Homeschoolbuzz.com Reviews

Mrs. Claus Explains it All

2008-11-14T18:29:44-05:00

Mrs. Claus Explains it All

by Elsbeth Claus (Christi Love)
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Reviewed by Kathy Davis

In case you were wondering what happens to all those letters that kids mail every Christmas addressed to Santa: North Pole, Mrs. Claus as second in command sorts and helps Santa answer them. And now she's published, "Mrs. Claus Explains it All", using this bright and lively large hard-cover picture book to answer some of the most common questions they receive every year. I for one have always wondered (yes, I'm still a kid at heart) how Santa's village is so well hidden, and what is Santa's favorite cookie? And how does St. Nick manage to deliver all those toys around the world in one night? I'll give you a sneak peek at what she says:

Between the hyper speeds the reindeer are capable of and the fact that Santa follows the path of the sun through the various time zones (plus a whole lot of magic), he always manages to empty his sleigh by sun up on Christmas Day. Everything is planned and rehearsed down to the tiniest detail – I see to that.

There are lots more questions such as how did the reindeer get their names, can all reindeer fly, how does Santa know where I live, what are Santa's workshops like, and where do Elves come from. Your kids will be fascinated by all the answers. This is a real cute book, and the illustrations by David T. Wenzel are lovely. Mrs. Claus Explains it All is a great book to cuddle up on the couch with some cocoa in hand and your child who still believes in the magic of Santa.

Compare prices for Mrs. Claus Explains it All at Homeschoolbuzz.com

Humpty Dumpty Jr: Hardboiled Detective (The Case of the Fiendish Flapjack Flop)

2008-11-14T18:16:04-05:00

Humpty Dumpty Jr: Hardboiled Detective (The Case of the Fiendish Flapjack Flop)

by Nate Evans, Paul Hindman, and Vince Evans
Reading Level: ages 9-12
Reviewed by Kathy Davis

In this egg-citing new series Humpty Dumpty Jr. is a wise cracking trench coat sporting detective. He's the egg to call when you need help cause he always "cracks" the case. His office walls in New Yolk City are framed with notes of thanks and awards for his previously solved cases. We got the three little pigs thanking him for saving their bacon, and a Royal Proclamation from Dorothy granting him Emerald Knight of Oz status. Uh-oh, for you fans of Captain Underpants, there's also a trophy from King Flatulence for Humpty's solving the "who smelt it and who delt it" dilemma. In this book, Humpty gets a call from Pat-A-Cake Bakery. But before he could say hello to his good friend patty, the line goes dead. When he gets to the bakery he finds it trashed and the phone pulled out of the wall. His only clue to this mystery is a Jack-of hearts card left behind. With the help of a street kid named Rat, Humpty is on the case.

This book is a riot! My boys (13 and 11) loved the humor and enjoyed the break from their "serious" reading. The idea for the story is novel, and the potty-humor is way less than you'll find in a Captain Underpants. If you have boys that like light, humorous reads, or have a reluctant reader, you may want to try Humpty. There's lots of comic action and illustrations to match.

The fun doesn't end here, in Book two, The Mystery of Merlin and the Gruesome Ghost, Humpty is heads to the Merlin Institute for the Knowledge of Everything to investigate a magic eating ghost. Rat ends up enrolling in the school because Merlin thinks he may be the next King Arthur. Will Humpty get the ghost or will he end up a scrambled egg? If you need more information on the fun and readability of these books, check out the video footage below.

Book 1 promo video

Book 2 promo video

Compare prices for Humpty Dumpty Jr: Hardboiled Detective (The Case of the Fiendish Flapjack Flop) at Homeschoolbuzz.com

Rime to Read (website) http://www.rimetoread.com/

2008-11-14T17:39:29-05:00

Rime to Read (website) http://www.rimetoread.com/

Reading Level: Ages 4 and up
Reviewed by Kathy Davis

Rime to Read is a virtual reading program for beginner readings. It consists of 20 books that use "rime" (words that rhyme and look alike, such as sit, hit, lit). Only single syllable short vowels are introduced, along with 46 popular sight words. The books can be read on-line, or printed out, or both. It is a very convenient method for those who have young learners that are just starting on their reading pathways.

