Term 1 Favorites
January- March 2019
As we near the end of Term 1, we have chosen our favorite books. Some are their favorites, some are mine, but we all loved each of them. Some are serious, some are silly. Some are new, some are re-reads. Some we will use time and time again. Some we have been using for what seems like a lifetime. From poetry to field guides, and everything in between, these are the books that we loved the most this term. Every subject and lesson isn't represented here, but the wide feast of our days certainly is. These are the books that come to mind immediately when we asked the question "What did we LOVE about Term 1?"
This book is beautifully illustrated, and any book that captivates my 5 year old's eyes while I read is sure to be a favorite of mine. It is a wonderful depiction of generational tradition and the changes of people over time, painting a picture of the ways in which we stay the same, even as we change.
How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the USA:
This is a fun "trip" across the United States, while pulling the thread of making a cherry pie. That thread kept everyone's attention, and allowed each child of different ages to be interested in the geographical location on the current page in different ways, for different reasons. We read this at bedtime, and it was a fun addition to our living U.S. Geography studies that will be read over and over.
Poetry for Young People: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
We simply adore the Poetry for Young People series, and Longfellow has been a favorite of both boys. The illustrations, as always with this series, are fabulous and the selection of Longfellow's poems is perfect.
What's the Big Idea Ben Franklin?
I love Jean Fritz. This biography, like many of hers, is short enough to be read as a picture book, yet long enough to be stretched out and read like a chapter book. We did the latter. This was our biography for the term. Sometimes, our biographies are longer, but as my 5 year old begins to participate and be drawn in to more subjects and more books, I am seeking to meet him where he is with a few books that are living and robust, but that is just the right portion for him. Jean Fritz is perfect for that, and we love this Ben Franklin biography.
Sarah, Plain and Tall
This was our family read-aloud this term, and I dearly hoped that my boys would enjoy it. I was excited to share it with them, and they met my hopes with enjoyment, and for that I am thankful. It is perfect for a read-aloud, because it is short enough to take in small bites, and to not get to every day and still make progress. It is a short, simple book but Sarah never ceases to gain my respect and my admiration, no matter how many times that I read it. She may be plain, but she is resilient and that matters more to be than beauty. ;)
Farmer Boy
Oh, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Farmer Boy was our literature this term, and although we've read several of the Little House series before, we started this round of going straight through the series with Farmer Boy (If you're a Little House fanatic, I know that this is controversial, and I don't care. :) ), and it was their first time reading Farmer Boy. They laughed at Almonzo, they admired Almonzo, and they wanted to be like Almonzo. They thought James Wilder was a faithful, wise man and they thought that farming was honorable work, and worth the effort. They had fun, and they were hanging on my every word as we reached the end and Almonzo decided whether he wanted to be a farmer like his father, or seize the opportunity to be something much more glamorous and exciting. Our moments spent reading Farmer Boy were my absolute favorite moments of the term.
The Burgess Seashore Book
It is impossible to pick a favorite Burgess Book, and I think that our favorite is whatever one we are reading at the time. ;) But, right now, we are thoroughly enjoying the Seashore book. I am so thankful for Burgess' ability to help us form relationships with God's created things, so that we can enjoy them fully and be interested in how they function and why.
Corn is Maize
We always love the Let's Read and Find Out science books (if you don't own a handful, you should get started on that right away!), and this one was no exception. Science presented in a living way is a true gift, and when it is history, culture, and science wrapped into one fun, interesting package then it is sure to be a favorite of everyone.
Mercy Watson
We started the Mercy Watson series, and laughed our way through the entire first book. They are picture books, but they are broken into "chapters" so they are good practice at "reading a chapter book" for my 5 year old, but don't let my 9 year old fool you because he loved it just as much. We are starting the second book in the series now, and we can't wait to read them all. They are silly, they are simple, but they aren't twaddle. They are just plain fun.
A Pot O' Gold
This collection of Irish poetry, tales, and folklore is just simply delightful. We read bits of this each year during March,and we always enjoy it. I never stop laughing heartily at Irish Blarney, and I never get tired of this particular book.
Birds of Texas Field Guide
We have many field guides, and we love the "gold standards" of the field guide world (Audubon, Peterson...), but we have a new favorite. We only own the Bird guide, but Stan Tekiela has an entire series of these guides for Texas (birds of prey, mammals, tress, cactus, wildflowers, sport fish), and I will be collecting them all. My 9 year old has reached for this guide every single day since we bought it. The photographs are wonderful, the index is easy to use, the information is presented perfectly, and Stan's notes at the bottom of each page are useful and enjoyable. The little map showing where the birds reside, and migrate to, in Texas is my 9 year old's favorite part, and he pretty much hasn't put this guide down as he observes the birds in our yard, and everywhere else.
There you have it....our favorite books of Term 1. Spreading a wide feast is such a joy, and hearing what everyone loves the most reminds me that children TRULY are born persons, that ideas TRULY are living sustenance, and that the feast TRULY is worth my effort to spread before them.
I would love to hear what you are loving most right now, or what you have loved most in your most recent term. What are you favorites, and why?
May all your days be spent....Delightfully Feasting
Crystin <3
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