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April Book List for Moms

Don't you wish you could take a reading retreat? 

My husband and I will be taking a trip (just the two of us!) for our 20th wedding anniversary in June, and I plan to just READ and lay on the beach.  I can't wait! 

I'm already picking out the beach reads I want to get lost in for those 5 glorious days.

Back to reality.... for now I'm at home and continuing to keep up my reading resolution.  The books I read last month range from a HUGE piece of historical fiction to a book written by a friend of mine - fun! 

April Book List for Moms

 

Historical Fiction

I've mentioned before this my favorite genre, and after all of this reading in 2017 I'm still convinced of that.

A Fine Balance

Rohinton Mistry tells the story of India in 1975.  There is so much I didn't know about this time in India's history, and so many interesting parallels between current situations in the world today. 

The writing is vivid, fast paced, oddly humorous, and poignant.  At 600+ pages it is quite long, but well worth the time investment.  If I had unlimited reading times I would have finished it in a few days, but it's taken me all month by reading a little each night and when I can sneak in a few minutes while waiting at my kids' activities.

It chronicles such a sad time in India's history -- for some reason it reminded me of Orphan Train, which also chronicled sad time in American history. 


Classics

I do double duty on this one - reading for my daughter's homeschool and my own enrichment. 

Out of the Silent Planet

Please don't send me hate mail, but I haven't enjoyed that much CS Lewis  (other than The Chronicles of Narnia) up to this point - I think it's an acquired taste and attention level. 

This book, however, was enjoyable to me and I would love to read the next in his space trilogy.  I was intrigued by the science fiction/fairy tale mix in this book. 


Professional/Personal Development

Professional and personal development are really one in the same when you are a homeschool mom and curriculum author and blogger. It's not hard for me to read these books because I learn so much and see so much of myself in them!

A Touch of The Infinite: Studies in Music Appreciation with Charlotte Mason

This book is speaking to my heart. In writing the SQUILT curriculum I use more of a Classical and eclectic approach - but I suspect I'm doing a lot of Charlotte Mason's principles without knowing it. 

That is true, but there is also so much I need to learn and this book by Megan Hoyt is such a wonderful primer on Charlotte Mason and music appreciation. I would recommend it for ANYONE, not just musicians. 

Lesson at Blackberry Inn: Adventures with the Gentle Art of Learning

If you enjoyed A Pocketful of Pinecones, Lessons at Blackberry Inn will captivate you as well. Karen Andreola always motivates me to be a more intentional, kind, patient, and quiet mother. 

Lost and Found: Losing Religion, Finding Grace

This book, written by my friend Kendra Fletcher (who is a wonderful blogger and podcaster in the homeschool space), is her moving story of tragedy that struck her family - not just ONCE, but multiple times. 

It is the story of her journey to lose her religion and find GRACE in the process.  

I was so proud as I read this book because I know Kendra's story personally - she sat with me years ago over lunch and shared it with me. To see her dream of a book finally in print makes me very happy.  I know you will love it! 

In her book you will learn about her miracle son, "Mighty" Joe - and I love that we can follow on now with Joe on Kendra's blog. 


As you can see, this month has been a lighter reading month, but I'm trying to give myself grace and just KEEP ON READING.

What have you been reading lately?  

Share it with me in the comments and I'll add it to my list!

April Book List for Moms

Children's Literature for April

April is almost here and as I'm working on putting together my list of books for April, I can hardly believe we are approaching the end of Cycle 2 in Classical Conversations.

Time really does fly by.

As I look back on all that we have studied in Cycle 2 this year, I am pleased at all the children's literature we have read that relates to our Classical Conversations memory work.

Good books help the memory work come alive. 

As I put together this list, it really hit me how close we are to the end of this year in Foundations. We are going to enjoy these last few weeks reading plenty of good books together. I hope you do too!

*Thank you to Amy, Homegrown Learners' Children's Literature Expert, for this month's book list!


