Dear Stephanie asked:
As our country heads towards more censorship and a rewriting of our own history, I'd like to start a history book collection that is solid. I don't really know where to start. Do you have any recommendations?
Dear Stephanie,
Since early on, I've been posting about good books in my own laconic, desultory fashion. In my defense, it would be impossible to provide a comprehensive list of good books even on one topic, such as history; what I've always tried to do is to point out the sort of book you should be looking for, on the theory that once you get started, you soon find others, because friends make suggestions, lists overlap, or even search engines (such as on Amazon) offer similar examples.
Another difficulty is that you need books for all ages, from kindergarten through high school. And history is about the whole world, throughout time.
Obviously, given the extremely large number of factoids one could choose when one multiplies every second of every day since time began by every person who ever lived, choices have to be made.
The necessity of choice leads me to something everyone has to understand: All history is written with a point of view. Last fall I posted on Facebook about an article criticizing certain curricula chosen by conservative Catholic homeschoolers. You can read it here, along with the comments. I was actually pretty angry about the article, since I happen to know a bit about Cortez and the Aztecs, so I admit, I went in swinging.
The author of the piece actually got in touch with me and we had an exchange that confirmed to me that while he is open to discussion, and I appreciate that, he himself lacks self-awareness about the prevailing point of view that leads him to criticize traditional curricula. Having accepted critical race theory (and Marxist theory in general, whether he realizes it or not), he is blind to his own bias. And of course, the editors of the magazine have their own purposes in undermining homeschoolers' attempts to protect their children from ideological attack.
In my post about this article, I acknowledge my own “west-o-centric” viewpoint, for the very good reason that it is the only one that cares to examine events at all. One simply doesn't find the objectivity necessary to try to make sense of past events in an academic way in non-western cultures. One simply doesn't find the idea of “the academy” in non-western cultures.
(I actually highly recommend the book that is the main subject of his critique, Anne Carroll's Christ the King Lord of History. But I recommend that you use it as an outline to help guide you in making your own course of study using more lively materials. In the Facebook post I explain its virtue, that it offers the only possible organizing principle for studying the vastness of the past.)
On top of all of of these problems, there's the pedagogical issue, completely not understood in our time: that education is not about having a boatload of facts to pound into a child, nor is it about mainlining ideology into them, either.
True education helps the child open up to reality, giving him principles, keeping him connected to those who have gone before. Today, education has been hijacked by those who try to do the opposite by severing connections, including connections to truth — yes, they lie (I'll link to an important essay I've shared in the past, below, on how that happens specifically in the study of history).
Fortunately, once you understand the great divide between those who, understanding the inherent problems of the enterprise, do their best to offer a coherent understanding of events, and those who, determined to separate future generations from the past, falsify and ideologically massage events and subvert the very institutions they occupy, you can at least identify the latter and keep their works off of your shelves.
So what do I recommend?
As always, stick mainly with old books. I'm not sure about the exact time period, but somewhere from the late 40s to the early 70s, the main publishers produced a plethora of excellent works aimed at children from the early-reading stage to high school. I've pictured a few here — there are many, and looking up some leads you to others.
The Landmark Series is perhaps the outstanding example of history books for children. This article captures their quality (mainly due to choosing actual interesting authors to write about fascinating subjects):
“The books first sold for $1.50 (about $13.25 today)—not bad for a hardcover. Random House wisely packaged them with inviting dust jackets for the general reader, and in reinforced bindings for libraries (often with the dust jacket image embossed on the front cover). The paper was of the highest quality: even today the pages haven't yellowed. All the books came in just under 200 pages, with a legible Caslon font, reasonably wide margins, and even comprehensive indexes. They were illustrated, then the norm for children's books. Each Landmark volume had about 10 one-color block prints, although in the 1960s photographs became more common. Cerf [the publisher] shrewdly linked them to the Book-of-the-Month Club: about 70,000 Young Readers of America, as they were called, received Landmark books on a regular basis, along with a “personal” letter from the author, inviting the reader to dive right in.”
Look for them second hand. Library binding offers longevity and satisfying durability.
While teaching history, teach geography too! I've written about the Twins books, by Lucy Fitch Perkins. Super not PC. But you know what? Children need stories and love to think of other little children wearing different clothes and eating different foods, and the Twins books are a charming way to offer this picture of a wide world. (And some are more historical than others.) Lapbooks can be a great way to help a child assimilate what he has read.
