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in Charlotte Mason· Encouragement· Language Arts· Literature· Living books· New to Homeschooling· Preschool· Uncategorized· Unit study resources

Honey for A Child’s Heart

hunthoneychildIf I were stranded on a desert island with my family, destined to homeschool my children there until the next boat arrived, and I could only have one educational resource there with me, I would have to choose my library card. Of course, there would need to be a local library on that island, but that’s beside the point.

All joking aside, reading with my children is the one thing I have done almost everyday without fail since their babyhood. Whether we’re learning about the Middle Ages, celebrating a special holiday, or just cuddling up with a bedtime story, good children’s books are at the heart of our family life. I’ll venture to guess that the same holds true for many homeschooling families out there.

Because of my affinity for good children’s books, one of the first resources I purchased as a new homeschool Mom was Honey for a Child’s Heart: The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life by Gladys Hunt. This book is a treasure trove of wisdom regarding the use and impact of books on a child’s life, and it contains excellent lists of book recommendations that I find myself referring to over and over again.

Some of the topics the author covers include:

  • the importance of words and using them to nurture your child
  • how good books can broaden a child’s creativity and enhance their own writing skills
  • the importance of reading aloud together to strengthen the family bond and create a lifetime of memories
  • the enrichment of a child’s imagination through reading
  • using books to nourish your child’s spiritual life
  • using books to communicate with your children
  • reading together as a necessary ingredient for influencing your child’s life
  • what makes a good children’s book

This is just a sampling of the nuggets of wisdom Mrs. Hunt shares with her reader. The last half of the book is a compilation of book lists containing the best of the best children’s literature, culled from works both old and new. The lists are categorized by age (beginning at birth and continuing into young adulthood) and genre, including categories such as…

  • picture book classics
  • first books for beginning readers
  • classic children’s novels
  • stories for animal lovers
  • historical novels
  • fantasy novels
  • poetry
  • and more

 In one of my favorite quotes Mrs. Hunt says,

“Young children, fresh uncluttered minds, the world before them – to what treasures will you lead them? With what will you furnish their spirit?”

Honey for A Child’s Heart has helped me in answering this question on many occasions. It has aided me in choosing  some of the best and most beloved stories to share with my children. I hope that you might find it a useful tool as well.

Written by Shannon, who blogs about her family’s homeschooling and reading adventures at Song of My Heart.

Shannon (23 Posts)


Filed Under: Charlotte Mason, Encouragement, Language Arts, Literature, Living books, New to Homeschooling, Preschool, Uncategorized, Unit study resources Tagged With: Charlotte Mason, Elementary, High School, Literature, Living books, Preschool, Reading, Written by Shannon

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brenda says

    January 1, 2010 at 10:08 pm

    I LOVE this book too! It’s such a great resource for any parent, homeschooling or not. Thanks for reviewing it.
    – B
    .-= Brenda´s last blog ..Ideas from my schoolroom 2nd edition =-.

    Reply
  2. ginny says

    January 1, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    i just requested this book from our library and cannot wait to read it 🙂 thanks for the insight into it, i had no idea what a wealth it was and probably would have just looked at the booklist. now i will take some time to read it 🙂

    Reply
  3. ginny says

    January 1, 2010 at 11:00 pm

    woops! didn’t get my info right on the last post. sorry!
    .-= ginny´s last blog ..the BIG 7! =-.

    Reply
  4. Angie @ Many Little Blessings says

    January 9, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    Someone I know just recommended this book to me too. Apparently I need to check it out!
    .-= Angie @ Many Little Blessings´s last blog ..7 Quick Takes: January 8, 2010 (Vol. 26) =-.

    Reply
  5. Richele says

    January 12, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    Another book I need to check out! This sounds like a great book so I think I’ll have to bump it to the head of line. 🙂
    .-= Richele´s last blog ..Faith on thin or thick ice during a blizzard? =-.

    Reply
  6. Amy says

    January 17, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    Years ago, when my now-13yo dd was a toddler, I was searching the library stacks & usually letting her pick out her own books. It was right after story time, so there were lots of moms & kids in the library. A very sweet lady, a stranger to me, told me about Honey for a Child’s Heart & I bought it as soon as I could (that was the old edition!). Just in case you don’t know, there’s also Honey for a Teen’s Heart (which is now on my wish list) & Honey for a Woman’s Heart (because sometimes we want to read for our own improvement or enjoyment!). Thanks for this review, Shannon!

    Reply

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