This list of children's literature for April covers the last couple of weeks of Cycle 2. I have not found any children's books specifically about The Gulf War. However, our family has a copy of The Liberation of Kuwait - Honoring The Veterans of Desert Storm  that was a gift to my husband since he is a veteran of Desert Storm. He will spend some time going through this book with our children, showing them pictures of his time overseas, and sharing stories about his service.

If you know of any children's literature about The Gulf War, please do share in the comments. 

I also included some books about September 11, 2001 since we will be covering that in the timeline. I always get choked up when we get to that part in the song. There are several children's books about 9/11 on the list. I'm particularly interested to read Saved By the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11 with my children. This is a story I'm not familiar with. We all know that tragedy does happen in our world. But when it does, I like to point my children to the heroes and this book looks like it will do just that. 

The science books I included are on the general topics of heat and electricity to provide some additional coverage of these topics for your children. My children just love anything Magic School Bus. And I think many of us homeschool moms have an inexplicable desire to be a little like Ms. Frizzle. 

There are several books on the list to help you explore adjectives and interjections with your children.  Zounds! is a dictionary of interjections that could be really fun for Essentials students. 

There is also a list of books about U.S. Presidents since they will be covered in the final week of the year. 

Children's Literature for April - Spring Sillies

In addition to the books related to our Foundations memory work, I have also included some books to help engage your children in the holidays in April.

The first day of April is known as April Fools' Day. I prefer to celebrate what we call Spring Sillies with my kiddos instead of encouraging them to play pranks on others.

So, I've included a few books that are just fun and silly books to read with your children like Do Not Open This Book! and Warning: Do Not Open This Book! The titles of these books just seem to draw kids in to wanting to see what's inside. 

The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak is a unique book that demonstrates you don't have to have pictures to have an interesting book. Here's a snippet of the author, B.J. Novak reading it aloud to a group of students.

See how much fun they are having?  Seems perfect for Spring Sillies to me. 

Children's Literature for April - Palm Sunday & Easter

The books I've listed for Palm Sunday and Easter help bring focus to the real meaning of these important events. I've included Amon's Adventure: A Family Story for Easter that I'm reading with my ten year old this year. It is a historical fiction book designed to read as a family as Easter approaches. We have read and enjoyed some of the Christmas stories in this same series, but this is our first year reading the Easter book. This is one for your older children while the picture books would work well for younger ages. 

Children's Literature for April

In summary, this list of children's literature for April includes picture books and chapter books on the following topics:

  • That align with our Classical Conversations memory work:

    • President George H.W. Bush

    • Nelson Mandela

    • Beethoven

    • Brahms

    • Dvorak

    • Orchestra Instruments

    • September 11, 2001

    • Heat and electricity

    • Adjectives and interjections

    • U.S. Presidents

  • April Fools Day / Spring Sillies

  • Palm Sunday and Easter

 