Read history books that you love — any high school senior can read them too. Ones that top our list at the moment: Anything by David McCullough, Paul Johnson's History of the American People (look for a used hardback edition), Arguing about Slavery: John Quincy Adams and the Great Battle in the United States Congress…
Historical fiction is another way to learn more. A few of my favorites: for adults: Kristin Lavransdattar (for seniors and older, due to her bad life choices, for which she has to spend her life atoning, but sometimes that lesson is lost on someone too young), In a Dark Wood Wandering, Helena (the biting satire of which might be lost on those not familiar with the Anglican world inhabited by Evelyn Waugh — yet another reason for entering into other eras alertly, rather than imposing on them as if we know everything — you miss the joke). My husband just finished Robert Harris' An Officer and a Spy, a novel about the Dreyfus Affair. Gates of Fire is “An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae” — I couldn't get comfy with it but your intense teenage boy will love it. Janice Holt Giles wrote a series of historical novels about Kentucky — my favorite is Hannah Fowler, which I wrote about here.
For younger ones: The Killer Angels (high school), The Bronze Bow, Come Rack! Come Rope!, Johnny Tremain, The Little House Books. Laura Ingalls Wilder has already come under attack for being racist, and honestly, this critique demonstrates for me the determination of some to wrench everything into their binary world view. A good rebuttal can be found here, and also in a calm reading of her books.
I've linked a bunch to Amazon here (with affiliate links, thank you) — but really, try to find hardback versions, used, when possible. One's library is enhanced by well produced books.
Memoria Press offers an excellent catalogue. Ambleside Online has booklists galore. Go to my list of lists — many of the most beloved books are historical in nature and will round out your library.
Timelines will help organize and systematize. I cannot emphasize enough, and it took me so long to realize this, that each child making his own timeline of history is so important. This is an ongoing project that can (and will) take several forms. Charlotte Mason has her century books, you can have a family timeline that marches along the wall, and each student can have a timeline in a binder (sounds not like a line but works very well). This latter form allows scope for adding maps, essays, lists, and what have you.
By the way, in an ongoing attempt to do my part in educating readers here on the blog about this ideological warfare that is waged in our schools and now, gaining traction, in our town squares and news outlets, I post just about every week some essay on the subject. So do go back through the bits & pieces archives to see what you may have missed — maybe you thought, “now why would I be interested in that” — well, the intellectual assault we are enduring right now is why!
bits & pieces
In general matters touching the study of history:
- Most decent people, while aware that scholars might have their own interpretations of history, resist the thought that they would deliberately falsilfy it. Most who are not in academe today may not be aware that falsifying history is considered rather the thing, not least because it's easier. The incomparable Gertrude Himmelfarb explains: Tradition and Creativity in the Writing of History
- There's no doubt that our cultural institutions have been subverted. The Long March through the institutions has been accomplished. Building your own library and educating your own children is the appropriate response for sure.
- Does all of this sound extreme? We are actually at the endpoint — where not only is it happening (as it has been for decades), but the rhetoric has been perfected to make what is not good seem good — seem equitable, anti-racist, inclusive, and so on, when in fact it is the opposite. California's proposed ethnic studies curriculum is a case in point; don't be surprised if your state contemplates something similar.
On a more positive note:
- A sweet interactive page — click on the bird and wait a few seconds — you will hear a recording of its song. Linked within is this page, from Cornell Labs, with more extensive information. Even more.
- I never stop repeating: the goal of education is to learn what we ought to love (and to learn what not to love).
- How to make a home altar (to go along with your little oratory!).
Just thinking about things:
- A lecture about Frédéric Bastiat; he has a lot to say to us today, I believe.
- Regarding the Covid vaccine: A long article exploring the reasons given by theologians to accept (with reservations) immorally derived vaccines. If you scroll down, you will see my comment, registering my objections.
from the archives
- The best and simplest pot roast you'll ever make. It has one ingredient that you can keep in your pantry until you need it (it makes your tomato sauce better too). Really. Try it. (And if you use the Instant Pot, you can even skip the browning. I find that my meats brown up in there without any separate step!)
- The reasonably clean bathroom. (For the story of the minor miracle of matching that great paint color, go here)
liturgical living
- Tomorrow the Seven Sundays of St. Joseph begin. (I think I told you before that you can tell they're beginning because of the Super Bowl, but calendars are hard.) I love St. Joseph so much and have posted about this a lot. For ideas on how to observe this preparation for his feast, go here.
