BOOK LIST (to print) -- ENGLAND
PODCASTS:
The connecting link between Month 3 World History and Month 3 American History is the fact that England was our mother country; for 150 years the colonists lived under her rule and it was from England that we declared our independence. Our attachment to England is why we have been influenced by English laws and speak the English language. The desire for freedom runs deep in British hearts. Tied into the study of England is the study of Scotland and Ireland, who, for so many years, fought for their freedom from English rule. Some of our greatest patriot fighters in the American Revolution had Scotch or Irish blood running in their veins. I think an interesting part of this study is for children to note that we didn't hate England or Englishmen generally. It was tyrannical rulers who caused so much grief. In fact, the reason the King of England had to hire German soldiers was because he couldn't find enough Englishmen who would go and fight against family members and friends. And we can't even say the Germans were our enemy--nearly one fourth of the 13,000 soldiers who came to fight fell in love with the New World and settled here permanently.
There is so much to learn from England's story that the biggest problem is choosing where you want to start. You may want to introduce your children to Shakespeare or Chaucer who contributed so much to the English language and revealed so much of human nature to us. Or spend time with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Learn about this age of Chivalry--an age when knights took oaths to be good, brave, loyal, just, generous and gentle; to be pure and protect the ladies; to right the wrongs and protect all who were in distress; to be champions of Jesus Christ. You will find a great variety of choices of the King Arthur story in the online library--something for every age and attention span. And there are so many legendary writers to choose from: Dickens, Austen, Bronte, Stevenson, Scott, Tolkien, MacDonald, Lewis to name a few. So many fun things to learn . . . so little time.
BOOK SPOTLIGHTS:
There is so much to learn from England's story that the biggest problem is choosing where you want to start. You may want to introduce your children to Shakespeare or Chaucer who contributed so much to the English language and revealed so much of human nature to us. Or spend time with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Learn about this age of Chivalry--an age when knights took oaths to be good, brave, loyal, just, generous and gentle; to be pure and protect the ladies; to right the wrongs and protect all who were in distress; to be champions of Jesus Christ. You will find a great variety of choices of the King Arthur story in the online library--something for every age and attention span. And there are so many legendary writers to choose from: Dickens, Austen, Bronte, Stevenson, Scott, Tolkien, MacDonald, Lewis to name a few. So many fun things to learn . . . so little time.
BOOK SPOTLIGHTS:
- The Queen's Progress is an Elizabethan ABC book. The detailed and exquisite illustrations of Bagram Ibatoulline make the book a delightful read--a story within a story-- as he takes your child on Queen Elizabeth's annual summer journey through the English countryside, sharing customs and tidbits of information about Elizabethan England along the way. You may want to just read the rhymes and let your littlest children enjoy the pictures, even though they may not understand many of the words. Your older children will enjoy the additional notes on each page.
- A Nursery History of England is a very simple introduction to English history for children. Each page is a colored illustration that has a brief paragraph summary that describes each picture. It gives you a very quick and simple overview and introduction to key historical figures so that when you come back around in coming years, you can start layering in the story and events.
- Beatrix Potter: I loved the book, Nothing is Impossible, the story of Beatrix Potter who wrote and illustrated the Peter Cottontail and other imaginative children's books about animals. Here is another great example of well-educated heart principles and self-education. It's hard to imagine her lonely life as a child, but learning set her free. You may want to follow up the book by watching the movie, Miss Potter which will further make deep impressions of the beautiful Lake District in England and the times in which she lived. And do be sure and read her books! The little hardbound copies would be what Beatrix would hope you would read, but if you don't have access to them, you can read them online here. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page.)
- Shakespeare for children- This collection of twenty Shakespeare stories by E. Nesbit is my personal choice for children. I'd start with plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, Merchant of Venice, The Tempest and leave the darker historical tragedies for later. If you start with A Midsummer Night's Dream, after you read the story, if you want to read a version adapted for young people but as Shakespeare wrote it, check out this version.
- Chaucer for children--Yes, Chaucer for children! He is an important link in the story of the English language. And some of his Canterbury tales have been adapted for children that are definitely worth passing along. For instance, Chanticleer and the Fox is an adaptation of the Nun's Priest's Tale and is a Caldecott Medal winner. The Franklin's Tale is also a good story for children about keeping promises and other layers of meaning. This is a nice illustrated version if you can find a copy. Learn more about Chaucer here.
- William Tyndale's story of how he spent many years in exile so that he could translate the Bible into English is one that will make your children appreciate the Bible all the more. We owe so much to him for many things, not the least of which is the contributions he made to the English language. Much of the language of the King James Version of the Bible came from Tyndale. Betrayed by a friend, sentenced to spend his last days in a dreary prison prior to being burned at the stake--his payment for his work--his heart never failed him. Ever patient, ever kind, his good example led to the conversion of his jailer and in turn, the family of the jailer. Spending time with giant souls like Tyndale can't help but lift your soul, too.
- King Arthur- There are so many wonderful choices to learn about King Arthur, his Knights of the Round Table and the days of chivalry. If you have a beginning reader who is ready for a chapter book, try and find a copy of Clyde Robert Bulla's 'The Sword in the Tree'. It's a simple story but is engaging and begins to unfold life in the days of King Arthur. The illustrations add much to the story. When Knights Were Bold explains what it took to be a knight, describes their armor and way of life as well as other fascinating details about life during the 8th to the 15th centuries.
- The Lost Prince by Frances Hodgson Burnett, who also wrote A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. If your boys found those books too 'girlie' (I know...that's risky language today), give this book a try. The fictional country of Samavia was a beautiful and peaceful place to live until two corrupt and greedy parties overthrew the king and seized power. For 500 years, as these contentious groups fought with each other and brought the country into endless misery and desolation, the story of her former days was passed secretly from parent to child, keeping her greatness and glory alive in their hearts, waiting for the moment when this 'secret' group could drive the corruption out and restore the peace and the rightful ruler. There are so many well-educated heart principles woven into this story-- the power of story, poetry and song; turning to an 'inward' kingdom when outer circumstances are frightening; love between parent and child; self-education; and so many more that I'm sure you'll recognize. A friend recommended this book several years ago and I finally got around to reading it--I'm so glad she introduced it to me.
- Ivanhoe - One of Sir Walter Scott's most popular books, it was written at a time of deep family distress and personal suffering, which is described in the introduction of this illustrated version. It was an instant success. Scott desired to bring back memories of former days -- the days of knights and chivalrous deeds -- as he saw the need for something 'deeper and more attractive than what had been offered elsewhere' and 'silently indoctrinating [readers] with nobler ideas." Here is an abridged version with notes and illustrations for younger readers, and this is a good abridged one for a little bit older readers. This is an annotated version.
Art Credit: Hailing the Ferry by Daniel Knight (1888)