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Hi, my name is Melissa. Pour yourself a cup of tea and stay a while. I'm completely devoted to my Savior, madly in love with my husband, and joyously raising my daughters. I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy your time here!

Monday, July 1, 2013

Children's Books from Applewood Books: Review and Giveaway!!!!


Primary Source Material...This phrase became part of my vocabulary as I started realizing my homeschooling method actually had a name: Charlotte Mason. I wouldn't say I completely subscribe to all aspects of this teaching style, but living books in particular have captured my heart. Applewood Books is a company dedicated to publishing primary source material. Because so many of these books are older, they can be very hard to find. I'm was thrilled to have the opportunity to review an assortment. The best news is one blessed reader of mine will receive one of these three books (of their choice) from Applewood Books!

Hello America! by Marth Day Zschock is  an absolutely darling little story in board book form. So many topics of American heritage are covered in this sweet book it is sure to instantly ignite curiosity in your littlest learner. The illustrations are colorful and captivating, sure to keep the pages turning! Although Applewood Books focuses primarily on older books, there are some new series being published such as these board books.

Beth and Grace read this together and enjoyed every page! I love hearing Beth read to Grace. She puts great emotion into everything she reads and enjoys learning with her younger sister. Grace said she really liked the baby eagle, and I don't blame her. Isn't that eaglet the cutest!?!

In Words of One Syllable books were a popular way to teach young readers in the mid 1800's to early 1900's. They were the next step after basic phonics instruction. While not all of the words in these books are actually one syllable, any word has multiple syllables is broken syllabically to make reading easier. Two of our history books for 2nd grade were written in this style and I very much enjoyed them with my daughters.

The History of The United States by Josephine Pollard is a reprinting of a book originally published in 1884. Beth just finished Kindergarten and is reading on a upper 2nd grade-early 3rd grade level. While some words were more difficult, she read this fairly easily and enjoyed the stories. Some may say they are old-fashioned, but I disagree. The word usage feels a little bit more formal, buy my daughter's vocabulary has increased after lots of informal definitions in response to many, "What does that mean?" moments. It is also nice for my girls to be able to read history on their own and the living books style used in these children's history books is excellent.

A Yankee Girl in Fort Sumter, by Alice Curtis and originally published in 1920, is a fictional story set in South Carolina just before the Civil War. Sylvia is from Boston and she has many adventures after moving Charleston. The south is a different world for a northern girl encountering slavery. This delightful story was written to engage young girls with history, something Alice Curtis did very well with her books.

Rose enjoyed this book although she isn't quite through with it yet.  It is written in a style typical of the early 20th century, which I personally love, but is a little harder for her to stay excited about yet. She just finished 2nd grade and is reading on a high 5th to low 6th grade level, but the word usage and sentence structure are not what she is used to at this point. Even though this has not been an easy book for her to read I think it is important to introduce literature written in a more classic style early on in a child's education. Without this introduction other literature great literature they will read by the likes of Mark Twain and Charles Dickens will be more difficult. This sweet story will also serve well as a read aloud to children.

Applewood Books is a company I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these last several weeks. I have a heart for great literature and many of my favorite authors are from last century and before. This company is actively pursuing and distributing quality, classic literature for future generations to enjoy.

I can't wait to see who gets blessed by this giveaway! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer
I received the three books reviewed in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. No other compensation was received.

20 comments:

  1. I would love a good book about the History ofThe United States!

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  2. I would love to win the book A Yankee Girl in Fort Sumter. My 8 yr old would really enjoy reading about this Yankee girl. Thanks for the chance to win it.

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  3. I would like to win The History of The United States. I think my boys would enjoy reading a history book that was published so long ago.

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  4. I would like A Yankee Girl in Fort Sumter. Thank you.

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  5. I would choose Hello, America! Thank you :)

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  6. I'd choose "The history of the United States", though I have children in all the age brackets, and all of the books look great!

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  7. History of the United States. I only have one little bitty left, so not the board book. The third might be a nice read aloud, but after so many Laura Ingalls Wilder books, the boys are tired of "girl" books. :)

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  8. The History of the United States looks great!

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  9. i'd love to win history of the united states. it looks like an interesting read, and i'm sure my boys will enjoy it! :)

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  10. The History of the United States, my boys love history- (So does mommy!) and I am certain this would be right up our alley!!

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  11. I would choose A Yankee Girl In Fort Sumter. I think my 2 daughters ages 8 & 12 would enjoy reading it. My third grader is studying American History this year and I think the book would add to our experience.

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  12. I would choose A Yankee Girl In Fort Sumter. I love to read aloud books to my girls that have a quality storyline. I also love historical fiction!

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  13. The History of The United States by Josephine Pollard because my oldest son is a history nut and loves reading things like this. However my daughter would love A Yankee Girl!!

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  14. I would like History of the United States! I think my son and I would really enjoy reading that history book!

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  15. They all look like great books. I am drawn to the History Of the United Staes of America and Yankee Girl At Fort Sumpter. We have been stationed in Charleston,SC and my girls love anything that is about the places we have lived in.

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  16. I would love Hello America. This would be a good starter book for my 4 year old.

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  17. I would choose The History of the United States. It looks interesting, and I have a beginning reader!

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  18. Tough choice! I think A Yankee Girl at Fort Sumter would please most of my girls.

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