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My family has read and reviewed a number of picture and chapter books this past year. It has been so wonderful getting to know all of the wonderful authors. We have loved all of the books and are eternally grateful when we receive a request for a review and giveaway. With that said, there was some outstanding books and resources which greatly enhanced our homeschool experience/curriculum. These books were not only fun to read, but were educational – and enriched the lives of my children.
All of these books met at least one of the following criteria (many of them meet two or more)…
- Great storytelling with an overall promising message of hope.
- It presented factual information in a fun and unique way.
- Excellent illustrations which engage and promote an interest in reading.
- Provides excellent educational experiences in unique ways.
- The books can be enjoyed again and again.
- Fantastic writing.
- The authors are overwhelming supporters of early childhood literacy.
- Books that will enrich the lives of your children.
- I am able to recommend the book to anyone, and they come back and tell me how much their children loved it.
Chapter Books
1. An excellent Adventure series and excellent learning, Travels with Gannon and Wyatt is great for middle readers. My 9-year-old son loves these books. Great bear Forest, Botswana, and Egypt
2. The Wunderkind Family Adventures are a hit for any reader ages 6-12. We love these books. Madison and GA: The Tale of the Messed Up Talent Show, Madison and GA: The Tale of the Slimy Spitball, Jake’s Adventures: The Secret of the Shark Tooth Crab Claw
3. The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets is an excellent and funny dog and cat book by our friendly dog and cat authors, Stanley and Katrina. This book is a classic in our house.
4. Great books about making difficult choices. Love the cats! Why Kimba Saved the World and Vacation Hiro
Picture Books
1. My Yellow Umbrella. A beautiful story of a girl and the love of her umbrella. Classic.
2. All of these books from Julia Dweck are wonderful – and will add to your homeschooling curriculum. Monkey Fun, Faux Paw, Zippity Zoo and Humpfree the Humpless Camel
3. Kids Yoga Stories combine great storytelling with yoga. Your children will adventure around the world. These books promote literacy, physical fitness and strength. To purchase, go to The Kids Yoga Stories Website.
4. The Children’s Introduction Series from Workman Press – are excellent and well made enriching resources to the world, to the night sky and to the environment. These hardbound books have added so much to our homeschool – just in developing my children’s interest in new things.
5. Barefoot Books uses all the senses to deliver amazing stories. We have listened and read the stories over and over. We love the Atlas. I would recommend this resource for the library of any young homeschooler.
These books are fantastic for any child 2-12.
If you have any new books that you would like to add, let me know. We would love to be introduced to new titles.
About Lisa
Twitter: StanleyNKatrina
says:
Holy Meow! We are honored to be on your fantastic list. Thank you, Squishy Lady!!
Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge recently posted…Free Printable Workbook for The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets
Well deserved. We love your book – and enjoy reading it again and again!
Thank you so much for being a part of our family!
Lisa recently posted…Piczzle Giveaway
Twitter: MudHutMa
says:
Great list Lisa! I love reading your book reviews – we also love Barefoot Books and Kids Yoga Stories but I haven’t seen the others you mention here. I’ll have to try to get a hold of some copies!! Happy New Year to you and your family – I learned so much following along with you in 2013 and I can’t wait to see what 2014 brings!
Jody recently posted…Recycling in Germany
Thanks so much Jody,
Happy New Year to you as well! Looking forward to following along with you in 2014!
Lisa recently posted…Piczzle Giveaway
Twitter: viviankirkfield
says:
Hi Lisa…so nice to meet you via Tina’s Booknificent Thursday!
I love your list…a couple of the books were new for me…so thank you!
You have a great blog here…I’ll be back.:)
Vivian Kirkfield recently posted…Perfect Picture Book Friday: Tibby the Tiger Bunny
Thanks so much for stoping by Vivian. It’s alo very nice to meet you. I hope you have a great weekend.
