc

Jonathan Park & the Secret of the Hidden Cave

By Sandy Roy / New Leaf Publishing Group

Blessings,
Missy

2008-12-07T17:31:00.001-06:00

Yay! The Duggars: 20 and Counting is finally available! My family has been following the adventures of this Christian home schooling family for several years as they have grown from 14 children to 18 children (#18 due Jan. 1, 2009). We have been encouraged by their strong Christian convictions, their desire to develop Godly character in themselves and their children, and how they manage home, family, and home schooling. Get your copy now and be encouraged by the story of their family.

The Duggars: 20 and Counting!

By Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar / Howard Books

Take a close inside look at the supersize Duggar family (18 children plus parents)! Since their first documentary on the Discovery Health Network, viewers have been fascinated with the story of this couple's faith and belief that children are a blessing from God. Their first book, The Duggars: 20 and Counting, is an inspiring and entertaining collection of stories, photos, recipes, tips, traditions, and practical ideas designed to answer the questions of the curious. Some of the questions they answer are "Why do you have so many children?", "How do you provide for your family financially?", "How do you handle mealtimes...transportation... laundry...birthdays?", "How are your children so well behaved?", and "Why do all your children have names that begin with J?". Adopt a few ideas from the Duggars and improve the peace and love inside the walls of your own home. Paperback.

Blessings,
Missy

**************************UPDATE**************************************************

I read this book cover to cover when I purchased it and I loved it. I would suggest it to anyone who would like to learn more about the day to day details of how this large family functions and thrives. There is a lot of the history of Jim Bob and Michelle's growing up years and how they met, including their testimony and how God has been at work in their lives. It is a wonderful testimony and would be a great encouragement to you. I read portions of it to the family, leaving out certain sections that were not applicable to young children. My children and husband enjoyed hearing about their lives and seeing God's hand at work in them. They are such an encouragement and I hope they write another book later. If you haven't gotten your copy I would encourage you to do so soon.

Blessings,
Missy

Girls' Best Book of Knitting, Sewing and Embroidery

2008-09-26T16:39:00.000-05:00

What a great little book! This is an excellent book for introducing knitting, sewing, and embroidery skills to young girls, and it is packed with information. The text and illustrations introduce the reader to the tools needed, stitching instructions, how to use a pattern, and much more. Some sections include practice cards and templates. There are also projects to make with instructions, supply lists, and illustrations. The image of the girl on the front cover is actually a pop out doll (the cover is heavy duty board). Some of the projects in the book are for making clothes for the doll on the front cover. This book would be fun for girls ages 9-12 who want to learn a little about knitting, sewing, and embroidery.

Animal Books Worth Roaring About

2008-05-21T01:36:00.000-05:00

Here are some great books about animals. I found all of these at my local library. Some of them have a spiritual application, and others just teach us about the wonders of God's creation. If your student is studying animals, or has a love for animals, these books would be great additions to your reading list.

The Camel's Lament
A poem by Charles Edward Carryl
Illustrated by Charles Santore

This is a cute book that compares the camel and it's abilities to other animals in the animal kingdom. We all know that the camel is not really an exciting animal, but it is a very useful creature, as are all of God's creation. The book is filled with cute and colorful illustrations, and the smooth rhythmic flow of the text will keep your child's attention. A very cute book for a not so cute animal.

Violet Comes to Stay
by Jan Karon
Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Jan Karon, author of the Mitford series, is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely fell in love with the Mitford series, and somehow along the way realized that she also had authored several children's books. "Violet Comes to Stay" is one of my favorites of her children's books. There is such an endearing quality to the story and the beautiful illustrations. It is the story of a kitten named Violet who feels as if she doesn't quite fit in and isn't wanted by anyone. Violet is taken in by several owners, but it seems that everywhere she goes she makes a mistake and is returned to her mother. Finally just the right person adopts Violet and she finds unconditional love and a sense of security in her new home. This is a wonderful story that reminds us that God has a plan for each of us just as He had a plan for Violet.