- Candlemas is Tuesday. Ask your priest to bless your candles!
follow us everywhere!
Rosie’s “photo a day” project on IG continues! Follow her there “if you’re not a creeper” (her account is set to private but you can go ahead and request).
Stay abreast of the posts when they happen:
We share pretty pictures: Auntie Leila’s Instagram, Rosie’s Instagram. Sukie’s Instagram. Deirdre’s Instagram. Bridget’s Instagram.
Auntie Leila’s Facebook (you can just follow — my posts are public — sometimes I share articles here that don’t make it into {bits & pieces})
The boards of the others: Rosie’s Pinterest. Sukie’s Pinterest. Deirdre’s Pinterest. Habou’s Pinterest. Bridget’s Pinterest.
Rosie Hill says
Non-homeschoolers seem completely ignorant of the fact that it’s possible to use one book as a “spine” and then supplement liberally with a variety of other books! My oldest is using From Sea to Shining Sea this year, from the Catholic Textbook Project, but a very engaging text that I’m enjoying reading as well, and unlike most American history books, it doesn’t completely ignore the Spanish and French explorations of North and South America. Imagine, American history doesn’t begin with the pilgrims!
Leila says
Thanks, Rosie — good way of putting it. Without a starting point of an outline or spine, one is in danger of never getting anywhere! These texts are so helpful with that. Great resource!
Bley says
I see this post is going to become one of what I consider your “all-time greatest hits;” right up there with “Affirmation in the thick of things” and “Six-to-eleven year olds need less patience from you” !!
Leila says
Thank you — it’s an important topic! Families will be little arks with their libraries!
Mckenna says
Bley, I’ve probably read “affirmation in the thick of it” once a year since it’s original posting. It is truly a greatest hit!
Dixie says
As a college history professor, I share many of your concerns, Leila. I recommend that parents consider the Catholic History Project textbooks (like the one Rosie mentions above). I do prefer them to Anne Carroll’s book. Carroll was actually involved in them but they also bring in the perspective of a variety of other Catholic historians, including many who successfully straddle both the academic and orthodox Catholic worlds. The books for older students involve more complex views of history than those for the younger ones, as is appropriate. The handling of the Reformation is always a sticking point for me in high school history, and the middle/high school textbook’s approach is very good (discussing the reasons and factors leading to Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, etc. *without* arguing that their actions were either correct or somehow necessary; we do need to seek to understand historical figures and their actions). They do not have a full range of textbooks yet (their development is ongoing), but there are many to use.
I would add that it is important that older high schoolers have some experience reading and making an argument from primary sources (grandma’s journal? grandads old love letters? the local history room at the public library? anything you can get! it doesn’t have to be hard or perfect). Many people are unaware that histories are argument-driven, because history as a discipline is overall a great debate. The experience of writing a historical argument from primary sources helps students realize how easy it is to misuse history (elide, manipulate, lie) and leads to them reading history both more critically and more generously.
I could go on and on. Do check out those textbooks if you need something engaging and interesting for 3rd-10th grade or so.
Leila says
Thank you, Dixie! In the interest of not making the post too long, I didn’t even bring up the importance of primary sources, but this is what I mean about making a book like Christ the King Lord of History an OUTLINE rather than plunking it in front of your student!
I’m glad to know about that series, thank you!
And the Reformation, yes… this is the main issue that I have with “History of the World” type texts. Some of them are actually quite good; I like The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem van Loon. He knew a lot about history and wrote about it in his own idiosyncratic way without being condescending. It makes a good outline for the parent and lively reading for the child if not overdone — would prepare him for Plutarch later, and after all, every text about ancient history is a retelling of that author’s works.
But the problem is, when you step back, that these texts offer a “Whig version of history” in which enlightenment comes at the Reformation and subsequent events demonstrate how mankind — er, humankind — progressively becomes more enlightened on the road to equality and a utopian existence.
Susan Wise Bauer’s Story of Mankind is very much in this mode. When she was writing it, she blogged about her espousal of this very approach, and revealed in the process that she believes that ultimately, religion will come to shed its tendency to oppress women (as well as its roots in pagan darkness, which she, like most Protestants, sees the Church of Rome as a continuation of, until rescued by Luther), who will be able to step out, finally, to the clear light of equality. (Besides, she issued calls for grad students to write large portions of the text; the exact opposite of how van Loon on the one hand and the publishers I mention in the post on the other did it — they were TRYING to be interesting and not “textbook dry”!)
