The Insect World of J. Henri Fabre Author(s): Jean-Henri Fabre Jean-Henri Fabre (1823-1915) was a French naturalist who penned many writings about his beloved insects. These essay/stories describe, in great detail, his encounters with some interesting insects – how he worked with them and what he discovered about them. For instance The material is informative and even humorous at times, but rather dense (definitely not dry!). Here is a sample, from "The Pine Processionary"... Read more about The Insect World of J. Henri Fabre
Baby Whales Drink Milk Author(s): Barbara Juster EsbensenIllustrator(s): Lambert Davis A nice picture book which introduces basic facts about whales and what they are: mammals rather than fish. Includes nice pictures (with some beautiful scenery) and informative text. Read more about Baby Whales Drink Milk
Elephant Families Author(s): Arthur Dorros This book focuses on elephant's care for and interaction with each other with a significant emphasis on elephants being killed by poachers. Read more about Elephant Families
Birds do the Strangest Things Author(s): Leonora and Arthur HornblowIllustrator(s): Alan D Singer Twenty-two stories of the natural but strange and fascinating behavior of various birds. The text covers ostriches, hummingbirds, kiwis, loons, peacocks, emperor penguins, woodpeckers and much more. The text is somewhat lengthy (approx. 12-20 lines per page), but in fairly large print and at a fairly easy reading level. My children find this book completely fascinating. Part of the "Step-Up" series which includes "Meet George Washington" et al. Read more about Birds do the Strangest Things
How do Birds Find Their Way? Author(s): Roma Gans A nicely illustrated and interesting look at the amazing phenomenon of bird migration, what we know about how migration works and some various theories about details that are still being studied. Includes a chart of how high various birds fly. Read more about How do Birds Find Their Way?
The Way Things Work Kit Author(s): David Macaulay This kit provides dozens of special cardboard pieces, wooden dowels string, wheels, etc. for making simple machines (inclined planes, scales, etc.) that can be used for understanding basic concepts of mechanics – how things work. Based upon the bestselling "The Way Things Work" by David Macaulay, the kit continues the theme of Wooly Mammoths as props and characters for use in these experiments. Read more about The Way Things Work Kit
Great Inventors and Inventions Author(s): Bruce LaFontaine Nicely drawn images and fairly detailed text overview important inventions and their inventors from Gutenberg's Movable Type (1438) to the Laser (1960). Arranged in chronological order, the descriptions give some historical background and scientific details about each invention. There is a certain amount of typical problems in the text regarding the medieval era to be full of "darkness and superstition" and a rather incomplete and somewhat erroneous account of Galileo's run-in with the Catholic Church. Read more about Great Inventors and Inventions
Incredible Comparisons Author(s): Russell Ash This picture book designed for "big kids" gives side-by-side comparisons according to length, height, area, life-span, speed, etc. of all kinds of things – animals, mountains, countries, modes of transportation, man-made structures and much more. Read more about Incredible Comparisons
Charlotte Mason's Original Home Schooling Series Author(s): Charlotte M. Mason 6 volume set, reference work for adults. Living books instead of textbooks for teaching. "Narration" or retelling what one has read, rather than fill-in-the-blanks workbooks. Short lessons of 10 to 30 minutes, leaving time for handicrafts and exploration in the afternoon. Plenty of time outside in God's creation, learning to draw and identify plants and animals. If you are using any of these ideas in your homeschool, you may owe a debt of gratitude to Charlotte Mason. Read more about Charlotte Mason's Original Home Schooling Series
Initiation Author(s): Robert Hugh Benson Set in aristocratic England of the late 19th century, this novel by a convert to Catholicism explores the concept of our participation in the Atonement. Young Sir Nevill Fanning is thoughtlessly and unconsciously pagan (though outwardly Catholic) and heir to his dear Aunt Ann's estate. Early on, he falls in love with a Protestant, and this raises various issues both within his aunt and within himself. A Mr. Morpeth represents the holiness and wisdom of the Church as Nevill and Ann work out their salvation. Read more about Initiation
