Category: Reviews

Trim, Healthy Mama

I’ll admit it. I was a little skeptical about the new book called Trim, Healthy Mama. I’ve been interested in health and nutrition for nearly as long as I’ve been homeschooling so I’ve seen and tried just about everything. Being the curious creature that I am I had to stalk the book. The more I read the more intrigued I was. I ordered it. And then it arrived! And let me tell you, it is not small book. 640 pages big! TRIM, HEALTHY MAMA — No More Fads! A Common Sense Guide To Satisfy Your Cravings And Energize Your Life is written by sisters, Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett. Both women are wives and mothers of large families. Continue reading

Read More

Crunch Time by Michelle Bridges

Regular readers will know that I like the Body for Life program by Bill Phillips, as well as Burn the Fat by Tom Venuto. I think they’re great ways for homeschool mums to get fit, healthy and strong…in a minimum of time. As busy homeschool mums and wives, how can we afford countless hours at the gym each week? I also love to read inspiration books and magazines of those who do live a healthy and fit lifestyle. So, as soon as I saw Crunch Time by Personal Trainer, Michelle Bridges, on the store shelf I grabbed it! Softcover, 204 pages and it is divided into 4 sections. Part One is titled Get Real! It’s all about why we do what we do…looking at the excuses we make, the habits we have allowed to form and how we change those beliefs and attitudes by developing a plan. Michelle wants us to know that we can in fact lose weight fast and keep it off. She says, “show me someone who has put the weight back on because they lost it too quickly and I’ll show you five people who put the weight back on because they lost it too slowly!” p3 Section Two, titled Get Moving! is where Michelle is photographed doing all the weight loss exercises. Yet for some reason, seeing this thin, well toned woman exercising doesn’t...

Read More

Amazing Grace

YOU KNOW THE SONG. NOW BE PART OF THE STORY. ONE MAN LED A MOVEMENT THAT CHANGED THE WORLD AVAILABLE ON DVD RATED PG (MILD THEMES)   Here are some extracts from the Official Website “You may chose to look the other way but you can never say you did not know.” William Wilberforce 1789   These producers are passionate about this story “Amazing Grace is based on the true story of William Wilberforce, a British statesman and reformer from the early part of the 19th century. This feature film chronicles his            extraordinary contributions to the world, primarily his 20-year fight to abolish the                    British slave trade, which he won in 1807. Wilberforce was also instrumental in passing              legislation to abolish slavery in the British colonies, a victory he won just three days                   before his death in 1833………..Wilberforce’s story as an inspiration and an  exhortation. It examines the supremely human virtue of conscience put into practice on others’ behalf”   MY REVIEW This Movie will leave you JUMPING with joy, applauding with the Parliament in the last scene, crying with the  abolitionists who saw victory after 20 LONG years of fighting the system. Then the Pipes….Ohhhhh I have watched this movie over and over especially when I need the gumption to fight for what is right…..the price paid for doing God’s will and what is right for mankind. ...

Read More

Australia…The Wide, Brown Land For Me

  Are you still looking for an Australian History curriculum for your studies? Well, Linda Maher has put together a gem of a resource! Written by an Aussie home-schooling mother for other home-schooers…Linda knows what is needed an a program, and she delivers.   Australia…The Wide, Brown Land For Me is a program that includes text, suggested activities both bookwork and hands-on, map-work, recipes and more! The text covers over 400 years of history from the earliest known times through discovery and white settlement, Federation, to the present time. There are 38 lessons which can be used in any way you need. Some families might like to do 2-4 lessons a week whereas others might prefer to go through slower, while adding in some good living books or historical fiction. Photocopying for use within the family or home-school is allowed for those with more than one child, so you only need to buy the one copy! (You might like to buy an extra Student Page booklet) You won’t need an excessive amount of extra supplies; only things like a project book, pens and glue along with your Internet connection, atlas and some reference books – everyday things which most home-schooling families within the home. You can purchase a separate Student Page booklet (of which the same pages are in the text but having them available in a separate book...

Read More

Drawn Into the Heart of Reading

PROGRAM STRUCTURE   DIHOR is arranged into nine literary genre units. Distinctives for each genre are specifically taught. You can use this as your entire reading program or as a supplement to an existing program. The nine units can be done in any order, and can easily fit into your other studies. Some families use the Non Fiction genre repeatedly to develop research skills and give structure to whatever topic the child takes an interest in. The exercises can be used to add a literature component into your history (or other) read alouds (yes, this program is flexible enough for you to do the reading aloud and have all the children do their respective exercises for the same book). Each unit has 20 days of instruction, which is all laid out for you in the Teachers Guide. The format runs like this: 20 days of instruction, with the reading done on a daily basis. 15 Days of leveled lessons. To culminate, 5 days to work on a choice of three major projects. You will need one Teacher’s Guide and a Student Book for the level/s you will use. UNIT OVERVIEW Story elements are taught in each genre (Character, Setting, Problem/Conflict, Cause & Effect, etc). Each unit emphasizes one story element,and one major Godly character trait, with 3 sub qualities. Character traits are defined and taught using examples from the...

