Yoohoo, Charlotte Mason users...question

[puffballpopple]

I'm ordering some books and wanted your opinions on these Charlotte Mason books. Which of them do you think are must-buys (and don't say all of them LOL).

Charlotte Mason Companion
Pocketful of Pinecones
When Children Love to Learn
A Charlotte Mason Primer


My library has Whole-Hearted Child so I've decided not to buy it for now.

Thanks
Amanda

[Singingmom]

I've only read the first one, and for me it's a must read. I would go so far as to say it changed my life. And it's beautifully written and illustrated, making it an enjoyable read.

I'd like to read the second, but you could put it off for now since it's more of an elaboration and extension of some of the principles she lays out in the first book.

That's all I know! :)

[erinee]

The Charlotte Mason Companion is my must-read. :tu Pocketful of Pinecones is nice, but not necessary. I haven't read the other two.

[Leslie]

I haven't read most of those, and the one I did read was too long ago to remember much about.

I do have one additional suggestion, though. You can find easy-to-read summaries of all six of Charlotte Mason's books, as well as a paraphrase of her 20 Principles and what is (and isn't) a CM education, all here (http://www.amblesideonline.org/CM/CMSummaries.html), and all free. ;)

[Sara]

I haven't read the second two, but the first two are great. Pocketful of Pinecones was so inspirational to me in starting nature studies with my dd. I actually read the book to her, at her request, and she loved it as well. She was 6 at the time.

[DogwoodMama]

I second AO as a great resource (thanks, Leslie!). However, since I have *sooo* much time on my hands ;) I just put in a request for the Companion book and Pocketful of Pinecones through ILL. :)

[Leslie]

I second AO as a great resource (thanks, Leslie!)


The resources there aren't just for AO. The Series (http://www.amblesideonline.org/CM/toc.html), summaries (http://www.amblesideonline.org/CM/CMSummaries.html), FAQs (http://www.amblesideonline.org/FAQ.shtml), Parents Reviews (http://www.amblesideonline.org/PR.shtml), articles (http://www.amblesideonline.org/articles.shtml), basic desriptions (http://www.amblesideonline.org/WhatIsCM.shtml) and other resources (http://www.amblesideonline.org/index2.shtml) can be used by any CM homeschooler, whether they plan to use AO, or plan to learn enough about CM to throw together their own materials, or just want to know some guidelines to tweak what they already have to fit a CM education.

The summaries (http://www.amblesideonline.org/CM/CMSummaries.html) are nice because they're not any person's interpretation of how to apply CM, they're condensed synopses of every page and every chapter of Charlotte Mason's own books, so it presents a complete and more thorough picture of CM that isn't always evident in books about the CM method.

[motherbhaer]

Hi. I have to say that I love Karen Andreola's book the Companion. I'm in a discussion group now that is going through When Children Love to Learn. I have to admit that if I wasn't in the discussion group, I probably wouldn't finish it. It is very much geared toward schools. The writers are actually telling you how they apply the CM approach to their school. I haven't enjoyed it as much as others I have read.

If you don't already have Educating the Whole-Hearted Child by the Clarksons, I would spend money on that one. It is very "Charlotte Masony" and I absolutely love it.

Terri (wife to Kent)
mother to Houston 11yob and Abby 7 yog

[TulipMama]

I love Karen Andreola's book


Ahhhh, I find this book to be full of mommy-inspiration. And a good help in getting into a gentle discipline mindset, as well.

[Aerynne]

I also love Karen Andreola's book. I haven't read the others.

[Punkie]

Ooh, I've been blogging about the Companion book. There's a link in my sig line to my blog if you wanted to read any of them :)

[AngelBee]

:popcorn