There are many different ways to teach reading, I have found that using a combination of methods worked well with my boys. I used How to teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons and "rime" books such as this website offers. You need books that reinforce words, and books that aren't too hard for the child so he develops the confidence needed to build his reading skills, which Rime to Read does. Why rimes and not phonics? According to the authors of the material, it is because rimes are easier for children to hear and discriminate.

The rimes in book one are pat/cat/rat/bat/sat used with sight words and/a/the. Each book teaches between 4 and 7 new rime words. They also offer a click the rime word and it is sounded – a nice bonus for the children who get stuck on a word. The books are quaint – they tell cute stories and have gentle illustrations. The rimes are color-coded, with the new rimes and review rimes being in different shades of colors, the colors serving as a visual cue for the child. The words that are taught are also reinforced throughout the series.

Each child will go through this program at an individualized pace, and Rime to Read recommends mastery of a book before moving on to the next, but they also recommend waiting at least a day before introducing a new book, and no longer than a week.

I would have loved to have tried this out on my youngest, but I'm happy to say he is no longer a beginner reader! He did like looking at the books though, and as I suspected thought it was too easy for him. So, those of you who do have beginners, you can head over to their site and try the first book for free. If you choose to purchase, 4 books are $9.99 while the whole set of twenty is $44.99. Purchasing gives you the option to print out the books as well.

Visit the Rime to Read website.

The Unexpected When You’re Expecting (A Parody)

2008-11-14T17:17:29-05:00

The Unexpected When You’re Expecting (A Parody)

by Mary K. Moore
Reading Level: Adult
Reviewed by Cynthia Clarke

When I was making my way through my own pregnancies, I was never far from the essential “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” manual to guide me from stage to stage. So when I was presented with an opportunity to review this parody I thought it might be fun.

When the book arrived I discovered that the author, Mary Moore, has a long list of credentials to her name; she was an editor and writer for such publications as Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Glamour and Marie Claire and has made appearances on Access Hollywood, Inside Edition and Good Day New York. Rather than impressing me though, these credentials cause a little red flag to begin waving, and with good reason.

I am a Christian and so I am giving a God -Centered review of this book. As such I must be honest and say that very little of this book appealed to me. The drug and sex references were astonishing. The crude and unnecessary remarks concerning traditional mothering were insulting. Examples of such things:

The author suggests that when you are pregnant you will not be able to snort cocaine anymore but will have to satisfy your urge by snorting pixie sticks.

In the section designed to help you find ways to break the news of a new baby to the first child she suggests this opening line “Honey, do you remember the cute pool boy who worked here this summer?”

When speaking of grandparents as caregivers for the baby, she describes their skills as “ a wondrous mix of dementia and witchcraft” which the grandfather would probably admit to himself “if he wasn’t busy defecating in the neighbors yard”

If ever a book confirmed to me that I am “in this world not of it” it was this one. My reverence for traditional motherhood, sexual purity in marriage and the bond of family was insulted on every page. If you are looking for a book to give an expecting friend, I’d give this one a pass.

Compare prices for The Unexpected When You’re Expecting (A Parody) at Homeschoolbuzz.com

Molly's Pilgrim

2008-11-07T19:01:14-05:00

Molly's Pilgrim

by Barbara Cohen
Reading Level: Ages 6 - 9
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker

Molly, a Jewish girl, and her family have moved to America from Russia. Her mother says that the reason was to escape religious persecution and find freedom. First they lived in a tenement house in New York and Papa worked in a factory. Then they came to Winter Hill where Papa works in Mr. Brodsky's store and they live in the apartment above. However, the children in Molly's third-grade class make fun of her accent and clothes. Molly even thinks about going back to Russia. At Thanksgiving the teacher says that everyone is supposed to bring a Pilgrim doll to class. The doll that Molly's mother makes looks like a Russian peasant girl, not at all like the Pilgrims Molly has seen in her schoolbook. Molly is embarrassed and afraid that she will never fit in with her classmates now. What will she do?

