Finding Fun Books

When it comes to enjoying reading, what you really need are some fun books. Not that everyone's definition of fun is the same! But, who would want to read a boring book?

I've just relaunched one of my own websites with lots of information on how to find great reading suggestions. I learned a lot during the process of writing, especially about which publisher produces which ranges of books, where to find great reading lists, and how to find stuff on Amazon.com (often-times I've been frustrated to mainly see best sellers, most of which I'm not interested in).

You can find all of the information about best books at my site GreatFunBooks.com. I've not written specifically for homeschoolers this time, though I do mention that homeschoolers really value non-fiction kids books. I think that's one of the myriad reasons that homeschooled kids know so much. I also did pretty extensive research on early readers for the page on best books for kids so, if you have a pre-reader or early reader at home be sure to check that page out.

Do let me know what you think and whether there is other information you'd like to see there.

Free E-Books at the World E-Book Fair

Between now and August 4th you can download a selection of free E-books at the World E-Book Fair. Here are some links to check out:

• World E-Book Fair - the whole list of books.
• Children's Literature Collection - includes A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain, A History of Animals published in 1843, A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, and Abducted to Oz by Chris Dulabone.
• Classic Literature Collection - includes Heidi, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Treasure Island, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dracula, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Frankenstein, The Time Machine, Beowulf, The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Art of War, Robin Hood and Hamlet Prince of Denmark.

There's nothing beats a good read, unless it's a good read for FREE! I just read A History of Animals. What is particularly interesting is the definition of TOYS - take a look at the back page of this book to see what I'm talking about.

Bonnie and Clyde by Paul Schneider

I first heard of Bonnie and Clyde back in the 1960's when I was too young to have any clue who they were and what they did. Their names really stuck with me.

Bonnie is of course the Scottish word for beautiful and the Clyde is the big river which flows out through the city of Glasgow which I grew up practically on the banks of. It took until a couple of weeks ago when I picked up Bonnie and Clyde - the lives behind the legend by Paul Schneider for me to really learn what they were all about.

If you're looking for a cheerful read, this book is not for you. However as an interesting journey into the human condition and America in the 1920's I'd recommend it. I really found myself absorbed by the downhill slippery slope these two people were on. Of course I already knew the ending, but the twists, turns and agonies which led them there were in a way compelling.

I think this book would make a good college-level, or upper high school read. There's plenty of blood, violence and law breaking of course, so bear that in mind. There is even one really bad photo. The author doesn't turn it into a circus act though - I found myself enlightened about their story without much emotional attachment, either good or bad.

It would also be great for a homeschooling parent who just wants a change of pace and to be reminded that life in the 2000's is overall pleasant and safe, at least for most of us in America.

You can see inside Bonnie and Clyde, the lives behind the legend at Amazon.com.

* Green Book Festival Winners

This article has been relocated to Loving Nature's Garden.

Learning Stuff From My Firefox Tabs

There is so much stuff to learn out there in the Webiverse; it's hard to see how a person could get any sleep! Somehow as I wander around researching this and that I end up with a strange mixture of open Firefox tabs. Here are a few bits and bobs from my current collection of open links. I hope you, my fellow learner, learn something from them.

• Are you celebrating the 10 days of Newton?
• Jodi made a wonderful new friend when she was out visiting the veterans on Christmas day. I wonder, who was it that received the gift?
• Susan has some words of wisdom for those of us mixing home business and home schooling. I will be back to read her blog again.
• Heidi has written very detailed reviews of products of interest to homeschoolers and those who want an afterschool supplement to their child's education.
• I gather that graphic novels are continuing to increase in popularity. Would you, or your kids, like to join the graphic novels challenge?

Enjoy the links, there's lots more where they came from...

Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fable print at Amazon.com
This week's Carnival of Homeschooling follows an Aesop's Fables theme. What a fun way to organize the entries :-)

I'm rather fond of Aesop's Fables and apparently I'm not the only one! I've recently been writing about leveled reading books over at UsborneReading. Coincidentally several of Usborne's early level reading books feature beautiful adaptations of Aesop's Fables, including The Fox and the Crow, The Fox and the Stork, and The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs. Usborne also publishes an attractive gift hardback Aesop's Fables book which is perfect for bedtime story reading or for reading at grandma and grandad's house.

If you want to read Aesop's Fables without illustrations they, and many more classic folk tales, are available for free at AesopFables.com. Enjoy!