So it seems to me that the study of history should have as its principles that it keeps the Incarnation as the center and that it simultaneously (and paradoxically) prioritizes *captivating story-telling* and *primary sources*.
I’d be happy to hear more from you on any of this!
Katherine says
I work for the Catholic Textbook Project. Anne Carroll did not have much involvement with our books. She was a research contributor to one of our early books, but since then we have not dealt with her. The goal of CTP is to tell history in an engaging storytelling. We fully acknowledge the Catholic contributions to history because history would not be the same without the Catholic Church. We strive for accuracy, not whitewashing the Church or her members (a criticism of Mrs. Caroll’s book), yet at the same time coming from a Catholic worldview.
I am a homeschooler and I understand the criticism that homeschoolers have of textbooks. CTP tries to be anti-textbook in character. I am all for reading living history, but that cannot be the sole form of history study. It lacks structure and a good textbook can provide a spine to jump from. Second, a good writer of historical novels considers the story first. If history needs to be changed slightly to make a good story, he/she will do it. (Think Shakespeare.) Much of the dismal history knowledge is due to Americans getting their history from movies or historical dramas.
You’ll find more information about CTP and you can read sample chapters
here:https://www.catholictextbookproject.com/
I also advise reading this piece in Homiletic and Pastoral Review about Catholic history: https://www.hprweb.com/2020/12/can-there-be-a-catholic-history/?fbclid=IwAR0JArfX9YkhGcSnMkpd3GvR2zWFPNvFWkPGw6_nKeKXIwx4fvpKcB-obO8
Dixie says
Thank you for your work with these textbooks, Katherine! They meet an important need!
Dixie says
I agree with what you say here in your next-to-last paragraph, Auntie Leila. There needs to be some combination of storytelling and critical thinking, all centered on the actual truth about humankind (the Incarnation) and exposure to those sources and artifacts that connect us with the real lives lived in the past.
Whiggish history is a problem that is now compounded by the fashionableness of stealing historical stories from children by telling them that their country has always been bad until *right this moment,* when we are still very bad, except for those few of us who are very good because we know how bad everyone else always was and still is.
In this view, the Enlightenment can’t be good unless the Middle Ages were bad, but also, the present day can’t be good unless yesterday itself was bad. (Or, for example, something people are really attached to that is modern can’t be good unless its predecessor was awful; e.g. the argument that feminism is essential rests on the conviction that most marriages before feminism *must* have been oppressive to women, which actually flies in the face of much historical evidence.)
Of course, we know that that’s not how the world actually works. We win some, we lose some, and if we’re going one direction overall, shouldn’t we expect it to be “the long defeat”? But with plenty of joy and mercy in the midst of it!
It is devastating to a child to have to affirm over and over in history class that those responsible for, well, the past are just…bad.This is no kind of foundation for them.
I will say that about half of my college students come from home schools and half from regular schools, both public and private. The best historical thinkers among them are those who taste the excitement within history and are able to ask themselves the question, How is someone in another time/place both different from me and the same?
They have *questions* about history. They have imaginations, curiousity, and a critical eye! It’s wonderful.
Most of the time, this comes from the history they have learned in conjunction with their textbook reading, not from the textbook itself. Those who arrive at adulthood having only read textbooks, even Catholic ones, and never really having talked about history or played within it don’t have this awareness. They think history is settled and if they read the right book, then they know all about it. They have no idea that history is alive. They think a “good” history book must be 100% correct and if they find one idea wrong in a history book, then the whole book must be wrong. They don’t get it at all.
Learning about history is learning about human nature!
I’ll stop commenting now because I really could go on forever. But I’m always happy to talk history!
Leila says
Great thoughts, Dixie. Especially how demoralizing the current trend is. People have no idea what they are doing to children’s souls when they indoctrinate them into their particular modernistic view.
And yes, I agree, it’s not good to send a child out into the world thinking “now I know” about history — including from a so-called conservative point of view! (This can happen with philosophy too — a too early introduction makes for a closed mind. If a high school senior thinks he pretty much gets Plato, something is not right.)
mhdavidson says
There are several Catholic publishers (me included, and Bethlehem for another) who reprint fiction for kids from the time period you mention. Mother of Divine Grace home school, Mater Amabilis, and Seton homeschool have fabulous fiction lists.