Tigress
by Nick Dowson
Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Tigress follows the life a mother tiger from just before she gives birth to her cubs through the day that her cubs go off on their own. Vivid illustrations throughout the book portray the scenes of the daily life and struggles of a tiger raising cubs on her own. The text is two fold - it is a good story, and it provides facts about tigers and how they live. This book would be a great addition to an animals study, jungle study, or study on countries where tigers are native. This book is also available with audio. For more information click here: Tigress with Audio: Read, Listen, & Wonder

The Web at Dragonfly Pond
by Brian "Fox" Ellis
Illustrated by Michael S. Maydak

A true life story told by the person who experienced it. As a young boy the author learned a great deal about the ecology of the pond as he spent many days fishing it's waters. As you read you will learn about the food chain in pond life. The illustrations of the habitat and the insects, amphibians, and animals that live in the pond are spectacularly detailed and brilliantly colored. This is a great book for the study of this particular habitat or any of the creatures that live in it. There are a couple of pages at the back of the book that provide further information on the creatures that are discussed in the book. The information is very well stated and in a manner that children can easily understand, just be sure to read it before giving it over to your children in case there are any statements that are of concern to you. I read the book aloud to my children and we discussed it without problem. There were a couple of areas such as the father making a comparison of the changes a human goes through from conception to adulthood as compared to the changes that a dragonfly goes through in its lifecycle. I don't think the author intended it to sound as if human and dragonfly were the same, but I did make sure that my children understood this comparison he was making. All in all this is an excellent book.

I hope you enjoy reading and learning about animals. Be sure to check back soon as I have some books on historical people to review. Most of us are embarking on the summer break, but while you are out for the summer don't forget to keep reading! Take part in a summer reading program through your local library or join in with other homeschoolers as we splash into summer with the Summer Reading Splash sponsored by The Old Schoolhouse. Whatever you choose to do read, read read!

Blessings,
Missy

The Queen's Progress: An Elizabethan Alphabet by Celeste Mannis

2008-05-08T00:23:00.000-05:00

"The Queen's Progress: An Elizabethan Alphabet" is much more than an alphabet book. It is the story of the long journey that Queen Elizabeth I would take into the English countryside each year to see the state of her kingdom and enjoy being among her subjects. As we watch this journey unfold in the pages of this book we learn much about Queen Elizabeth I, her court, and her subjects. The alphabet rhyme, details of the journey and the stops made along the way, the personal information about the Queen and those traveling with her, and the amazingly detailed illustrations will draw the reader into the travels of this most beloved Queen. I could not take my eyes off some of the pages to read the text because the illustrations were so beautiful. The illustrator, Bagram Ibatoulline, did not spare the details or the richness of color and embellishments. My children enjoyed trying to see on how many pages three of the characters would appear as I read the book aloud and showed the pictures. I would highly recommend this book for your 3rd through 7th graders. As an added bonus for us we read this book upon recommendation of our curriculum publisher (My Father's World) after finishing a brief overview of the life of Queen Elizabeth I, so it would be a wonderful addition to your Middle Ages studies.

Blessings,
Missy

The Quest for Seven Castles

2008-01-29T19:28:00.000-06:00

View a trailer for the Terrestria Chronicles book series

The Quest for Seven Castles
by Ed Dunlop

Dunlop Ministries

And beside this, giving all diligence,

add to your faith VIRTUE;
and to virtue KNOWLEDGE;
and to knowledge TEMPERANCE;
and to temperance PATIENCE;
and to patience GODLINESS;
and to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS;
and to brotherly kindness CHARITY.
for if these things be in you and abound,
they make you that ye shall neither
be barren nor unfruitful
in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Peter 1:5-8

Thus begins The Quest for Seven Castles. If you are looking for a Biblically based fiction series for young readers then look no further. Ed Dunlop has hit a home run with the Terrestria Chronicles series. God has truly gifted this man to communicate, as no other has yet been able, the simple truths of the Christian life in a juvenile fiction series. The books are well written, teach Biblically sound principles of living the Christian life, and offer young readers a great deal of adventure along the way. They are written simply enough that young readers can make the connection between the allegory and the real life principle, yet are thought provoking and provide sound theology. Set in the Middle Ages these books will be an excellent addition to your Middle Ages studies as well. We use these books as family read-a-louds so that we are able to learn and discuss these Biblical principles together, but recently my son began reading the first book in the series on his own because the books are so great. With each book we read from this series my kids beg for "one more chapter" because the stories are so captivating. If you have a youth in your life that does not know the Lord Jesus Christ I would strongly urge you to put these books into their hands immediately. Book one in the series (The Sword, the Ring, and the Parchment) begins with the best illustration of salvation that I have ever read. What a great way to reach a young person for Christ!

