No name

Abraham Lincoln

Book cover: Abraham Lincoln
Author(s): 
Ingri & Edgar Parin D'Aulaire
Rea Berg (Editor)
Number of pages: 
64 pages
Copyright: 
1939
ISBN: 
9781893103603
Publisher: 
Beautiful Feet Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Sample Pages
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Setting: 
Civil War
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 

Our family has almost worn out our copy of this well-loved book. Abraham Lincoln the boy comes alive in the story and illustrations. We see him grow to a young man and take several adventurous trips "down river" and learn that a fortune-teller from New Orleans predicted that he would be president some day. The authors indicate his empathy for the slaves during this trip and show how his honesty and integrity eventually win the respect of many, although they don't make for an easy life. The book includes information and anecdotes from the Civil War, but avoids the topic of his assassination.

Additional notes: 

Book details are for the 75th Anniversary Edition from 2015. The lovely illustrations are made from the 1939 lithographic proofs the D'Aulaires created in 1939.

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Accent Your Syllables

Book cover: 'Accent Your Syllables'
Author(s): 
Cathy Behrens
Number of pages: 
30 pages
Copyright: 
1999
Publisher: 
Cathy Behrens
Binding: 
Stapled Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grammar
Resource Type: 
Supplement
Review: 

This is a 30-page, self-published book with an answer key that fits into a unique category within the language arts curriculum. Accent Your Syllables is a brief worktext that first introduces the rules for syllabication and accents in English, then provides many exercises to practice applying those rules. The rules are printed in a blue ink and are easy to find on the pages. This course would be best suited for a student who is reading fluently, as the words are generally multi-syllable. Choosing words at random from the exercises provides this list: displease, exported, scripture, soapstone, Mediterranean, bacteria, and sedimentary. I plan to use this course over the period of a few weeks, rather than using it once a week throughout a school year. This course promises to be an excellent preparation for a student beginning the formal study of a foreign language as well as a course in a specific part of the study of English.

Additional notes: 

Available from the author at 300 Marsh Street, Sedan, MN 56334

Reviewed by: 
Susan Kalis
First reviewed: 
4-9-01

Addition Songs

Addition Songs CD
Author(s): 
Kathy Troxel
Copyright: 
1998
ISBN: 
9781883028152
Publisher: 
Audio Memory
Subject(s): 
Math
Resource Type: 
Audio Tape
CD Audio
Supplement
Review: 

Audio Memory offers math audio tapes and CDs for practicing "Math Facts" in Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication, each sold separately. These are Math drills set to music of the synthesized variety. Although these make for an easy memorization aid, I found the songs almost unbearably sappy. (My children did like them though.)

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
5-13-2000

Advent in the Home

Activities for Families
Author(s): 
Ellen C. Becker
Mary T. Barnes
Number of pages: 
120 pages
Copyright: 
2009
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
The Liturgical Year
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Review: 
My first impression when I opened Advent in the Home was, “Wow, it’s all here.” Normally in October I start filling my calendar with meaningful Advent activities; jotting down ideas on scraps of paper which I promptly lose and printing out coloring sheets until I run out of ink. This seems to be fairly common in homeschooling families. Aspiring to create a more spiritual tone to what has become an oppressively secular time of year can be quite overwhelming. There are just so many ideas spread out in books, periodicals, and on the Iinternet. Gathering them all and putting them to use in the home can actually create frustration and distract well-meaning parents from focusing on Christ. Advent in the Home attempts to lessen the workload of the educator by gathering all these ideas into one book. The book includes coloring pages for the preschoolers, prayers to accompany the lighting of the Advent candles, feast day activities and recipes, a lovely rosary booklet, a paper advent wreath centered around “Doing God’s Work”, an Advent blessings booklet, a scripture based paper chain, all the ornaments for the Jesse Tree, a template for an O Antiphon house, the Liturgy of the Hours, a Nativity matching game, and much more. The illustrations are simple, clean, and charming. There is not a single filler activity in the book; all focus on Christ and all are very doable even during a busy time of year.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Jennifer McGonigle
First reviewed: 
10-19-2009

Advent Reflections, Come, Lord Jesus!

Book cover: Advent Reflections
Author(s): 
Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan
Timothy Michael Dolan
Number of pages: 
64 pages
Copyright: 
2007
ISBN: 
9781592763948
Publisher: 
Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Advent
Review: 

In Advent Reflections, Come, Lord Jesus! Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan shares four meditations, one for each week of Advent: “The Threes Comings of Jesus,” “St. John the Baptist,” St. Joseph: A Man Forgotten,” and “Our Blessed Mother Mary.”

With his earthy, conversational tone, Archbishop Dolan’s speaks to our hearts. As he talks about St. John the Baptist, he says, “You see, John’s entire ministry was captured in that one moment when he eyeballs Jesus coming out of the desert and bellows out to the crowd, pointing to Christ, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29). That was his job description—to point out Christ. With that, his job was done. He could have retired to Sun City.”