This is a lovely story that reminds children, and the rest of us too, that all Americans are in a sense "pilgrims." In spite of our different backgrounds, there is one thing that we share in common, and that is the freedom, which this great nation affords us. Therefore, we should respect one another. Of course, at Thanksgiving time we must never forget the great foundation laid for our country's liberty by "The Pilgrims" who landed in 1620. However, we should also be aware of the contributions made by those who have come to this land seeking refuge in the years since then. Molly's Pilgrim is a wonderful addition to the literature about Thanksgiving for beginning readers. The author, Barbara Cohen (1932-1992), also wrote several other acclaimed picture books and novels for young readers.

Compare prices for Molly's Pilgrim at Homeschoolbuzz.com

Men of Iron

2008-11-07T18:58:24-05:00

Men of Iron

by Howard Pyle
Reading Level: Young Adult
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker

Set in early fifteenth century England, just after the victory of the Lancaster King Henry IV over his Plantagenet predecessor Richard II, this is a juvenile coming of age story in which the author has the reader experience the medieval entry into knighthood through the eyes of a young squire, Myles Falworth, who was only eight years old the day a knight in black rode into the courtyard of his father’s castle with murderous intent. The knight, who Myles later learns becomes the Earl of Alban, kills Sir John Dale, a friend of his father's who had fled to the Falworth castle for refuge after the struggle between the two kings, and triggers a chain of events that brings disgrace to the house of Falworth as his father is accused of treason agains the king.

At age sixteen young Myles, in spite of his family’s disgrace, quickly wins a reputation for courage and independence while in training as a knight at the castle of his relative, the great Earl of Mackworth. It is during his three years of training that one day Myles discovers that his blind father has been condemned for treason and is being hunted by a powerful enemy who is close to the King. During a visit by the King and his French ally the Comte de Vermoise, Mackworth arranges for Myles, whose identity is unknown to Henry, to joust with the Sieur de la Montagne, a great French knight who is accompanying the Count. Myles wins and is knighted by the King. In Chapter 24 the knighthood ceremony is presented and described as it would be in a non-fiction work on knighthood and chivalry.

After six months of fighting for the Count in France, Myles returns to England and ultimately faces the Earl of Alban to avenge his unjustly accused father and restore his family's rights. Those who like to read about medieval times should really enjoy this book. It is reminiscent of G. A. Henty's works. Myles, though having to learn to control his impulsiveness and other foibles, is a model of loyalty, honesty, and uprightness. There is no really bad language, just a few instances of swearing by the saints or "My Lady." A couple of references to drinking wine or ale are found. And there is mention of various religious practices, such as making the sign of the cross and counting beads, which were common when the Roman Catholic Church was the nearly universal religion of Europe. However, this book incorporates fascinating historical information about life in a medieval castle, knighthood, and chivalry into a fast-moving and entertaining story.

Compare prices for Men of Iron at Homeschoolbuzz.com

Spears Art Studio: A Teacher's Manual Grades K-8 (CD ROM in PDF) http://www.spearsartstudio.com/

2008-11-07T18:48:28-05:00

Spears Art Studio: A Teacher's Manual Grades K-8 (CD ROM in PDF) http://www.spearsartstudio.com/

by Diane S. Spears
Reading Level: K-8
Reviewed by Kathy Davis

I'm embarrassed to admit I don't have an art curriculum. Art around my house happens sporadically, whenever we "get around to it". That might happen every other week as drawing sessions with daddy or making collages or sculpting with play dough. We did Gee-guides last year, but mostly watched the videos and rarely did the hands on art. As weeks go on like this I'd start to feel guilty and run to the library, and get some mediocre craft book. Again, we'd do one or two of the activities and then ditch the book. It's not that we don't want to teach art, the problem is we've not found a curriculum we though was worthy of our investment. So, when the chance to review Spears Art Studio K-8 Art curriculum I jumped at the chance. Would this be the holy grail of art instruction we were looking for?