In The Quest for Seven Castles Young Prince Josiah must leave the Castle of Faith to go on a quest for seven castles...the Castle of Virtue, the Castle of Knowledge, the Castle of Temperance, the Castle of Patience, the Castle of Godliness, the Castle of Brotherly Kindness, and the Castle of Charity. Along the way he will encounter many difficulties. He will be tempted to let pride keep him from always being on guard against his enemy, to cheat someone to accomplish his own goal, to disobey because he thinks it won't harm anyone, and to avoid being completely truthful. He will encounter the skeptic who twists the truth to deceive him causing him to doubt the promises of his King. He will learn to see others as King Emmanuel sees them, and to be forgiving. He will learn to trust his King to provide for all of his needs even when the enemy attempts to mislead him, and he will learn compassion and sacrifice in order to save another's life. Most importantly Prince Josiah will learn to listen to the voice of the Dove, to use his Book as his guide and his weapon, and to trust King Emmanuel. This book is as exciting as the first in this series (The Sword, the Ring and the Parchment), but more importantly it will cause you to examine your own life and your service to your King.

As an added bonus Ed Dunlop has made available for this seven book series a study guide called Visits to Terrestria. We have found that this guide adds another level of understanding to the Christian life principles being presented in the books. The study guide covers all seven books in the series, and includes questions from each chapter with a list of fun activities you can try. After we finish our daily reading from the book I use the questions in the study guide to make sure that the kids have a good understanding of what has happened in the story thus far. This also serves as a great review of what we have read and helps the kids to remember more from the books. The study guide is available for purchase from Dunlop Ministries. You will also find the answer key available on their web-site as a free download.

Where can you get the books?

I'm glad you asked! The books are available for purchase as individual titles or as a set from Dunlop Ministries. You can even request that the author autograph your copies.

In addition you will find these books available for purchase through the following links:

From Christian Book Distributors:

The Terrestria Chronicles, Volumes 1-7

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

The Sword, the Ring & the Parchment, The Terrestria Chronicles #1

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

* Travel back in time to a land where royalty lives, castles rise, and dragons roam! Terrestria is the realm of good King Emmanuel. But the country is torn! Evil blacksmith Argamor wants the throne. Who will win the war? And why has young Josiah been chosen to be a royal prince? Ages 10 and up. 187 pages, softcover from Dunlop Ministries.

The Quest for Seven Castles, The Terrestria Chronicles #2

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

The Search for Everyman, The Terrestria Chronicles #3

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

* Travel back in time to a land where royalty lives, castles rise, and dragons roam! Prince Josiah, Princess Gilda, and Prince Selwyn race to deliver the King's pardon to condemned Adam Everyman. But Argamor's forces are determined to stop them! Will the young warriors find the dungeon before it's too late? Ages 10 and up. 161 pages, softcover from Dunlop Ministries.

The Crown of Kuros, The Terrestria Chronicles #4

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

* Travel back in time to a land where royalty lives, castles rise, and dragons roam! When a priceless crown is stolen, the knights frantically search for the treasure. But only Prince Josiah can recover the prize. Does he have the courage to fight an impossible battle---and face an unanswerable question? Ages 10 and up. 189 pages, softcover from Dunlop Ministries.

The Dragon's Egg, The Terrestria Chronicles #5

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

* Travel back in time to a land where royalty lives, castles rise, and dragons roam! When Gilda and Selwyn refuse a forbidden gift, bedazzled Prince Josiah accepts. Nobody will know! But when a fierce dragon terrorizes the kingdom, Josiah is powerless to control the beast---and his deceitful heart is revealed. Ages 10 and up. 199 pages, softcover from Dunlop Ministries.

The Golden Lamps, The Terrestria Chronicles #6

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

* Travel back in time to a land where royalty lives, castles rise, and dragons roam! King Emmanuel commands that a castle be built to protect a small village from Argamor's attack. Construction goes well until the workers discover mysterious lamps. Will the powerful lights doom the project---and the people? Ages 10 and up. 201 pages, softcover from Dunlop Ministries.

The Great War, The Terrestria Chronicles #7

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

* Travel back in time to a land where royalty lives, castles rise, and dragons roam! The war for control of Terrestria has come to a climax. Evil Argamor's determined to capture Princess Gilda---causing a final defeat for Prince Josiah and the Castle of Faith. Will King Emmanuel stop the dark forces? Ages 10 and up. 205 pages, softcover from Dunlop Ministries.

Visits to Terrestria Study Guide

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

* Young readers and their parents will love the adventures and powerful imagery of The Terrestria Chronicles. And you'll appreciate the spiritual truths this allegory teaches! Covering all seven books of the series, this guide prompts family discussions of its life-changing message. An answer key is available as a free download. 115 reproducible pages, spiralbound softcover from Dunlop Ministries

From Amazon:

Janette Oke's Animal Friends Series

2008-01-11T17:47:00.000-06:00

Janette Oke is not only a wonderful adult Christian fiction writer, but has also written some wonderful books with Christian themes for children. Her book series titled "Janette Oke's Animal Friends" would be a wonderful addition to your children's library. Each story beautifully illustrates how God uses people and animals to minister to those in need. These stories will inspire your children to think of the needs of others and to ask how God might want to use them to help someone else. These books are not new, but are definitely worth posting about since they are so beautifully written.