Archbishop Dolan combines teaching, inspiration, personal experience, and scripture in this lively text. To illustrate a point he is making, he weaves in short personal stories or adds scriptural passages that add depth and meaning.

Too often we listen to a sermon or read a spiritual book and later can’t recall what we have heard or read. To help us better remember his essential points, Archbishop Dolan uses catchy phrases. In describing “The Three Comings of Christ,” he says, “Our Lord comes to us in history, mystery, and majesty.”

Advent is a time of waiting and longing for the coming of our Lord. With all the bustle of Christmas preparations, it is easy to lose our focus on what this season is all about. Archbishop Dolan seeks to keep this message of hope alive with words of inspiration, questions for us to reflect on, and a prayer to carry us into the coming week.

Although there is only one meditation per week, instead of daily, there is plenty for us to reflect on during the week.

Not just “pretty” words, Advent Reflections, Come, Lord Jesus! challenges us to put our faith in action. This is an ideal resource for the whole family.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
11-25-2007

Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany in the Domestic Church

Book cover: 'Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany in the Domestic Church'
Author(s): 
Catherine and Peter Fournier
Number of pages: 
101 pages
Copyright: 
2001
ISBN: 
0898708591
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Spiralbound
Subject(s): 
Advent
Christmas
Grade / Age level: 
All ages
Review: 
This book is an outgrowth of the authors' longstanding website www.domestic-church.com and is a great companion to the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. It is divided into four parts: Family Activities, Saints of the Season, Crafts, and Coloring Pages. The purpose is to provide families with activity ideas that foster a spiritual climate in those seasons.

While the book does have activities that other seasonal books contain, such as the Advent Wreath and Jesse Tree, there are some engaging original projects such as patterns for playable manger figures, cross-stitch patterns, instructions for making gift boxes, and a playdough recipe to make tree ornaments. One of my favorites in the book is an explanation of the Feast of the Holy Innocents, which is an often overlooked feast in the Church as it sits in the Octave of Christmas. Another totally unique project is the one entitled "Hidden Life--Forcing Bulbs" in which the family plants bulbs and then forces them in the spring. This provides great metaphors for the connection between Christmas and Easter, the hidden life of the childhood of Jesus, and the coming of his light into the world. The coloring pages include pictures of the saints that are featured in the book, manger scenes, angels, and a decorated alphabet.

Another really nice feature of this book is that the pages have a single line of scriptural text printed around the margins. I didn't notice this the first time I used the book last year. It is a lovely touch.

Recommended for the whole family!

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
Margot Davidson
First reviewed: 
8-29-05

Adventures of Saint Paul

Author(s): 
Oldrich Selucky
Illustrator(s): 
Zdenka Krejcova
Translator(s): 
Marianne Lorraine Trouve, FSP
Number of pages: 
86 pages
Copyright: 
2008
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Biographies
Religion
Setting: 
Ancient Rome
Ancient Israel
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Review: 
In this house, all I have to do is leave out a book with a bright, colorful, intriguing cover like Adventures of Saint Paul and someone will ask, "Hey, Mom, can I read this book?" For the emerging reader, who has a few words under his or her belt, Adventures of Saint Paul relates the fascinating story of St. Paul on a simple level without the dumbed down language of the early reader. Meeting children where they are, the story opens with St. Paul as a young boy, who would rather ask the Rabbi questions than make tents with his father. But he doesn't remain a boy for long. The story moves quickly through his adventurous life as he travels extensively from one town to the next with his many different companions: Luke, Timothy,Barnabas, etc. The story focuses on his untiring love in bringing the message of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible under the most trying of circumstances. The story paints an accurate picture of how some Christians were wary of him and others, who were not Christian, were not sure about this man, Jesus, even to the point of driving Paul out of their town. Keeping in mind the young reader, the story omits the gruesome details of his persecuting Christians, his sufferings, and his death. Adventures of Saint Paul offers a lighthearted look at Saint Paul for the younger child. With a pleasant balance of text and dialogue, it would also make an ideal read aloud as the engaging story moves quickly along with colorful, lively pictures. There is a pronunciation guide and a prayer to St. Paul at the back of the book. Touching on the highlights of his life, this would make a first-rate introduction to the life of St. Paul for young children, especially during this year dedicated by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to St. Paul.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

For the learning reader, you will want to assist the child with some of the words they will struggle with like Macedonia and synagogue.

Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
9-13-2008

Akimbo and the Crocodile Man

And other books in the Akimbo series
Cover: Akimbo and the Crocodile Man
Author(s): 
Alexander McCall Smith
Illustrator(s): 
LeUyen Pham
Number of pages: 
67 pages
Copyright: 
2008
ISBN: 
9781582346922
Publisher: 
Egmont Books, Limited
Subject(s): 
Stories for Children
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 3-5
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

This series for young readers, written by my favorite contemporary author, has all Husband and I look for in a children's book:

  • excellent writing
  • interesting story
  • active, forward pace
  • realistic character development and a setting that is foreign and fascinating
  • and finally a virtuous protagonist

During a recent illness my ten-year-old and I spent a fair amount of time on the couch, and we took turns reading aloud three volumes of this series. I just requested the two others from our Inter Library Loan. A children's book is a winner when the teens and adults in the house stop to listen to the story. No juvenile fluff here, but interesting plots that appeal to anyone. Akimbo is the sweet, but courageous and clever young son of an African park ranger. Helping his dad, and armed with his noble soul and courage and determination, he is able to find adventure and ways to help others in each of the stories.

The illustrations are wonderful! We stopped at each illustrated page and made comments about how good they were. I am including one here that shows the amount of expression on young Akimbo's face as he tells the head ranger of what he just discovered...

Alexander McCall Smith, the author, grew up in Africa and returns there each year. He knows what he is writing about, and you can sense from his writing that in his heart there lives a deep love and admiration for Africa. I highly recommend this series for anyone looking for a good children's series!

Also see our review of Akimbo and the Lions, here.

Reviewed by: 
Ana Braga-Henebry
First reviewed: 
Mar 17, 2011

Akimbo and the Lions

Book cover: Akimbo and the Lions
Author(s): 
Alexander McCall Smith
Illustrator(s): 
LeUyen Pham
Number of pages: 
66 pages
Copyright: 
2005
ISBN: 
9781582346878
Publisher: 
Bloomsbury Children's Books
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Stories for Children
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Resource Type: 
Picture Books
Review: 

Akimbo is a young African boy whose father is a head ranger of a game park. When his father announces that he is going to one of the farms in the south because of reports of a lion attacking cattle, Akimbo convinces his father to let him tag along with the promise that he will be good and help.

True to his word, he does help his father in more ways than one. On the night they set the trap, they are in for a big surprise. Akimbo's quick-witted actions and bravery save his father's life. In the end, they don't catch a lion, but a lion cub, which Akimbo begs his father to keep. The cub grows faster than anyone expects, causing lots of interesting situations.

Beautiful pencil drawings add drama and interest to this easy-to-read, short chapter book set in Africa.

There are many nice qualities to this simple story for emerging readers. Foremost is the wonderful relationship between the father and son. It is apparent that they love and respect one another.

This book is part of a series of books with the main character of Akimbo. The book would be of interest to children between 3rd and 6th grade.

Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
7-3-2007

Algebra I: A Teaching Textbook

Book cover: 'Algebra I: A Teaching Textbook'
Author(s): 
Greg and Shawn Sabouri
Number of pages: 
654 pages
Copyright: 
2004
ISBN: 
0974903620
Publisher: 
Teaching Textbooks
Binding: 
Spiralbound
Subject(s): 
Algebra
Grade / Age level: 
High School
Review: 

Over the years I have used several different Algebra programs with my children. With Peter, this is the fourth Algebra program we have tried. For various reasons, they have never met our expectations. At long last with Teaching Textbooks Algebra I, we have found one that works.

Before writing a review, I wanted to wait until Peter had completed most of the textbook, so that I would avoid any unpleasant surprises. Right now, he has completed about 2/3rds of the text and my opinion has not changed. This program is a homeschool mom's dream come true.

Designed for homeschool students, there are many reasons to like this program. The material is written in a friendly, conversational tone. The text is laid out in an easy to understand fashion without dumbing down the problems. The pace is not rushed. The story problems often use silly examples, which keep the student's interest as he learns important concepts. The best part of the program are the Solutions CDs. They are like having your own personal Algebra tutor.

Algebra I covers 18 Chapters with 129 lessons for a total of 654 pages. This book is long because the authors take the time to thoroughly explain each new lesson. A sampling of chapter topics includes simple equations, negative numbers, longer equations, powers, and roots. Much more is covered. Lesson 85, for example, is "Completing the Square."

Each "lesson" includes the lesson, practice, and problem set. Each lesson portion presents a new topic written in a conversational tone. Important points are highlighted (literally slightly darkened). The lesson material also covers sample problems of the topic introduced in the lesson. In other words, he does not just talk about the topic; he walks the student through the problems step by step. Similar to any other good Algebra text, the lessons build on previously learned knowledge. The lesson may also include a humorous story problem.

For Peter, he just reads the lesson. There is a lecture CD available for the student to watch and listen to the teacher go over the lesson material. This would be helpful for the student who learns best by hearing or incorporating as many senses as possible. This is the same material as in the lesson.