Leila says
Thanks for this comment — leave a link for the readers!
Readers should know that these homeschooling curricula have excellent FB pages (at least I know the Mater Amabilis one does) with ongoing discussions and lists.
Marissa says
What is the name of your imprint, mhdavidson?
Claire says
Not Margot but Hillside Education 🙂
Sunflower says
Highly recommend adding this book to every homeschooling mom’s library before buying any large amount of children’s books. Extremely informative!
Learning from the Left: Children’s Literature, the Cold War, and Radical Politics in the United States by Julia L. Mickenberg
Another title to have, although not nearly as informative is:
Tales for Little Rebels: A Collection of Radical Children’s Literature by Julia L. Mickenberg and Philip Nel
Ann says
Another great resource is Wilfred McClay’s “Land of Hope An Invitation to the Great American Story”. I am using it with my high schooler this year and it has prompted some great discussions. There is also a teacher’s guide with additional primary sources and questions for further discussion. Thanks so much for another wonderful post!
Abby Badillo says
Love the birdsong link! For readers with little ones who might prefer a not-on-a-screen option – we are loving this book (and another in the series) that we gave our 3yo for Christmas: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Backyard-Bird-Songs/dp/1770857443. The songs are of perfect quality, and really lovely pictures and facts about each bird. I think it is very important to help our children to discern the rich variety of flora and fauna God has made. Every time I reread older books (I’m thinking in particular of LM Montgomery and Tolkien) I am struck by how many nature terms they simply take for granted that their readers will know (and which many people no longer do). I am grateful to be able to picture columbine, aster, poppy, marigold, etc etc, and not simply have to translate “abstract flower” or “random plant”. The same is true of bird song: what a gift you give your children when you teach them to know “chickadee, cardinal, hermit thrush.” I’m not explaining it well, but I feel very grateful to the adults in my life who pointed out the birds (and flowers, plants, varieties of trees, peaks of nearby mountains, stars, and so many other things). Trying to pass on these many treasures to my own kids!
Leila says
Good point about the screen — and that book looks amazing!
One could use that site I linked to by giving the child a bird guide and simply playing the bird song that goes with the bird he is pointing to.
But I will be ordering that bird book for sure!
Mrs. Bee says
This is a topic I care and worry so much about! I, too, was schooled in the established way (history as progress, with the Enlightenment as the central event, a kind of secular Incarnation one might say.) I swore my kids wouldn’t go through the same process, but it’s hard to find books one can rely upon – and maybe that’s THE lesson even kids must learn as early as possible, that histories are always written with a certain point of view, even certain goals, and one must be aware of that. Just because Herodotus is an ancient author doesn’t mean that he did not have his own point to make.
The truth is that the word “textbook” or “school book” triggers a trustful attitude in us: we think that, since both geometry and history are part of school, we should approach the geometry book and the history book the same way, trusting that they will provide us with a straightforward picture of reality, of what is true. This is a natural impulse that must be resisted, even though it sounds vaguely wrong to make kids into little skeptics. The point, of course, is not to make them into little skeptics, but to make them aware that history, being made by people, is a tapestry of sometimes confusing and contradicting threads, and it can’t be told too neatly.
Facts of course are very important, dates, names, events – we must know those. What they mean and represent, though, that’s a completely different problem. We’ve become very simplistic these days: new equals good – if a historical figure smashes the establishment, it must be good; holding on to old ways is always bad. There is no time for subtlety, our history books have become a sort of Procustes’ s bed – people or events or phenomena that don’t fit the outlook are maimed beyond recognition.
Some books become cartoonish in their coarse treatment of history. Quote from “Medieval Europe – A Short History”, by CW Hollister, 7th edition: “Medieval Christianity echoed some of St. Paul’s antifeminism. Women could not be priests; they could hold no Church office except as an abbess or lesser official in a nunnery…” A couple of sentences, and how much they reveal!