The "review" listed with each book came from Christian Book Distributor's web-site. We have read many of the books in this series, but not all of them, so I thought it best to provide the "review" given by CBD rather than my own for each book. Ordinarily I do not post book reviews on my site that I do not write myself, but in this case I am making an exception. I trust that that books that we have not read in this series will be as good as the books that we have read, and I hope that you will find these books to be as inspiring for your children as they have been for mine.

Spunky's Diary, Animal Friends Series #1

By Janette Oke / Bethany

Spunky is like most other puppies--curious and frisky, and always creating mischief. Even though he stumbles into trouble a lot, he still manages to warm his way into the hearts of his family. They can't help but love their silly dog.

But one day, Spunky's curiosity leads to serious danger, and he finds himself far from home with no hope of getting back. Will his family find him in time? It takes a lesson in obedience to teach Spunky that rules are not meant to be broken. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

The Prodigal Cat, Animal Friends Series #2

By Janette Oke / Bethany

Mittens is sure there is no other cat as wonderful as she. She's smart, beautiful, and very proud of herself. So it's no surprise when Mittens decides she can manage just fine on her own.

But without a caring family to take care of her, Mittens learns the hard way she can't do everything herself. What will it take for Mittens to realize it's okay to depend on others? Can she humble herself and learn to let others help her? Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

The Impatient Turtle, Animal Friends Series #3

By Janette Oke / Bethany

Pogo had one goal in life--to have fun. New thrills, new excitement, he wanted it all.

But Pogo also had a problem. Because he was a turtle, he couldn't do most of the fun and exciting things he saw those lucky boys doing who visited his pond. And this made Pogo very angry.

Angry, that is, until he discovered why he was made like he was. Then, being a turtle didn't seem so bad. In fact, it was kind of special. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

New Kid In Town, Animal Friends Series #5

By Janette Oke / Bethany

Out for a walk one day, Fuzzle is separated from his family. Alone for the first time in his life, he must find his own food and a place to sleep. If only he could get some help from the other animals in the forest....

When he tries to make friends, though, no one will speak to him, and he doesn't know why. All he wants is someone to play with. But what Fuzzle doesn't know is that God gave him a secret weapon--one that will make him a hero if he can discover it in time. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Ducktails, Animal Friends Series #6

By Janette Oke / Bethany

Quackery and his duckling brothers and sisters are very busy learning the ins and outs of being a duck--how to swim, where to eat, and how to steer clear of danger. They're anxious to grow up and know all there is to know--especially his brother Zackery.

Then Zackery and a friend decide to quit listening to their parents. When they head off to explore where it's not safe, Quackery doesn't know what to do. Will Quackery have to choose between doing the right thing or being with his friends? Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Maury Had a Little Lamb, Animal Friends Series #9

By Janette Oke / Bethany

Poor Shandy. His mother already has two lambs and can't take care of another. That means he'll be bottle-fed--and live in the farmhouse with the people! Shandy loves his new family, especially the boy Maury, who takes such good care of him.

Soon Shandy is too big to stay in the house. And outside, he finds all sorts of mischief to get into. But when he tries to make friends, the other sheep want nothing to do with him. Shandy just wants to be with others like him. Will he ever belong?

A Cote of Many Colors, Animal Friends #11

By Janette Oke / Bethany

Mark and Timmie's landlord has a whole loft of prize-winning homing pigeons, but the gruff man said "absolutely no pets" when he rented the small house to the boys' mother. So Mark and Timmie can only watch from across the fence and wish they had a pet of their own.

But what will happen when their landlord is hospitalized and can't care for his pigeons? How will Blue Boy and the other pigeons survive without the watchful eye and care of their owner? Will the boys' dream for their very own pet ever come true? Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Who's New At the Zoo?, Animal Friends #12

By Janette Oke / Bethany

Barnaby is the youngest gorilla in his troop and the first born in Roxbury Zoo, making him a hit with zoo visitors. The sign outside his den announces that Barnaby is "Number One!" Between adventures with his brother and special attention from just about everyone, Barnaby thinks life is perfect.

But when another baby gorilla arrives, Barnaby's sign is replaced with one for her. On top of that, she seems to steal his spotlight. What will make Barnaby special when he's no longer what draws the crowds? Recommended for ages 6 to 10.

