Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski
This book has seen better days, but its worn cover, loose binding, and dog-eared pages speak volumes (no pun intended); Indian Captive, The Story of Mary Jemison by Lois Lenski is a well-loved living book that I’ve enjoyed since I was as young as our children are now! The story…
Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
Turning the last page of Johnny Tremain evoked audible sighs all around the room. What an experience to live in Boston during the latter half of the 1700s over the past few weeks! Author Esther Forbes introduced us to a plethora of interesting characters a few years before the Revolutionary…
For Christ’s Crown by Richard Hannula
We listened to the audio version of For Christ’s Crown: Sketches of Puritans and Covenanters by Richard Hannula on our trips to and from church, and I wanted to recommend it heartily. Much like Hannula’s other well-loved collection of biographies, Trial and Triumph, the historical sketches in this book exalt…
The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day by Scott O’Dell
Through the experience of a fictional young sailor-smuggler named Tom Barton, O’Dell depicts the spiritual darkness of England in the early 1500s before the Reformation, and his encounter with an unassuming man bent on translating the Bible into the English language. The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day endears…
Remember the Alamo! by Robert Penn Warren
Remember the Alamo! by Robert Penn Warren was the first history book we read about Texas after arriving here. We all enjoyed it, but none so much as our 12 year old son, whose favorite topic is military history, whose favorite games are strategy games, and whose love for the…
Boy of the Pyramids by Ruth Fosdick Jones
Ancient Egypt and the early Old Testament is the overarching theme of our school year. I missed laying this foundation in the early years before learning of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education, so we’re back tracking a bit to build upon it going forward, Lord willing, as we travel through…
Bud & Me by Alta Abernathy
Since we moved to Texas, we’ve been trying to learn as much as we can about its history and culture. So, like typical homeschoolers, we switched gears in the middle of the school year and jumped from Ancient Egypt to the history of the South because that’s where the science…
Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates
Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates is an excellent living book on the horror of the slave trade, the sanctity of human life, and the privilege of freedom. Beginning in Africa, the story gives us a glimpse into what life was like for the fifteen year old prince in…
Caleb’s Lamb by Helen Santos
Caleb’s Lamb by Helen Santos is one of the greatest gems in our collection of children’s stories. Scripture is full of sheep and shepherd imagery: we, the sheep, and Jesus, our Great Shepherd who leads us.Through the mountains and fields with Asher The Shepherd and his flock; and Caleb, Asher’s…
Children of the Storm: The Autobiography of Natasha Vins
Children of The Storm by Natasha Vins is a true story that takes place in the Soviet Union during the 1960s and 70s. We could not make it through a single chapter without drawing multiple parallels between the Communist government in Eastern Europe just one generation ago and what is…
The Basket of Flowers by Christoph Von Schmid
If you were to ask our two middle girls what story is their favorite, they would probably say, “The Basket of Flowers.” They have listened to Lamplighter Theatre’s recording of this classic story from the early 1800s dozens of times and nearly have it memorized. God never promised an easy…
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
Most of the books I have collected for our kids were based on memories I had of them growing up, recommendations by trusted friends, or because I had the chance to leaf through the pages at a thrift store and was pleased with what caught my eye. For some reason,…
Fill your Morning Basket.
What is a Living Book?
When your children plead, “just one more chapter!” and you find yourself complying for your sake as much as theirs, you may just be reading a living book!
What is a Morning Basket?
A Morning Basket is not really about mornings, or baskets, but having a set time of day to read living books to your children.