George Bush: Forty-First President 1989-1993 (Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents)George Bush: Forty-First President 1989-1993 (Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents)George H. W. Bush (Kid's Guide to Drawing the Presidents of the United States o)George H. W. Bush (Kid's Guide to Drawing the Presidents of the United States o)Who Was Nelson Mandela?Who Was Nelson Mandela?National Geographic Readers: Nelson Mandela (Readers Bios)National Geographic Readers: Nelson Mandela (Readers Bios)Nelson Mandela (Great Figures in History series)Nelson Mandela (Great Figures in History series)Ludwig Van Beethoven (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)Ludwig Van Beethoven (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)Why Beethoven Threw the Stew (And Lots More Stories about the Lives of Great Composers)Why Beethoven Threw the Stew (And Lots More Stories about the Lives of Great Composers)Beethoven (Famous Children)Beethoven (Famous Children)Beethoven Lives UpstairsBeethoven Lives UpstairsWhat's So Great About Beethoven?: A Biography of Ludwig van Beethoven Just for Kids! (Volume 10)What's So Great About Beethoven?: A Biography of Ludwig van Beethoven Just for Kids! (Volume 10)Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Piano ClassicsBeethoven's Wig: Sing Along Piano ClassicsWelcome to the Symphony: A Musical Exploration of the Orchestra Using Beethoven's Symphony No. 5Welcome to the Symphony: A Musical Exploration of the Orchestra Using Beethoven's Symphony No. 5Story of the Orchestra : Listen While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music and the Composers Who Wrote the Music!Story of the Orchestra : Listen While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music and the Composers Who Wrote the Music!Brahms (Famous Children (Paperback))Brahms (Famous Children (Paperback))Johannes Brahms (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)Johannes Brahms (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers)Two Scarlet Songbirds: A Story of Anton DvorakTwo Scarlet Songbirds: A Story of Anton DvorakNine, Ten: A September 11 StoryNine, Ten: A September 11 StoryI Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived, Book 6)I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (I Survived, Book 6)Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11 (Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books)Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11 (Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books)America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell (Actual Times)America Is Under Attack: September 11, 2001: The Day the Towers Fell (Actual Times)September 11 Then and Now (True Books)September 11 Then and Now (True Books)The Magic School Bus in the Arctic: A Book About HeatThe Magic School Bus in the Arctic: A Book About HeatThe Magic School Bus And The Electric Field TripThe Magic School Bus And The Electric Field TripCharged Up: The Story of Electricity (Science Works)Charged Up: The Story of Electricity (Science Works)Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives (Explore!)Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book About Adjectives (Explore!)Things That Are Most in the WorldThings That Are Most in the WorldIf You Were an Adjective (Word Fun)If You Were an Adjective (Word Fun)Fantastic! Wow! and Unreal!: A Book About Interjections and Conjunctions (Explore!) by Heller, Ruth (2000) PaperbackFantastic! Wow! and Unreal!: A Book About Interjections and Conjunctions (Explore!) by Heller, Ruth (2000) PaperbackCool! Whoa! Ah and Oh!: What Is an Interjection? (Words Are Categorical) (Words Are Categorical (Paperback))Cool! Whoa! Ah and Oh!: What Is an Interjection? (Words Are Categorical) (Words Are Categorical (Paperback))If You Were an Interjection (Word Fun)If You Were an Interjection (Word Fun)ZOUNDS!: A Browser's Dictionary of InterjectionsZOUNDS!: A Browser's Dictionary of InterjectionsThe Book with No PicturesThe Book with No PicturesDo Not Open This BookDo Not Open This BookWarning: Do Not Open This Book!Warning: Do Not Open This Book!Humphrey's First Palm SundayHumphrey's First Palm SundayThe Donkey That No One Could RideThe Donkey That No One Could RideLittle Colt's Palm SundayLittle Colt's Palm SundayThe Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional FolktaleThe Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional FolktaleThe Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story: Stickers Included! (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story: Stickers Included! (Berenstain Bears/Living Lights)Amon's Adventure: A Family Story for EasterAmon's Adventure: A Family Story for EasterThe Legend of the Easter EggThe Legend of the Easter EggEaster Bunny, Are You For Real?Easter Bunny, Are You For Real?Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection EggsBenjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs

 



I want to remind you of the many wonderful resources Mary offers to help you teach your children about the orchestra. I am thankful to have someone like Mary provide guidance on teaching my children about classical music and the orchestra.

Did you attend her recent webinar on Vivaldi's "Spring"? My kiddos really enjoyed it and we are looking forward to what she offers in the future. 

And her newest resource in the SQUILT family, Meet the Instruments: Explore the Orchestra is a beautiful way to introduce your children to the orchestra. These give you a beautiful hands-on resource to introduce your students to the instruments of the orchestra. 


I am always on the lookout for good children's books. Do you have any other recommendations for children's literature for April?