Other titles in this series (available through Amazon)

This Little Pig

Prairie Dog Town

Trouble in a Fur Coat

Pordy's Prickly Problem

Blessings,
Missy

Art Fraud Detective - Spot the Difference, Solve the Crime!

2008-01-10T16:47:00.000-06:00

by Anna Nilsen, A Kingfisher Book

My daughter had so much fun with this book that my other children hardly had a chance to get into the book.

The book begins with a mysterious caller contacting the old security guard, Mr. Bassett, at the Museum of Art. The caller alerts the guard that 30 of the gallery's paintings have been stolen and replaced with fakes. There are four gangs of art forgers who are suspects in the thefts and you get to be the "clever private detective" to find out which paintings in the gallery are forgeries.

Using a magnifying glass (included in the book), and the "Museum of Art Catalog" (which contains photos of the 34 original works of art on display in the museum) you must compare the originals in the catalog to the art work in the museum. You have to look for symbols that link the artwork to one of the 4 gangs of forgers, and the number of differences you find between the forgery and the original determines the gang member who forged it. All of the information you find is recorded on a chart (which you will make by following the example in the book). When you've examined all of the artwork and charted your findings you will have solved the mystery. Answers are in the back of the book if you need help.

Degas, Van Gogh, Monet, and Da Vinci are just a few of the artists featured in this book.

MY RATING: 5 stars for keeping kids interested, giving them an up close experience with 34 of the world’s art masterpieces, and providing some information on the artists and their style of painting, as well as background on the paintings themselves.

NOTE: While there are no art pieces in this book that contain nudity there are a couple of pieces that you may not be comfortable with. One is titled "Venus and Mars" by Sandro Botticelli which shows a man that is only covered in the most private of places. The text reveals this painting to be Venus, the goddess of love, watching her sleeping lover. The other is "A Grotesque Old Woman" by Quinten Massys which portrays an old woman in a very low cut dress.

Other books by this Author:

I haven’t had the opportunity to look at these books, but found through some searching on the internet that Anna Nilsen has written other art books. I cannot endorse these books because I haven't seen them, but wanted to make you aware that they are available.

The Great Art Scandal: Solve the Crime, Save the Show! By Anna Nilsen

Art Auction Mystery by Anna Nilsen

Blessings and happy reading,
Missy

Thanksgiving Book Reviews and Resources

2007-11-02T21:33:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away, and if your home is like mine this is a busy time. I wanted to help you by providing a list of wonderful resources for your Thanksgiving studies and some great Thanksgiving books to read during the holiday. So, here are a few of "my favorite things".

My favorite Thanksgiving studies for school are....

Thanksgiving unit study by Amanda Bennett

Thanksgiving Notebooking Pages by Amanda Bennett

We used the Thanksgiving Learn N' Folder by Live N' Learn Press last year, but I'm not finding it on their web-site or on Homeschool E Store anymore. I believe it is still available through their yahoo group, but you must be a member (Click Here for Information). So, since I cannot find it I'll give you a couple of substitutes. I've not had experience with these particular lapbooks, but have used products from both of these companies before and been very well pleased with them. So, here they are....

Thanksgiving Lapbook by Knowledge Box Central

Thanksgiving Project Pack by In the Hands of a Child

Now for some of our family's favorite Thanksgiving themed books.....

1621: A Look at Thanksgiving...This is the Wamponoag side of the Thanksgiving story. It pictures a more accurate account of the tribe and their role in the first Thanksgiving, and offers some wonderful insight into the life of the tribe. Beautiful photography of actors in costume at Plimoth Plantation help make this telling even more realistic. If you are looking for a more true to life telling of these events without the biases that are often included in the traditional telling of the Thanksgiving story this book will be a great addition to your study.

Tapenum's Day: A Wamponoag Boy in Pilgrim Times....This story takes you through a day in the life of a Native American boy. Tapenum is not a historical person, but rather a fictionalized person, and the events of the book represent the ideas of what the daily life of the tribe during the time of the pilgrims might truly be like. The book is filled with beautiful full color photographs that makes the imagery come to life.

Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy

and

Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl

Each book follows it's respective child through the activities of a typical day in the time of the Pilgrims. These books too are filled with full color photographs of actors in period costume. These are wonderful resources for bringing the reality of Pilgrim life to your children.

Three Young Pilgrims....This story is centered on three real children who sailed on the Mayflower to the "New World" in 1620, and follows their lives for a period of one year. In reading this book you and your children will begin to understand the hardships, sadness, and joys this family and others experienced as they fled their native country in search of a land where they could worship freely, and as they struggled through the difficulties of their first winter in the "New World". In the reading of this book you will experience sadness at the death of friends and family and of the disease that struck so many in this time, therefore carefully consider sharing this with a very young child. The story is beautifully illustrated and will draw your children into the lives of these children.

