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Great books are a wonderful form of home entertainment. They inform and motivate. Building an excellent home library is a great endeavor. Reading aloud makes for memorable family time. When parents read aloud to children:
1. They can benefit from great literature that is beyond their current reading level.
2. They will desire to read more, even acquire a life long love of books
3. Their vocabulary will increase and their speaking ability will improve as they learn varied language patterns during the formative years. This effect is seen even into the adult years.
4. Listening skills improve (desperately needed today) and the ability to visualize spoken words
5. Their own oral reading will improve as they imitate you
6. Lastly it provides a significant sharing time for family members
But, don’t select just ANY book. Make it a great experience by choosing a really great book. Below are some reviews of such books and a list of exceptional books (yet to be reviewed).
BOOK REVIEWS
Hank The Cowdog series by John R. Erickson
These books are so funny! Cowdog Hank, who is not particularly bright or handsome, nevertheless holds himself in high esteem and loves to wield his authority as “head of ranch security” around his humble sidekick Drover. Mr. Erickson has great insight into both canine and human nature creating hilarious caricatures of small Texas ranchers and their dogs. The whole family will do lots of laughing while subtle moral values come through. Mr. Erickson has also produced CD’s of his books in which he does a superb job of reading. You really get to know all the characters by the great voices he uses. They usually include a song or two of his performing and good sound effects. Take one or more on your next long road trip. This series is highly recommended for all ages.
The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop
A loving king and queen present their daughter with a gift from God — her first kiss — to keep or to give away. Amidst a culture that mocks purity and virtue, there is a charming storybook for girls about the exquisite beauty of purity and the wisdom of waiting on God’s timing.
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
This is the true story of how a youth denied a Harvard education literally rewrote the book on 18th century maritime navigation, thus making the ocean safer for all sailors. The book was, The American Practical Navigator, which is still used today and carried by every commissioned U.S. Navy vessel!
Our hero, “Nat” Bowditch was born in 1773 and sailed from Massachusetts. A great story of a young man whose perseverance and love of learning are worth imitating.
The Bible In The Wall author unknown
This is actually a true story. It is about a man who is offered a Bible he doesn’t want. He unloads the Bible by burying it in a brick wall. Through incredible circumstances, the exact Bible comes back to him at a time when he is more receptive. The story motivates the reader to cherish and revere the Scriptures.
The Crown and Covenant Collection by Douglas Bond—Duncan’s War, Rebel’s Keep, King’s Arrow
Two brothers in Scotland during the seventeenth century uphold the Covenanters’ cause fighting against the persecution of King James and King Charles. This is high adventure which brings in the lives of historical characters Samuel Rutherford and John Knox.
Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss
Elizabeth Prentiss is also the author of the hymn “More Love to Thee, O Christ.” Stepping Heavenward is the delightful journal of a young woman of the eighteen hundreds. The journal chronicles her life from age sixteen into her forties. The reader follows the journalist’s journey into maturity with many rich lessons along the way.
The True Story of Noah’s Ark by Tom Dooley and Bill Looney
If you are weary of whimsical Noah’s Ark books whose art work and narrative make it look like a folk tale, you’ll find this book refreshing and fascinating. The art work is outstanding presenting the interior of the ark based on Biblical information. The text is Biblically and scientifically based. This is a book to make the cataclysmic geological event of the global flood come to life in high definition. A great read-aloud for the whole family.
Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford
This is the true story in William Bradford’s own words of the 50 people who settled one of the first New England colonies. This treasured volume should be part of every American child’s education. It is engaging enough for the whole family to enjoy at Thanksgiving or any time.
Elsie Dinsmore series by Martha Finley
This is a children's book series written by Martha Finley (1828-1909) between 1867 and 1905. It concerns the character, Elsie Dinsmore who lived in the mid eighteen hundreds. The twenty-eight volume series follows her life from early childhood to old age. Elsie lives according to her Biblical roots in integrity, selflessness, respect for authority, and joy in her Savior. Elsie raises the bar for all of us.
The Encyclopedia of Country Living: An Old Fashioned Recipe Book by Carla Emery
This book is a priceless treasure. Probably the most helpful, informative, interesting book ever written on country living. As it says on the back cover, “so basic, so thorough, so reliable, it deserves a place in every home — whether in the country, the city, or somewhere in between.” Far more than the great recipes, Carla offers detailed help for so many endeavors. Buy land, sew a quilt, plan a garden, raise earthworms, self-sufficiency, make cosmetics, grind oats, tap sugar maples, stock a root cellar, make vinegar, raise rabbits, poultry, goats, cows, bees, sheep, pigs, shear a sheep, milk cows, make cheese, pluck feathers, make soap, cook on a wood stove plus lists of books, magazines, and mail-order suppliers for every subject imaginable, AND much more!
The tone of the book is informal and personal so you feel like you are learning the wisdom of some sagacious country grandma.
For Wives:
The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
A great book for the woman who takes Biblical wife-ing seriously. Both challenging and encouraging, the book is a guide to virtuous womanhood that sticks to scripture. Dr. Jay Adams writes, “Not only does [Martha Peace] explain what God requires of a Christian wife, but she explains clearly how to obey God’s commandments in order to become that wife.”
OTHER GREAT BOOKS
(Reviews Coming)
Tower of Geburah by John White
Narnia Series by C. S. Lewis
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
The Peasant Girl’s Dream by George MacDonald
Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Oxcart Man by Donald Hall
The Road Home by Mark Olsen and Tommy Tenney
Just Plain Fancy and other books by Patricia Polacco
Little Britches by Ralph Moody
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan
Strawberry Girl and other books by Lois Lensky
Blue Willow by Doris Gates
Baby Island by Carol Ryric Brink
A Basket of Flowers—A Tale For the Young—Unknown Author
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
There’s a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer
Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch and Sheila McGraw
Olivia by Ian Falconer
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Make Way For Ducklings and others by Robert McCloskey
