Living Books with Science and Geography

Charlotte Mason advocated using living books in all of our studies. I love the idea and agree that our children should always read excellent books filled with creativity, challenging vocabulary, and firsthand accounts that will spark their imagination. So when it came time to introduce a new subject (geography) to my children this year, I started looking for a good living book to add into our curriculum. I discovered an entire series that can be added into geography and science by Holling. Most people have heard of Paddle to the Sea, but did you know that there are many great books by this same author? Each of these living books offer insight to life in a particular geographic area through the eyes of an animal or plant. The reader also learns the life cycle, history, and habits of each main character, which is weaved throughout the story.

We have the opportunity to go to the ocean this autumn for a week. This will only be the second time that my youngest three have ever seen the ocean and they were all under 4 the first time. So, we will be studying oceans, seashores, tide pools, sea life and shore life for two months before we go to the ocean. The Holling book, Pagoo, is a perfect living book to add to our studies. This book follows the life of a hermit crab as he travels along the seashore meeting many other sea creatures. Each page of this book is filled with little tidbits of information that will most likely spark the interests of my children and lead them on a quest to know more. I love it when a book makes my job easy, hehehe.... The pictures in the book are illustrated in a nature journal style, which will be a wonderful example for the kids when they are working on their own nature journals. 

Here is a list of five of Holling's books:

Paddle to the Sea - This book follows the journey of a canoe from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean.

Pagoo - A study of tide pool life is introduced through the travels and life of a hermit crab.

Tree in the Trail - A cottonwood tree watches history in the making on the Santa Fe Trail.

Minn of the Mississippi - This story follows the journey of a turtle from the source of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.

Seabird - A carved ivory gull is the mascot of four generations of seafarers: a whaler,  a clipper ship, a steamer and an airplane.



Blessings, Dawn