Friday, May 27, 2011

TOS REVIEW: Apologia, Read for the Heart

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APOLOGIA HAS A NEW BOOK ENTITLED READ FOR THE HEART AND I WAS BLESSED WITH A REVIEW COPY!!

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  • READ FOR THE HEART was written by Sarah Clarkson (daughter of Sally Clarkson). Sarah discovered a love of reading early in her childhood and wants to help others as they strive to create this same love in their children.
  • Her book begins with a peak into the Clarkson home as Sarah and her siblings were being homeschooled and taught how to enjoy reading. I found this part of the book so insightful and encouraging, I couldn’t put it down once I started. I always enjoy learning from other successful homeschool families.

She also explores the issue of illiteracy in America, offering some statistics as well as opinions on why American children don’t enjoy reading as they once did.

While the first 3 chapters share a little about her life and love of reading chapter 4 is designed to prepare you to use the rest of the book as a general reference. Ms. Clarkson has divided the book into the following sections:

  • PICTURE BOOKS
  • THE GOLDEN AGE OF CLASSICS
  • CHILDREN’S FICTION
  • FAIRY TALES AND FANTASY
  • HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY
  • SPIRITUAL READING FOR CHILDREN
  • POETRY
  • MUSIC, ART, AND NATURE

In each of these sections she briefly discusses the category (picture book, classic, children’s fiction, etc) and then goes on to name authors and books that fit the category. In most cases she even gives descriptions of the book and offers other books by the same author.

The appendixes are just as meaty as the book itself. There she offers the following lists:

  • CADECOTT MEDALISTS
  • NEWBERY MEDALISTS
  • HISTORICAL FICTION BY G.A. HENTY
  • LANDMARK HISTORY BOOKS
  • THE TRAILBLAZER SERIES
  • A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS (just as the name suggests, some of Ms. Clarkson’s very favorites)

This book has prompted me to get back to the basics so to speak. My family has let life and school steal our time recently and I am so glad to be reminded how valuable read aloud time is in our home. I have joined a read aloud challenge over at Footprints in the Butter, and although we still aren’t reading as much as I would like, we are making an effort to read aloud each and every day, even if it’s just a couple of short picture books.

I have enjoyed soaking in the details of this book as well as just flipping through and finding books that I’ve already shared with my children and books that I want to read to them in the future. This book will be a great reference tool for us now and in years to come.  Then, as the end suggests, when the time comes, I will pass it on. It’s too valuable to sit on a shelf and not be used.

Read for the Heart is a large paperback with 384 pages. The cost is $17 and may be purchased here. If you click here, you will find a sample chapter to entice you!! Enjoy.

If you would like to read other reviews on Read for the Heart, click here.

**Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew, I received this product free of charge, in exchange for my honest opinion/review. For more honest reviews from real homeschoolers, visit the TOS Crew website.

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