Read More

Young Digger, Anthony Hill

A World War 1 story with a difference, this is a true story of a small French boy who’s parents were both killed in the first week of the war. Recounting his journey wandering through Europe cared for by various military groups, he settles with the Australian 4th Flying Squadron, who adopt him as a mascot.During this time a mechanic in the squadron determines to take the boy back home to Jandowae, Queensland, and raise him as his own. The book chronicles the amazing experiences of the boy during the war; being presented to the queen of Romania, being injured in the front lines when nearly the entire company he was with were killed, the lengths the squadron went to, to smuggle the boy back into Australia, and his life when he reached Australia. As the man appointed his guardian was a God fearing, conservative man, the author has not recounted some of the bawdier incidents that would normally accompany an account of soldiers activities while on leave. He has also avoided the use of graphic or shock value writing with regards some of the atrocities of war. The book contains copies of photographs taken by soldiers and family and copies of postcards sent home from the war. Apart from one photograph depicting a field of dead Russian soldiers who had been gassed (awful ) there is nothing in...

Read More

Miracle on the River Kwai, Ernest Gorden

Some atrocities perpetrated against man are more than I can bear the knowledge of. I like reading true accounts of war, but some of them I have regretted reading. This book is not one of them. Written in the first person narrative by a Scotsman who survived being a POW for several years, it begins at the fall of Singapore and his escape attempt and subsequent capture by the Japanese. It then describes the difficulties endured while working on the Thai-Burma railroad, and ends with the allied victory and the efforts of soldiers to re-assimilate into society at the end of the war. During these events, the author comes to a saving knowledge of God. He watches the degradation of the men and the decline in humanity under the rule of the Japanese. However, as Christianity spreads throughout the camp, the remarkable turnaround in the behaviour of the men and their ability to face death without fear is truly inspiring. There are passages that would still stop me from giving it to younger children, however there is not the usual language or excessive detail that turns your regular war account into a horror fest. Several men do sacrifice their lives for their friends, but it has the effect of being heroic and inspiring, rather than concentrating on the gory details. This book is both a remarkable account of one...

Read More

A Bush Calendar by Amy Mack

I love this book. It makes me want to get out into the bush and find some of nature’s secrets. A Bush Calendar is Amy Mack’s nature diary recorded over twelve months. Her style is inspirational. It is an exquisite literary account of the Australian bush 100 years ago. Her particular interest is the birds and flowers that she finds. Her enthusiasm is infectious. You can find this book second hand online or from Downunder Literature as an ebook. Excerpt from A Bush Calendar ‘There are some days that make you laugh; days when little white clouds chase each other across a smiling sky, when little breezes play round the tree-tops and tickle the leaves into laughter; when wavelets skip and dance in the harbour, and birds gush and gurgle in the bush; when the whole world laughs with joy and you must laugh with it.’  ...

Read More

Nature Talks to New Zealanders

Nature Talks to New Zealanders was recommended to me from some New Zealand homeschoolers who thought it was an absolute gem. I agree! I purchased it and read it to my kids and we were delighted. I thought we have to see this one republished. So here it is! Philip Crosbie Morrison was a respected Australian naturalist who was able to communicate his passion for nature to others. This book tells about his visit to New Zealand in the 1950’s. He often uses Australian examples for contrast in his explanations of his New Zealand observations. His stories are humorous and knowledgeable. This inspiring nature study book is for the Australians and New Zealanders. He does mention evolutionary theory as fact in some of his chapters. These can be edited out, as desired but the excellent strength of this book is the charming nature stories. The book also comes with 25 black and white illustrations for you to use with your nature journaling. Available through Downunder Literaure as an ebook. You can also find it second hand. An exerpt from the book “It is almost traditional in some of the alpine resorts in the South Island that if you change your footwear after mountain climbing or ice-hopping, and leave your boots in the open, the keas will come down and examine them and chew them to pieces. If you have...

Read More

The Wonderland of Nature and Journal

The Wonderland of Nature was first published in 1964. Since then it has been a highly recommended, award winning, Australian nature study book for children. This book has been reprinted and updated due to popular demand. Join Chris and Tess as they explore the great outdoors with their mother . Hear about their bug collections and nature walks. Examine the interesting black and white illustrations (over 200). Be inspired to look in your own backyard. This book can be read for sheer delight or used as the basis for primary school science – especially when combined with The Wonderland of Nature Journal. The Wonderland of Nature Journal CD is a delightful companion to The Wonderland of Nature. Using this resource will help you teach your children all about Nature journaling in a artistic, fun and hands on way. THIS RESOURCE IS GREAT FOR TEACHING MULTIPLE AGES Using this resource will help you break down The Wonderland of Nature into an Australian ‘Science and Technology’ curriculum for students aged 5-12. Available through Downunder Literature, Kingsley Education and Home school Favourites....

Read More

Our Sunburnt Country by Arthur Baillie

I first became aware of Our Sunburnt Country about six years ago when I was looking for an Australian history book to read aloud with my two oldest children, then aged 6 and 8. One of my friends recommended it and handed me her copy. She said it was very popular amongst homeschoolers as an excellent narrative style account of our history. So the kids and I sat on the couch and learned together our Australian history. The children loved the exciting stories and enjoyed the illustrations. My goal was to read one chapter per sitting but often I was begged for another chapter or two. I didn’t mind at all; it was a good read, and I was sounding quite knowledgeable at dinner parties. When I was asked by others parents what I would recommend for teaching Australian history, I would unequivocally recommend Our Sunburnt Country, with the additional apology that it was out of print and they would have to hunt around and find one secondhand. I was so excited when Arthur Baillie agreed to allow us to republish Our Sunburnt Country. I was even more excited when I read through his updated and revised version. Arthur is still passionate about Australian history and has been able to thoughtfully update his original version with added information that was not publicly known and new historic events that have occurred...

Read More
  • 1
  • 2