There is the opposite problem, too, though – books written in reaction to the progressive outlook, intent on presenting too rosy a view of the things progressives despise, or books whose author sort of falls in love with its topic, and fails to see mistakes or objections (McCollough’s biography of Truman is a good example of such a book in my opinion. I admire McCollough a lot and own many of his books, but he does tend to fall in love…)
So it can be paralyzing to pick history books for one’s children. The great advantage homeschoolers have (besides the obvious freedom to choose books) is a better opportunity to provide context and correctives – though it’s not easy, as there are 24 hours in a day for us too. But even just a certain kind of family life has a lot of influence: it shapes a certain mindset, and one looks at everything differently. But if you’re homeschooled and want to take an AP history test, you’re on your own! Recent AP European History essay questions have featured the student movements of 1968 and the strategies of the early feminists – what shall we write?? What we really think, and get censured, or what these people want us to repeat like parrots? Good luck 🙂
Leila says
Yes, I found myself doing so much reading while homeschooling my high schoolers, to the point that I was failing to turn to making a curriculum!
I do want to reiterate that the timeline is so important… and primary sources too, to supplement these books that are so well written that they make their own world apart from the events. The high school student should know to read Bernal Diaz — just open the book and read, if you want to know what happened with the Aztecs.
And in the end, we will need to have our students study philosophy and have our upperclassmen read good essays by thoughtful critics of culture and ideas. Read historians from different eras, too. Debunking or mere skepticism is not the point, as you say; the goal is to try to see things as they are.
I certainly wish I were starting over now… I was not very good at any of this when I began, all those years ago!
Meredith says
Auntie Leila, thank you for this post! As a homeschooling mom to young children, I have felt very lost when trying to choose history curriculum. Based on your good advice, I avoided Story of the World which I find used almost exclusively amongst other Catholic homeschoolers I know. I thought I had found a better alternative in the Beautiful Feet curriculum, which is a literature based program. I was sorely disappointed when the books recommended on the explorers revealed strong bias: telling about those evil priests who “forced” the innocent and happy natives to accept the Catholic faith! I was enraged when I thought about the North American Martyrs such as Isaac Jouges and John de Brebeuf who did not force the natives to do anything but truly laid down their lives for the native peoples.
I am excited about some of the resources you mentioned in the post as well as some of the comments, but it all seems American History focused, especially for the younger grades. We have been stuck in American History for the past two years and the thought of continuing in it until middle school is a little depressing. Next year I will have a 3rd grader and 1st grader. Any recommendations for non-American history for those ages? It could be a textbook or just quality novels/read-alouds.
Thank you!
Dixie says
Meredith, my two cents is that I would not worry about a textbook with these ages. If the 3rd-grader is an advanced reader, yes, he/she could read one of the CHP textbooks, but I would say, pick a theme (European history, or Ancient History, or whatever) and get yourself a couple of Eyewitness Books/kids’ visual encyclopedias on the matter. Let the kids just peruse the encyclopedias (check them first — sometime there’s a page that needs to be cut out or a part blacked out or a note written — “talk to Mom about this”). (They will absorb many facts without you even trying; the harder study can come later.) And then center your read-alouds for the year on that theme.
History in elementary school should be about stories and concepts and sensory experiences, not study, exactly. In other words, exercising their historical imagination! When you go an a hike, ask them what would be the same or different if they were 19th-century 1st- and 3rd- graders going on that same walk in the woods. What clothes would they be wearing? What would they hear? Smell? What food would they be carrying? Why would they be walking in the woods? Have them write letters “home” to “Pa” from their journey.
If you’re studying modern Russia, find a recording online of the imperial march or whatever it was (i’ve forgotten the name) that was played every time the Tsar went somewhere. You can find recordings from 1915. Ask, what would it be like if you were Tsarevich Alexei and you heard this music anytime you arrived anywhere?
Bottom line being — timeline/visual encyclopedia, stories, imagination. This is what will give them the foundation to later (at the risk of repeating myself) think both critically and generously about history when they start reading serious works when they are older. Play is a huge part of learning about history.
There are so many great novels, including for areas other than American history. If you or anyone wants to e-mail me (dlane2530 at gmail) I can suggest some for certain time periods, but you can also find them via Google search.
Leila says
Meredith, I encourage you to read my post here: http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2014/09/history-in-the-young-childs-curriculum/
The young child really benefits from learning about his own environment and then gradually coming to know how big the world is, and that there IS such a thing as the past.
And I highly recommend those Twins books!
Marissa says
Edward Eggleston wrote great stories for that age. You could probably find them free online but I have ordered the used hardcovers I do find.
Melisa says
We really like the Ingri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire picture books for history (written in the 1940’s). They’ve written about Leif the Viking explorer, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, among others. Lots of rich text in story form, lots of pictures to engage the littler ones.