I hope you will enjoy some great books this month and learn more about the real story behind the holiday we celebrate with a turkey dinner.

Blessings,
Missy

Exciting News...Terrestria Chronicles

2007-11-02T20:48:00.000-05:00

WOW! I'm so excited.

Ed Dunlop, author of The Terrestria Chronicles has posted my review of The Sword, the Ring, and the Parchment on his web-site.

Thank you Mr. Dunlop! It is an honor!

You can read my review at the above link or right here on this blog. Stay tuned because more reviews in this series are coming soon!

Blessings,
Missy

Terrestria Chronicles and Pebbly Brook Farm Reviews

2007-10-17T15:20:00.000-05:00

The Sword, the Ring, and the Parchment
book 1 of 7 books in
The Terrestria Chronicles

Series by Ed Dunlop

I am always looking for good books for family read-a-louds or for the kids to read on their own. I want their reading to keep them interested, be morally pure, God honoring, and educational at the same time. As you know books that meet these standards are very difficult to find. I came across a contest on HomeschoolBlogger and I was a little hesitant to enter. I wouldn't have normally entered for this particular prize because I don't care for the Lord of the Rings and such books like them, but I really felt the Lord urging me to enter, so I did.

Sometime later I found that I had won the first book in the series, The Sword, the Ring, and the Parchment. When it arrived I decided to read it myself before using it as a read-a-loud with my kids, or letting one of them read it. I wanted to be sure that it was up to my standards. Well, I must tell you that I am amazed. I could hardly put the book down. I would sit up late at night after everyone was gone to bed to read this book. The Biblical truths touched my heart so. Many passages would remind me of situations I had faced in life, and how the choices that I had made brought me to a place of despair or hardship. Other passages have reminded me of the glorious love of Christ our Redeemer! God has used this book in my heart in ways that I cannot express. I've been a Christian for 26 years, and it has been a long time since reading a fictional book has moved my spirit in the way that this book has.

Here are some things I like about the book:

* It very accurately and simply portrays redemption, without adding man's ideas.

* It is theology wrapped in an exciting story.

* It offers great encouragement in your Christian walk.

* Through the example of Prince Josiah you will learn to avoid his mistakes, and to always remember to keep your focus on the mission of your King.

* The story, in parts, has the flavor of familiar children's stories such as Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, or Robin Hood, yet it isn't child-like. The story would interest a wide range of ages. The book says for ages 10 and up, but I will be reading it to all of my children, including the 8 year old, this year.

* Though fictional in nature this book contains a wealth of truth, both from a Biblical perspective and from a historical perspective. There is even a list of "Castle Facts" in the back of the book.

* This is a great evangelical tool! So many kids are into fantasy books that have no God honoring qualities. I think those kids would probably enjoy reading this series as well, and would get a full dose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ while reading it. The author has even included a page at the back of the book on "Becoming a Child of the King".

* It leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen to Josiah next. Sometimes you are cheering him on in a sword fight, and other times you are urging him "don't go that way"!

* It is a short enough read that middle school aged children (5th-7th grades) could read it, but would probably be too much for elementary ages unless they are advanced readers. It will make an excellent read-a-loud for the entire family.

An Excerpt from the Book: " And then Josiah saw the King. A tall, commanding figure arrayed in an elegant scarlet robe, the King had eyes that burned like fire, and his smile radiated love and concern. Josiah gazed in wonder at the King’s countenance. Never before had he seen such a kind face.

Josiah stole a glance at Argamor, and to his amazement, saw that the cruel blacksmith and his two henchmen were trembling. Who is this King? Josiah wondered in astonishment. I wouldn’t have known that Argamor was afraid of anyone!

“I have come for the lad,” the King said quietly.

The author's description of the book: "Young Josiah lives in the kingdom of Terrestria, the realm of good King Emmanuel. Yet the land is at war. Evil, cruel Argamor wants the throne. And he has loyal followers placed strategically throughout the kingdom. Who will win the battle for Terrestria, and on which side will Josiah find himself?"

Here is a list of titles in the series:

The Sword, The Ring, and the Parchment

The Quest for Seven Castles

The Search for Everyman

The Crown of Kuros

The Dragon's Egg

The Golden Lamps

The Great War

These books are available through the author's web-site DunlopMinistries.com. Please visit their site to place your order today. Your family will be blessed immensly. If you find that you like these books please suggest to your local bookstore that they stock this series, and pass the information along to your friends and family. Feel free to post a link on your blog or web-site to our review so that others can learn about these terrific books too!

