It's that time of year again... when I need to update my Amazon wishlist!

[lach]

We live on a different continent than my entire family and my husband's entire family, and as a result most of my Christmas presents come directly from my Amazon Wishlist. Also, everyone in both extended families are huge procrastinators, which is why there's two weeks left to go and they're only starting to get on me now to update

So give me some suggestions! My kids are still very young, but I like planning ahead. I also already use a bunch of craft idea books with them, and am ALWAYS happy to have new ones. I feel like my strong point is humanities centered, which means that I'm a sucker for books that I think will help foster an interest in math and science. But it also means I'm a sucker for books that I think will pass on my love of history, geography, and literature. I love books about child development. I love books about educational history, philosophy, and criticism. I'm a strong supporter of a classical education for my kids (I already have the Well-Trained Mind ).

I recently started a LibraryThing just of my books for and about kids, and you can see it here if you're interested in getting an idea of what I already have. (Not that I expect you to study it carefully or anything: seriously, throw out some recommendations! I just thought I'd offer it up to see if anything sparks some suggestions). I have a few hundred more to add, mostly picture books, but it's a good general idea.

Also, since these are gifts, they can be FUN. This isn't "your top three required homeschooling books" (though I'd love to hear those too), but books that you enjoy and that you think my kids and I would enjoy too.

[Momma Aimee]

i would looove for Dh cr^p that -- i am so sick of teh's family to do they givle the boys.

anyway -- here are a fdew tites off my wish list:

enjoy:




For the Love of Literature by Maureen Wittmann,

The Educated Child: A Parents Guide From Preschool Through Eighth Grade by William J. Bennett

Let the Authors Speak: A Guide to Worthy Books Based on Historical Setting by Carolyn Hatcher

100 Most Popular Children's Authors: Biographical Sketches and Bibliographies by Sharron L. McElmeel

Core Virtues : A Literature-Base​d Program in Character Education by Mary Beth Klee

The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators by Anita Silvey

The Science Chef: 100 Fun Food Experiments and Recipes for Kids by Joan D'Amico, Karen Eich Drummond

Simple Kitchen Experiments: Learning Science With Everyday Foods by Muriel Mandell

The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had by Susan Wise Bauer

Invitation to the Classics: A Guide to Books You've Always Wanted to Read (Masterworks Series) by Louise Cowan

Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's Literature by Elizabeth Laraway Wilson

Reading Between the Lines: A Christian Guide to Literature (Turning Point Christian Worldview Series) by Gene Edward Veith

Teaching Art with Books Kids Love: Art Elements, Appreciation, and Design with Award-Winning Books by Darcie Clark Frohardt

A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century by Oliver Van DeMille

A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion by Oliver DeMille

The Lion Storyteller Bedtime Book: World Folk Tales Especially for Reading Aloud by Bob Hartman

Silly and Sillier: Read-Aloud Tales from Around the World (Treasured Gifts for the Holidays) by Judy Sierra


Magical Tales from Many Lands by Margaret Mayo

Nursery Tales Around the World by Judy Sierra (Author),

Bonjour, Babar!: The Six Unabridged Classics by the Creator of Babar by Laurent de Brunhoff

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham

The George McDonald Treasury: Princess and the Goblin, Princess and Curdie, Light Princess, Phantastes, Giant's Heart, At the Back of the North Wind, Golden Key, and Lilith by George McDonald (Author)

How Artists See: Families: Mother Father Sister Brother by Colleen Carroll

How Artists See People: Boy, Girl, Man, Woman by Colleen Carroll

Wake Up, World!: A Day in the Life of Children Around the World by Beatrice Hollyer

How Artists See Animals: Mammal, Fish, Bird, Reptile by Colleen Carroll

Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk

[lach]

Oh wow, great list! Thanks so much. I've had my eye on a few of those, and there are a bunch that I've never heard of that look great.

Thanks!

[Momma Aimee]

I forgot

Teaching the Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style by Laurie Bluedorn, Harvey Bluedorn

The ABC's and All Their Tricks: The Complete Reference Book of Phonics and Spelling by Margaret M. Bishop

and

Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum: A Guide to Catholic Home Education by Laura M. Berquist

[lach]

Cool, thank you again!

We are not religious homeschoolers... do you think the Teaching the Trivium and the Designing Your Own books you suggest would still be valuable?

[Momma Aimee]

i would,

but here is my reason

I have yet to see such books from a non-faith POV.

that being said -- if i was you i m ight add them to a personal list, not shre them for gitfs -- and then request them ILL so that you can READ them, take from them what applies, and not keep them.

then if you find they will work for you -- then you can add them to the gift list for next year.

i have never found a non-faith book about planning a classical curr on your own -- maybe ther eis one, i don't know.

we are not Cathoilc, but -- shrug --

Hope you find what you are looking for

i personally have a private amazon.com wish list where i put things i don't know that i want, or that i know i do not want to own, but so i can remember them so that i can get them ILL when they apply or so i can just remember them to look at later --