Another good author is Marguerite De Angeli. We’re studying the Middle Ages this year, and are about to read De Angeli’s The Door in the Wall. Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle is also a good title for this time period that is on our shelf.
Rosemary Sutcliff has some great retellings of the Iliad and the Odyssey. The stories can be a bit gruesome, but sure seem to hold the interest of my children.
I’ve finally learned that kids really like to do hands-on projects to coincide with our history study. We’ve baked soft pretzels, made our own illuminated letters, are planning to do some (imitation) stained glass. They’ve built paper and Lego models of famous historic landmarks (lots to be said for learning through play!)
This is a great topic!
Melisa
Shyla says
Wow, great post! I have been collecting the Landmark Series books for our own library. They are a treasure and very well loved by my children. Thanks for sharing these other titles and suggestions!
Marianne says
I cannot even explain to you how much inspiration I got from reading Hannah Fowler. I wouldn’t have survived 3 weeks of her (fictional, I realize) existence, but I am a better wife for having been kicked in the pants by this character. I have since read several other books by this author and it has revived my interest in fiction – I had about given up, after tossing so much in the garbage pile. I passed Hannah along to my wonderful new daughter in law and I recommend it constantly to other women. Thank you so much!
Leila says
Wow, Marianne, I’m so happy you loved the book as much as I do! Thanks for letting me know!
Lisa says
I just read Hannah Fowler based on your recommendation. Wow. You were right on about the kick in the pants. Thank you!
Margaret P says
My approach for 27 years of homeschooling my kids was to make sure my children understood that most of what they learned was the beginning. There’s always more to read, study or consider. It’s not about stuffing a head full of facts. Learning these subjects was training for how to think. It was really up to them as to how much or how little they wanted learning to shape them (especially as they got older). I would say to them decide what kind of person you want to be. (A person who reads the whole thing or the abridged version for example—-or how much do you want to know? Will you be happy only knowing this much? When you’re older do you want all you know about something to be what you read in 8th grade once?)
History is about people. Their stories give us a way to consider the past, present and future. That made it interesting to my kids. Math or science is really another way of communicating as is music. All are languages with a structure and specific words/methods for specific things much like learning English/grammar/spelling. Seeing a pattern to learning helped to pull it all together.
I no longer get rid of books. Who knows what might get “cancelled “. (It’s getting harder and harder to find old books in my area too).
tster says
agree Margaret P. There’s no one authoritative history book. But if you generally supply high quality-ish books, then kids will figure out how to fill in the picture themselves over time. (The books don’t have to be perfect, just not garbage devoid of any literary merit, and it helps to throw in varying genres, that all have some clear ideas about what virtue is and what human purpose should be.) Also, it’s easy enough to pause when reading and correct facts or question the odd statement that is anachronistic/wrong/objectionable.
At least, that was my experience, slogging through a dull and stultifying history curriculum in public schools. Nonfiction history textbooks may be a jumping off point but general nonfiction books, first-person narratives (like Diary of Anne Frank or memoirs or the journals of explorers, for instance), biographies, historical fiction (like Freedom Train), archaeology books, books of ancient mythology, even when some had questionable aspects, all helped me find history more interesting. I think that’s why I was able to see that historians bring a point of view and an argument about what events meant.
For fun, breezy page-turning true stories of the Cold War, for instance, I enjoy Ben MacIntyre’s spy books, like The Spy and the Traitor. Is this deep-rooted scholarship on the Great Terror a la Robert Conquest? No. But it paints a bleak and immersive picture of Cold War Russia and its utterly deadening worldview that is incredibly compelling.
Laura says
A Catholic, homeschooling family compiled a list of history books in the public domain that are available online. Their website is https://www.heritage-history.com/. We’ve printed out some of the books and put them in three ring binders. We’ve especially enjoyed books by Mary MacGregor, her histories have a nice, narrative style. There are many other good books on there, as well.
Shannon Crouch says
I had to read a little about this yesterday and then the rest tonight to finish absorbing it all. I saw your comment yesterday on that article from the Jesuit magazine- now I cant find it. Did it get deleted? Or maybe I imagined it was there.
Leila says
What article? Are you thinking of my post on Facebook?