Bits and Bobs

Those firefox windows and tabs are multiplying on me again! Here are some bits and bobs - some homeschool, some just life.

• Living with Bugs - a nice looking site that outlines common bugs and the least toxic methods of controlling. It even talks about the different methods of flea control. Sarah, I'm not sure that it will tell you anything you don't already know, but I thought it did a nice job of explaining the options and their effectiveness.
• Got a bug enthusiast or budding entomologist? Learn about insect orders and families.
• Usborne have brought out some great new reading sets - these are nice collections of hardback books (the size of your usual paperback) and perfect for every level from very early reading to age 10-12yrs. I'm not sure why they put the ugly red savings stars over the pictures of the books, but these are definately nice book sets.
• Even our very own US government is blogging these days. The government blog looks pretty nice and it might be a much more friendly way to find your way around the tons of information out there which I'm sure we're funding through our taxes!
• Just in case you're not done with the election: Time for Kids; America.gov on the candidates and potential first ladies; and Melissa over at Sweet Serendipity has a few more links, including one on Duck for President and old campaign ads. I want to take a look at the old ads - Artist Girl and Game Boy love ads!
• Various lesson plans related to Japan.

Good, I'm down to just 46 windows now, so I only have about 300 tabs open. I'm working on it...

For Literacy - got books?

Information about this bookcase.
This is something you'll never see in my house, except on moving day. Once a book comes into my house it rarely leaves. You might say I'm a book collector, which means I'm of necessity a collector of bookcases. I'm a firm believer that you can't grow kids into readers without growing a collection of books (and bookcases)!

I'm always fascinated by what others have on their bookshelves. Invite me to your house, leave me alone in a room with a bookcase, I'd be busy for hours. In fact I'd like to spy on your bookshelves. I want to know how many bookshelves you have and what you have on there. What kind of books do you collect? Handyman Hubby collects the following: business and management; programming; DIY; action, science fiction and fantasy paperbacks. Didn't you just learn something about him there?

So, how many bookshelves or bookcases do you have and what's on there? Maybe you even have a bookshelf tie. Guess what's on mine if you like. Hey, I'd love to, but I can't, give away a free bookcase to one lucky winner who guesses right, if only I had one to spare! Know anyone who'd donate one to me? Sorry, we'll just have to be happy with the joy of sharing information instead. I AM however going to search out a bookcase design/plan for all my fellow booklovers who might like to build a bookcase. Leave a comment and let me know about your books, bookshelves and bookcases and I'll give you a link.

From my readers:

• Renae has seven overflowing bookshelves. It sounds like she is a bookworm!
• Deborah has nice new bookshelves, but no self-help book on book addiction! Got one of those?
• I'm trying not to be jealous of Jeanne from At A Hen's Pace. She just got NINE new bookcases from IKEA. Oh boy, I've planned out exactly the ones I'd like for our master bedroom, but I can't stomach the cost of shipping and our closest store is too far away to justify the time, gas and hotel.
  

When Homeschool Starts There's No Time for Fun

Just kidding - there's always time for fun here! Sometimes people get curious and ask me how I homeschool. They're not usually that interested in the details of the materials we use - maybe it's more of a rhetorical question. The ones who do want to know what materials I'm using are other homeschoolers. Since our official homeschool hours for this year start tomorrow, here's a list of the stuff we're using. Sounds kind of eclectic and school at home. By philosophy I'm child-led. Go figure!

• Foreign language - Rosetta Stone supplemented with reading and writing exercises
  
• Social Studies - free online high school textbook on American Government (we also plan to cover the election process) supplemented with TV and additional research and reading
  
• Science - CyberEd online - high school biology for my daughter and middle school physical science for my son - purchased through homeschool buyers co-op
  
• Math - Teaching Textbooks Algebra for my daughter and a British textbook for my son
• Reading and Writing for my daughter - reading choices from the Blue Valley schools curriculum, Writing Strands and additional materials for writing with possibly an online tutored class in the second semester
  
• Reading for my son - free choice
• Writing for my son - no official writing, more language arts - we are using software from The Critical Thinking Company which covers things like word roots, punctuation, grammar, and quizzes that are similar to what you'd see in standardized tests

You'll notice an emphasis on computer based learning. That's what has been working best here.

What are you using, why, and did your children help you to pick it out?