For the Children’s Hour

Here is a book I purchased specifically for Diva and her upcoming CM school year: For the Children’s Hour.

I first saw this book on amazon.com, but I hesitated in buying it initially as I wasn’t sure I really needed it, or that it would be just what I was looking for. However, I did want a book that would provide me with plenty of short stories, using rich language and literary styling, and something I would not have to turn back in to the library every few weeks. I realize that Diva is Year 0, but I still want to expose her to the language and pacing of these books now, with stories that her five-year-old mind can grasp. Year 1 is the first truly “formal” year in CM philosophy and meant to be started no sooner than age 6, but I still have to meet certain requirements for my state which has a compulsory attendance age of 5.

Anyway, I did eventually order the book and I am glad that I did. It is organized in a very teacherish sort of way, by seasons, holidays etc, which means it will be easy for me to plan appropriate readings all throughout the school year. When I am looking for readings in the fall, I can just flip to that section and choose the appropriate number of selections. When I want Christmas stories, or Easter stories, or winter stories, it’s all organized for me. And, the stories are lovely, and not at all twaddly or dumbed down. You can also find this book for free on The Baldwin Project, I am just not fond of reading from the computer, or having to print all the time. My ink is expensive!

I think this book is a perfect edition to a library for young students. I am looking forward to using with with Diva this year, and Monkey in the coming years. I am sure Super-boy will even get some use out of it. It has a lovely name too, which conjures up images of sitting snuggled with my babies on a cold, blustery day and enjoying a good story.