MamaB says
I have to pop in here to recommend a FABULOUS resource for finding books, both old and new (but with a serious bent toward the old, of the “golden age of children’s literature” that you mention here, Leila). Reshelving Alexandria is a website catalogue of books, which includes books that the organizers deem to be living and excellent in every way. Content considerations, tags for topics, timeline, geography, general reading level, genre, etc are all included. As a homeschooler, I cannot recommend this site enough–it even helps you understand what are the best editions to purchase (as often books in the public domain are reprinted but very poorly). This is a subscription website, but you can see at least a portion of the information without (and there’s a free trial available to check it out). This is the only subscription I have, and it’s worth every penny.
https://reshelvingalexandria.com/
For example, all of the books you have pictures of here are listed there! The goal is to give you as much information as possible about these excellent books, so that you can decide which are going to the best best fit for your child/family.
Leila says
This site looks amazing.
Kelsey says
Do you (or any readers) happen to have a lead on where to get a beautiful book of centuries? I’d really like to invest in a pretty, hardback book to fill in, but don’t know where to look.
Renee says
https://www.riverbendpress.com/shop-notebooks/book-of-centuries
They have many beautiful things!
Mrs. Bee says
Now I want to splurge…
Kelsey says
I figure my “splurge” on a nice one might encourage my child to make it more beautiful, detailed, and cherished.
Leila says
Kelsey, a friend recommends this one (scroll down): https://www.bookofcenturies.com/shop.html
This lady set up her shop just to cater to Charlotte Mason notebookers!
Mrs. Bee says
These look so well made, but the use of BCE and CE is a disappointment to me.
Leila says
Oh, I hadn’t noticed that, hmmm
Adele says
Archaeology can also be a fantastic way to learn about history and the Time Team series, which you can find on youtube is very well done. Having worked on digs it’s very true to life.
Mrs. Jackson says
I’d like to recommend CREDO Books and Vision Books as good catholic supplements (both published in the 1950’s/60’s similar to the Landmark Books. I was wondering if everyone uses the Catholic Encyclopedia on New Advent … I have been referencing it quite often and wish I could get it in hard copy (the 1911 version which doesn’t do the PC thing). I also wanted to recommend “Little Lives of the Great Saints” by John O’Kane Murray and “A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture” by Bishop Frederick Justus Knecht for anyone that’s new to the faith or looking for a spine for faith formation and biographies (I am a new Catholic with no access to a good catechism program and I am learning so much from both books).
My internet has been having issues so if this is a repeat I’m sorry. Thank you for everyone’s recommendations and Mrs Leila for such a wonderful article. Pax tecum.
Marissa says
I’m a fellow convert and I love the online New Advent encyclopedia; I think there is always a tab up on my phone or computer. They also have tons of other files too, like the entire Summa, works of the Fathers, and church documents. It’s an amazing resource. The entire set is available for $1,400 (LOL) here https://www.biblio.com/book/catholic-encyclopedia-15-volumes-index-supplement/d/1374647617
You’ll only find it used. I use Bookfinder to find old books but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford those. I have been collecting Vision books (also using Bookfinder!) but I will check out the CREDO ones, I haven’t heard of those. Here’s a helpful list of all the Vision books that were published: https://www.raceforheaven.com/page/vision-series-books
They were published in lovely hardcovers with dust jackets in the 1950s if you can find those. I know they are inexpensive softcovers today, which is nice, I always prefer a hard copy.
My priest used “This is the Faith” by Canon Francis Ripley. I found it to be a very good book!
Mrs. Jackson says
Thank you for the info! I won’t be affording that any time soon either. Good grief! I want to USE them not collect them LOL. New Advent is amazing. I’m the same. Always have it open on at least one device.
I usually use thrift books because I can build wishlist’s and get notifications. I’ll check out bookfinder. I just found Race for Heaven, I’ve been collecting the hard cover ones when they are under $10 on ThriftBooks. Some probably never will be…
I will check out “This is the Faith” thank you.
Kelsey says
I was disappointed to see that Ambleside changed one of their year 6 history suggestions to Story of the World. I’ll stick to what was there before.
Heather says
Late to this conversation, but can anyone tell me what AO used in place of Story of the World for year 6? Thank you!
Kelsey says
I’m not positive… I searched for it months ago and I’m pretty sure I figured it out and saved the book to my Amazon list. If that’s correct then there was a book called, “What Everyone Should Know About the 20th Century”. I’m not sure if there was anything else.
Heather says
Thanks, Kelsey! I will try poke around the AO forums and see what I can find. Definitely don’t want to use Story of the World…