Upate 01/08!
These books are now available from the following online stores:

From Christian Book Distributors:

The Terrestria Chronicles, Volumes 1-7

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

The Quest for Seven Castles, The Terrestria Chronicles #2

By Ed Dunlop / Dunlop Ministries

From Amazon:

The Pebbly Brook Farm Stories
Character Building Stories
for Boys & Girls

Written by Claire Novak
and narrated by Jill Novak

Join Katie Robinson, her brother Joseph, and her little sisters, Christine and Anna. You'll find them waiting for you at Pebbly Brook Farm. Set in the days of the Great Depression, these truly delightful stories will teach your children unforgettable character lessons. You'll want to listen to them over and over again!

My review: When Katie, Joseph, Christine, and Anna Robinson, along with their parents, move to Pebbly Brook Farm to live with their grandparents during the time of the Great Depression it takes a little time to adjust to the move. As the children begin to settle in they learn some valuable life lessons.

This review is a little different for me than the normal reviews. This is a collection of stories in 6 CD set of audio stories. All of the stories are based on a family member of the author, and are set on a Northern Illinois farm during the time this family member was a boy. This CD collection is set to be released November 1, 2007, and is brought to us by Remembrance Press. I was able to preview the first story titled "The Discovery of Pebbly Brook". This story is very sweet and funny. It depicts family life, sweet family memories of the past, Christian values, the wonders of nature, and a little of what it is like to live on a farm. My children were listening with me, and they greatly enjoyed it as well. I think it is suitable for all ages.

The titles in this audio series are:

The Discovery of Pebbly Brook

Double Duty

By the Bushel Full

One Big Shot

Judy Gets a Lickin'

Fairest of the Fair

This audio set will be available soon so check it out at The Pebbly Brook Farm Journal. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you can click the link for a free download of the first story.

Enjoy!!

All About Autumn Book Reviews

2007-10-06T12:44:00.000-05:00

Welcome to My Book Reviews!

The books I review here will be books I find most suitable for the Christian homeschooling family. If I find that a book provides good quality information, but may contain material that would be troublesome or objectionable I will alert you to those items. My goal is to provide parents with a resource for finding good books that are clean and wholesome. Some may reflect Christian values, promote good character, or may be valuable for education purposes.

My Book Reviews

Autumn is here, and I thought it would be fitting to share a few reviews on some books for autumn.

I Know It's Autumn by Eileen Spinelli

Publisher's Summary: "A rhyming celebration of the sights, smells, and sounds of autumn, such as pumpkin muffins, turkey stickers on spelling papers, and piles of raked leaves."

My review: This is a great book for early elementary ages. It is filled with full color illustrations that capture the essence of autumn and family. The rhyming flow of the text will keep children interested as well as help them to feel the rhythm of poetry. The author and illustrator take you through the daily activities of children and families experiencing different aspects of the autumn season, making you more aware of the signs of the season.

Overall this is a great book, although there are a couple of very small illustrations on a couple of pages that reference halloween. I had to look closely at the detail of the pictures to see them. A page picturing children making bread in a kitchen has a quarter sized illustration of a small woman in a dress, apron, and head scarf on a broom as if she flew in through the window. She doesn't look at all like a traditional halloween witch, but the reference is clear. A two page spread of children in a classroom making acorn art shows 3 dime sized pictures on the bulletin board of a witch, a ghost, and a black cat....again clearly referencing halloween. A couple of carved pumpkins are on the porch steps in one scene, but nothing scary. Otherwise the illustrations are delightful.

Pumpkins by Ken Robbins

My review: This book would be suitable for early elementary through middle school, and pre-schoolers may enjoy the photographs. The book is more about the planting, growth, and harvesting of pumpkins although there are a couple of fall scenes in the beginning and some pictures of carving pumpkins in the back. A two page spread in the back of the book was troubling to me because it depicted people dressed in costumes of witches and goblins. The photos were blurred so that the details are not crisp, but I wonder why the author felt it necessary to put something like this in a children's book. You could easily skip over these pages (tape them together) and not mess up the flow of the text at all.

What I like about the book is that the author uses words and pictures to show children the life cycle of a pumpkin. The crisp clear photos show:

* pumpkin seeds,
* a farmer planting them by hand,
* growth of the plants and pumpkins a various stages,
* a great variety of different colors and sizes of pumpkins,
* basics on how to carve a pumpkin,
* and how the pumpkins left in the fields after the harvest will either be eaten by animals or decompose.