The next section is the "practice," which includes problems that review the material just covered in the lesson. The last section is the "problem set." This includes previously covered material from other lessons. Just like Saxon Algebra, the problem set covers a variety of topics. The last problem in the "problem set" is a silly story problem. For example, here is the story problem in problem set 7. "The husband and wife toy makers named their son Ken and their daughter Barbie. If 19,125 people in the couple's hometown--exactly 75% of the population--think the couple is crazy, what is the total population of the town?"

What makes this Algebra program a homeschool mom's dream come true are the Solutions CDs. These allow the student, for the most part, to work independently, freeing me to work with my other children. Now there are times when my son does ask me questions. He may want to know if he is doing a problem correctly or why a problem is coming out wrong. He could ask me or he could go to the Solutions CD, which explains the problem. The times he asks me, however, are few and far between. And if he asks me a question that I can't answer (I'm terrible with story problems) or if I am busy working with another child, he can always pull out the Solutions CD.

There are Solutions CDs for all the problems: the practice problems, the problem set problems, and the chapter test problems. If a student doesn't know how to work out a problem, or after correcting his lesson or the chapter test, the answer is wrong and he doesn't know why, he pulls out the CD he needs and pops it into the computer. There is a menu and he chooses the exact lesson and problem. He doesn't waste time looking for the answer. The answer begins with the problem displayed. The teacher then builds the answer from there, explaining the answer line by line. It is as if the teacher is standing at the head of the classroom, working through the problem. You hear the teacher's voice as he writes out the problem step by step on the "board" (screen). His voice is pleasant and very relaxed, which helps when you are dealing with a frustrated student.

Since the answer key only includes the final answers, the Solutions CDs are essential. There is no solutions manual. The answer key book includes practice set answers, problems set answers, and chapter tests with answers.

I won't say Peter doesn't get frustrated at times. Algebra and math are not his favorite subjects. But I will say his frustration level is far less than if he had used some of the programs we had used in the past. Also, I will add that this program won't work, just like any other math program, if the child does not correct and redo his work daily, since new material is based on previously learned concepts. If foundational concepts are learned incorrectly, the student will dig himself into a deeper and deeper hole. Sometimes, all that is necessary is for a parent to ask the student to show her his daily corrected work to see that he is on task.

This Algebra program has made my job as a homeschool mom so much easier. It is like having an Algebra tutor whenever I need him. Teaching Textbooks now has available Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. You can preview sample lessons, sample lectures, sample solutions, the table of contents, and more at www.teachingtextbooks.com. The complete package includes spiral bound student textbook, answer key & test bank, lecture and practice CDs, Solutions CDs, and Test Solutions CD.

Quibble:

A comment from another reviewer (Suchi Myjak): The book's explanation of the associative property as given for both addition and multiplication is wrong. The property described in the book as the "associative property" is actually a combintation of the associative and the commutative properties. Please see my post on Unity of Truth for more details and the correct definitions of the properties. In Lesson 26, page 126, the book explains the associative property of addition in these words:

You already know the rule that two numbers can be added in any order (the commutative property of addition). Well, it turns out that this rule can actually be extended to longer strings of numbers. ... So our new rule is that a string of numbers (however many) can be added in any order. The technical name for this rule is the associative property of addition.

This, unfortunately, is wrong. The associative property is not the commutative property "extended to longer strings of numbers." It is a completely separate and independent property. Nor is it the rule "that a string of numbers (however many) can be added in any order," although it is one of the properties that makes that rule possible. After the above quote, the book correctly lists the equation defining the associative property, but then goes on to say things like:

That means the expression 3 + x + 4 + 1 can be rearranged any way you want and its value won't change. So 3 + x + 4 + 1 and x + 3 + 4 + 1 and 1 + 4 + 3 + x are all equivalent.

This example concretely shows the confusion on this topic by moving the operands around. This is possible only with the commutative property. The associative property does not allow rearranging of operands. Later, page 131 (Lesson 27), says the following about the associative property of multiplication:

In fact, no matter how many numbers are in a string, they can be multiplied in any order without changing the answer. This rule is called the associative property of multiplication.

This is also wrong, and for the same reasons. Please see an explanation on the commutative and associative properties here. You may wish to print it out to share with your student.

Additional notes: 

Answer Key & Test Bank, 111 pages, softcover.

This review is of an older edition that shipped with a set of 8 CDs, divided into Lecture and Practice CDs and Solutions CDs (over 120 hours total).

Update: As of 2024, Teaching Textbooks is phasing out sales of CDs and moving to a subscription app model. Instead of purchasing a set of CDs that you can use for years, parents instead will need to purchase access to the app. The current 12-month price is $73. You can try out the app for free – visit their website for details. The books continue to be available.

Reviewed by: 
Elizabeth Yank
First reviewed: 
5-5-06

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