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Home in the Cave

Book Cover
Author(s): 
Janet Halfmann
Illustrator(s): 
Shennen Bersani
Number of pages: 
35 pages
Copyright: 
2012
Publisher: 
Sylvan Dell Publishing
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Baby Bat learns about the importance of guano to a cave's ecosystem in Janet Halfmann's new book "Home in the Cave." Children learn about bats and other creatures that live in caves through the exploration of Baby Bat and his pack rat friend. As with all Sylvan Dell books, the last pages contain more information and activities related to the story. Don't let the insects and guano deter you from this fun and informative book!
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
6-26-2012

Homer Price

Book cover: 'Homer Price'
Author(s): 
Robert McCloskey
Number of pages: 
149 pages
Copyright: 
1943
Publisher: 
Puffin Books
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
These clever and humorous stories of the adventures of a brainy, problem-solving small-town boy make great reading for grade-schoolers (especially boys) or a terrific read-aloud. This is suitable for rolling-on-the-floor type laughing (not terribly well-suited to bedtime!). A real classic! The sequel, Centerberg Tales is just as good. Older children may also appreciate allusions to liberal naming of townspeople after characters from the Iliad.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-25-02

Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook

Book cover: 'Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook'
Author(s): 
Cafi Cohen
Number of pages: 
321 pages
Copyright: 
2000
Publisher: 
Prima Publishing
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
This book provides loads of information regarding homeschool admissions to college. Although not written specifically for Catholics, the author did solicit survey responses from Catholics (the webmaster was one of the respondents and has several quotes in the book under the pseudonym "Alexa") and there is a great deal of valuable information for any homeschoolers applying for college. It will be especially helpful for those beginning the admissions process with some trepidation and those wanting to attend colleges that are not especially known to be homeschool friendly.

Mrs. Cohen provides a great deal of advice (from herself as well as parents and homeschool graduates have successfully gone through the admissions process) on shopping for colleges, the diploma question, portfolios, transcripts, essays (an important aspect of admissions for homeschool applicants), letters of recommendation, testing, and a chapter on how homeschoolers are doing in college.

Although it is important to seek out information from a Catholic perspective as well (particularly with regards to choosing a good college), this book will be very useful to homeschoolers eagerly, but nervously seeking to apply to the college of their choice.

Perspective: 
Christian
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1-30-01

How Do Bees Make Honey?

Book cover: How Do Bees Make Honey?
Author(s): 
Anna Claybourne
Number of pages: 
24 pages
Copyright: 
1994
ISBN: 
9780746017654
Publisher: 
Usborne
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

A small, inexpensive book filled with pictures and lots of other information picture about bees and other insects. You'll learn how to tell bees apart from other insects, how bees live together in colonies and all about their beehives, how bees communicate with each other (my children have really enjoyed trying to re-enact the bee's dances) and of course how bees make honey. The one thing I didn't like is that the material is so disjointed because it jumps around between different kinds of insects.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

How Much Can a Bare Bear Bear?

What are Homonyms and Homophones?
Author(s): 
Brian P. Cleary
Illustrator(s): 
Brian Gable
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Publisher: 
Millbrook Press
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
Do you know what homonyms and homophones are? If not, this book will certainly help you understand them. With clever writing and silly cartoon illustrations (and a somewhat obnoxious typeface), they give many clever and memorable examples of each. Here's a small sampling of text from each of the two segments:
Homonyms are words that sound and also look alike. But they have different meanings, as in "Can you pass that can, Mike?" Or "May I sail with you in May and coast along the coast?
and
Now, some words sound identical but are spelled in different way. These words are known as homophones. Like praise and preys and prays. Though homophones have matching sounds, their meanings aren't the same. And there isn't any question, they're as fun as any game.
The homonym and homophone pairs are highlighted in matching colors to make it easy to identify each set. On the whole, we found this book both entertaining and helpful.
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
6-27-2009

How the Reformation Happened

Book cover: 'How the Reformation Happened'
Author(s): 
Hilaire Belloc
Copyright: 
1928
Publisher: 
TAN Books and Publishers
Binding: 
Softcover
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This book is a surprisingly readable and interesting account of "How the Reformation Happened". Although it is written from a Catholic perspective, Mr. Belloc is very fair in dishing out the blame to the appropriate people on both sides. The years covered are 1517 (when Martin Luther affixed his protest against the Indulgences to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany) to 1648, but also includes commentary of the implications of the "Reformation" on our own times. He covers all the major countries involved and is very skilled at explaining the essentials of what happened and the lessons we should take from it. This is the answer for homeschoolers looking for the whole story of what is so often misrepresented in History texts - whether Protestant or Secular. It makes good reading for adults who are teaching younger children or for high schoolers to read on their own. Includes a complete index.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-25-2000

How to Celebrate Christmas as a Catholic

Book cover: 'How to Celebrate Christmas as a Catholic'
Author(s): 
Amy Welborn
Copyright: 
2005
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
This nice pamphlet is a simple introduction to Catholic customs and keeping Advent and Christmas meaningful and holy. The Advent segment overviews traditions such as the Advent Wreath, Jesse Tree and Advent Calendar and makes suggestions for remember the great Marian feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. There are brief explanations of the symbolism and history of some of these customs as well as relevant tidbits. The Christmas segment covers Christmas Mass, the Nativity Scene, Christmas Trees, Candles, Exchanging Gifts and Sharing a Feast, helping readers understand the religious significance and importance of each. The pamphlet concludes with a "Christmas Season" segment which includes the Solemity of Mary, the Mother of God; the Epiphany and the Baptism of Our Lord.

This inexpensive booklet ($12.95 for 50) is a good start for those wishing to better understand Catholic customs and a holy celebration of Christmas. You would need to do further research to implement some of the customs in your home, but the information is readily available on the Internet and elsewhere.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

full color pamphlet

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
11-29-05

How We Learned the Earth is Round

Book cover: 'How We Learned the Earth is Round'
Author(s): 
Patricia Lauber
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1990
Publisher: 
Harper Collins
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

A history and science picture book that covers the development of man's understanding of the shape of the earth focusing on the discoveries of the Greeks and on the voyages of Christopher Columbus and Magellan. Currently out-of-print

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-5-01

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