The overall content of the book is an excellent illustration of the life cycle of a pumpkin.

Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

Publisher's Summary: "Rebecca Estelle, an old woman who has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl and her family had nothing else to eat, finds herself with a full crop of them."

My review: Suitable for pre-school to middle school. The average 3rd grade reading level would be able to read this book with some effort, so it is probably better suited as a read-a-loud for younger children rather than a book they could read on their own. The full color illustrations are charming and often comical. Rebecca finds herself unexpectedly faced with the task of finding something to do with a large amount of pumpkins, which she would rather not have to deal with. In the end she does a good deed for the people in her community with the pumpkins, and the reader is left to believe that she rather enjoyed the results of a large amount of pumpkins she thought she didn't want. This is a great book that will encourage young people to do a good deed for someone else.

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

My review: If you look closely at the illustration on the front cover of this book you will see that the author has made a "man" from leaves, acorns, and a sweet gum ball. All of the illustrations inside this book are done in this fashion. This is mostly a picture book, with limited text. It briefly tells the story of where leaves may go when carried by the wind in autumn. The book seems most suited for pre-schoolers to about 8 or 9 years old.

An important note if you are doing any type of nature study or study of autumn: Inside the front and back covers are pictures of a wide variety of autumn leaves, acorns, sweet gum fruit, and maple seeds; each is labeled as to what they are or what tree they came from.

Since we've talked about books that mostly contain information or stories centered around pumpkins I thought you might like to see this web-site all about pumpkins. I do not suggest visiting the "Halloween Links" section of the site, and the "Pumpkin Jokes" page is nothing I would encourage my children to see, but the other sections are very informative. (Please note that web-sites can change very quickly. If you find objectionable material on this site please inform me so that I can investigate.)

Pumpkin Patch

Well, that's all for now. I have a lot more books on my desk that I'm reading. I plan to review more in the days and weeks to come, though I don't know yet if there will be any more for fall. I already have a long list of books that I want to review, because they are just great. Some would be great for topics such as wetland environments, animals and insects, historical figures, families, and foreign cultures. I hope you'll come back to read more of my reviews. If you have suggestions for topics for which you would like to read book reviews please leave a comment and share your topics of interest. I would love to help you find some great books to enhance your studies or introduce your children to new areas of interest.

Blessings,
Missy

My Amazon Book Selections for You!

2007-10-04T16:32:00.000-05:00

I love books, and I want to pass on to children the joy and adventure of reading books. So I'm sharing with you some of the best children's books that we have read over the years. Some are for educational purposes, and others are for fun. Most are fun and educational at the same time (but shhh, don't tell the kiddos).

This book list has two purposes: One is to help you to choose for your kids great books that are clean, fun, and will help them enjoy learning. The other is to help me continue to stay at home and educate my own children. By making a purchase through my store you will help me to fulfill my dream of being a stay at home mom who homeschools her children. If a book you need is not in my list just search Amazon by using the search box to your left. Amazon often has specials such as free shipping on select books when you purchase $25 or more. And remember you can save this page in your favorites and come back each time you need to make book purchases.

Thanks and happy reading!
Missy

Moving on over....and some of my favorite resources

2007-10-03T02:19:00.000-05:00

I'm trying out blogger for a while. I've been on Homeschoolblogger for a while now, but wanted to see if the grass was greener on the other side. This set up seems pretty user friendly, but I haven't ventured too far into editing HTML in the template. I'm a little too frazzled right now since it is almost 3 am. I really need to get some sleep if I'm going to teach tomorrow and tomorrow night without falling asleep. Guess I'll need lots of caffeine tomorrow huh?

I hadn't intended for my first post on blogger to be like this one, but that's the way the ball bounces. I've just finished setting up my template and for some reason couldn't get the links to some of my favorite homeschooling resources to show the pictures that go with them in the side bar. Only one would show up, so I'll need to work on that. Until then I'm going to share them right here in my first post.

My Favorite Magazine (and the only one I subscribe to)

The best resource for evidences supporting Creationism and refuting Evolution

A great place to sell your Teachers Editions (since you can no longer sell them on Ebay) and all those other homeschool books you no longer need

Want something FREE each week for your homeschool? Well, even though they are soon changing their name to CurrClick.com you can still get a new free download each week!

Looking for a great place to get lapbooks, copybooks, and more? Try Knowledge Box Central!

Graham Family Ministries also has some great things for your homeschool. If you subscribe to their e-newsletter you will receive a free eBook called "My Bible Copy Work". Right now if you purchase the book below they are donating their royalties to Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child.

That's all for now....

Blessings,
Missy