"A home without books is like a room without windows."
-Henry Ward Beecher
We love books around here. I mean really. I mean we really, really love books. I am not an expert about books and children, but I have two boys who love books, so I think I have a little insight here and there.
I choose the books that sit on our shelves. I research. I read a lot of books. I read a lot about books. I am deliberate, specific, and picky about my choices. There is no such thing as a good "children’s" book. There are only good books and not-good-books.
"A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest." -C.S. Lewis
So, I’ve decided to start a series of blog posts about books. I will give you five of our favorites based on a theme. You’ll see this little button at the top of each post.
Here are some of the upcoming posts:
{Give Me Five} books that crack us up
{Give Me Five} teaching contentment
{Give Me Five} really great series
{Give Me Five} books to sing along with
{Give Me Five} the best read-aloud books ever
{Give Me Five} touch-your-heart & probably make you cry books
If you have any requests, let me know. If you have any questions, ditto. I hope you will join me for this, and I hope it will help some of you fill your library baskets and bookcases with books– good books.
AWESOME idea!!!!
I love this idea, Ami! I’m looking forward to seeing what is on your ‘Give Me Five’ lists. š
Not sure if this fits, but books for boys (I believe our sons are about the same age – mine is 6) and I’d love to see what your son is reading on his own
Hi Teaque,
My shelves are packed with “boy” books! š I will work in a post about boy books! My oldest is 8. I’m somewhat afraid to post about what he reads because he is a reader. It’s one of his gifts, and I don’t want other people to get stuck in comparison mode. However, I can definitely do a great read aloud for boys (I think) and I remember what Elijah was reading at 5-6.
I am so excited about these posts! š
š Ami
Okay, so I just “happened upon” your website and WOW. I just told my husband, “I think I want to be this lady!” Not really, but thank you. I am just getting ready to begin homeschooling and you/your site is so inspiring! THANK YOU for taking the time to share all this. What a blessing!
I could have written this post. We adore books here too. And I am just as picky as you are about what books I bring into our home. I think this is why I choose to buy my books even though we have excellent libraries. It gives me complete control over what gets read. I am looking forward to reading this series – my wallet and my husband not so much š
Thanks for posting about books. I get so busy with other things, I neglect to research books. I could use some reliable help in this area. š
Blessings, my friend!
Marie š
Thanks Ami! Feel free to post whatever your son is reading or maybe was reading about a year ago. My son is going into 2nd grade but tends to read on about a 4th grade level so I’m open for suggestions. Thanks!
I know, Jocelyn, and I doubt I will have any eureka moments for you about books! š I wish we lived closer. Our boys could talk about books while playing with LEGOs for hours! š
Thanks for your kind words, Rachel. Trust me, you don’t want to be me! š
I love to help fellow homeschoolers. Please let me know if you ever have any questions. š
The next post will be authors Elijah loves. š I think that will help some! I have other ideas for the future that will be of interest to you too. š
Your post on how to teach reading actually inspired this, Carisa! š
Marie,
Don’t forget to check the Five in a Row lists. Even if you aren’t using the curriculum, it’s a great place to start! š
Those books are tried and true and wholesome. Some of what I will suggest has fairy tale type magic in it. I know different homeschooling families feel different about that, so I wanted to give you a head’s up.
Miss ya!