Lisa recently posted…Giveaway: Kilter – the High Quality Family Game from SimplyFun
Twitter: Mrs_karenc
says:
lot of great resources Lisa, thanks for sharing and hosting Mommy Monday…have a great evening.
karen recently posted…What’s New?
So so so nice to see you back. I have seen a few posts from you come through my email box, so will be by to visit in the AM.
Hip hip horray! I hope everything is going well, and thank you for linking up with us!
Lisa recently posted…Big Curriculum Sale at Educents
Twitter: LovinMarshall
says:
Thanks so much for this list! We are always looking for new books for my 3-year-old son!
Found you through Mommy Monday Blog Hop and am now following on Twitter and Bloglovin! Thanks for hosting!
Lauren recently posted…Peace & Joy: Holiday Fun Part 2
Hey Lauren, Thanks so much for stopping by and linking up! Will stop by your blog and follow you back. Have a wonderful week!
Lisa recently posted…Big Curriculum Sale at Educents
Twitter: krissmacdonald1
says:
You have some excellent book reviews which are great for kids whether homeschooling or not.
Kriss MacDonald recently posted…Weekly photos – Project 365 #1
Thank you so much Kriss. I appreciate the compliment. I hope you have a fantastic week! Thanks so much for linking up with us week after week.
Lisa recently posted…Big Curriculum Sale at Educents
Twitter: grtlyblesd
says:
We have a couple Barefoot Books (Motherbridge of Love, and Little Leap Forward). They’re nice books! I’ve thought about getting the kit for the sake of all the great books it includes and the ordering discount! Are you a consultant?
I’m ordering the Egypt book off Amazon right now. Looks like something Eli will enjoy. We’ve been stuck in Egypt most of this year, LOL.
Shecki recently posted…Paracord Bracelets
Great choice on the Egypt book. Eli will LOVE IT!
No, I am not a barefoot books consultant, but would love to be (if I had the time). The books are so incredibly beautiful and well done. I love how they incorporate the CD’s. It’s a really great all around fun experience! I hope you have a great weekend!
Lisa recently posted…Homeschool Link-up – Week 16
Twitter: grtlyblesd
says:
My boy just (it’s a little after 10 pm) FINISHED the book and is telling me all about it. I think we’ll need the other two. 🙂 Thanks for turning us onto a new series!
Shecki recently posted…Weekly wrap up 17
I am so happy he liked it. We also really liked it. It’s fun , adventurous – and there are a lot of interesting facts for kids to learn – that they wouldn’t necessarily learn from their studies. For example, what it is like to barter in an open market. Who would have thunk it?
Thanks so much for stoppin by, Shecki! Have a great evening.
Lisa recently posted…Mommy Monday Blog Hop – Week 29
Twitter: mommynificent
says:
This is a super list! Thanks for sharing it at Booknificent Thursday! Sorry I’m so late to pop over and see it. I have a question for you – we still haven’t gotten the hang of having ebooks in our regular read-them -over-and-over-again rotation. When we sit on the couch together for a reading cuddle time, I just don’t think about e-picture books. I have to schedule them in to remind myself to read them or they just don’t happen. Do you have any tips to help me join this century?! 🙂 Thanks!
Tina
Tina at Mommynificent recently posted…A Stegosaurus Hunt and Booknificent Thursday Link Up Party #30
I know. It’s really hard. Actually, it took me a long time to get into it. Plus, it’s a bit harder for me because I have an ipod/iphone. It’s really small. It’s not like having an e-reader or ipad which is much bigger. I think if you had an ipad or ereader, it would be better. That way, everyone could see clearly, and you wouldn’t have to strain your eyes to read.
Really, I just think it comes down to practice. I know that sounds weird, but it does. In the beginning, I was totally against it. But then, with practice, we have learned to like it. What I found was, it doesn’t really matter what you are reading from, the time you spend together, is what’s important.
Lisa recently posted…Sustainable Phil: The History of Groundhog Day