To start, I was pleased to find that Spears Art is presented from a Biblical worldview, with an emphasis on inspiration from God to create delightful works of art. The author clearly states she could not have created this CD/PDF curriculum had it not been the Lord who had guided her. She also ties in scripture to each of the weekly themes. I believe God is the finest example of an artist one can find, and it is important to me that my children learn that as they do art.

The next thing that encouraged me was I could use this curriculum without having to buy costly art materials, and she does such an excellent job explaining what art is and how to use the different mediums, this is perfect for the average non-art background classroom teacher or homeschooling family. Most of the lessons can be completed with what is found around the house – construction paper, markers, sharpies, oil pastels, beans, and glue.

The lessons are arranged by month with holidays/seasons tied in, and can be chosen according to your child's grade (K-8) - suggestions on how to tailor themes to each grade are provided, so you could teach to multi-level grades. She does have art projects listed for each grade. For me, I can see however how it may be hard to pick a separate project for each grade; I had all my boys doing the same lesson, and allowed them to complete it within their individualized ability. For example, I chose Oct. week#1 for our first lesson entitled "Pointillism Fruit" which was an extra lesson for grades 3-8. It was well received from my boys (grades 2/6/8). We also looked at Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon" and discussed the technique of pointillism. That method worked fine for us, as that's the way I tend to do things in our homeschool – except for Math and English, I often teach most of the other subjects to the higher grades and the youngers follow along at their pace. We also tried an individual project for each child, we pulled it off, but it just required a little more effort to print out each lesson and direct each child a little differently.

Because this is on a CD, you will have to either read on the screen or print out what you need. Some people may prefer to have an actual book in their hands, but a plus for PDF format is it saves bookshelf space.

Overall this is a very comprehensive, professional package, and I am glad it came along when it did. We will be using it over the course of the year, and I'm sure for years to come as there's such a nice variety of projects to choose from. I think I just may have found my Holy Grail.

Spears Art Studio site

The Missing Link: Found – Book One: The Truth Seekers Mystery Series

2008-11-07T18:17:35-05:00

The Missing Link: Found – Book One: The Truth Seekers Mystery Series

by Christina and Felice Gerwitz
Reading Level: Ages 9 - 12
Reviewed by Kathy Davis

Not many homeschool kids can add to their resume "published a mystery novel", but this young author can. Christina Gerwitz was just 14 when she started the Missing Link with her mother. The story is ablaze with action from the get go when a free fishing trip for the Murphy family ends up an unexpected adventure -a team of helicopter hit squad FBI agents hijack their boat (case of mistaken identity). No sooner do they recover when Dr. Murphy and his kids set off an archaeological dig, which leads them smack into a startling discovery that their cousin David believes to be the Missing Link. The Murphy kids (who happen to be homeschooled) get to put their creation knowledge to the test.

Here's an excerpt:

He thinks he's found the missing link…Dr. Murphy pondered, deep in thought. No wonder he brought in a paleoanthropologist. "Dad, tell him it can't be true! Every supposed missing link that has been discovered in the past has been shown to be false, Neaderthal Man, Piltdown Man, Ramapithecus, and Australopithecus, also known as 'Lucy' to name a few."

"All are valid. What are you talking about? David asked, "They're in my science book. What about yours?"

Being a first novel, the mother-daughter team does a good job keeping your interest in the story. Knowing my own attempts at novel writing, this is no easy task! I love the fact that a teen was encouraged and guided to complete such a huge undertaking. And, I respect that the authors blended their Christian beliefs into the story. The Murphy family serves as Christian role models, who often pray when faced with a difficult situation. There is nothing offensive in the book, which is a rarity in children's books these days. You can feel comfortable giving this book to your pre-teen and know he'll be enjoying an action packed, educational story.

This story is a great way for your kids to do their own digging. What about evolution vs. creationism? How do you defend what you believe? And how do you handle when someone has a different belief than your own? Good questions to ponder.

Note: This book was published by Media-Angels, a publishing company dedicated to providing quality materials for parents and children. Along with two more books in the Truth Seekers Mystery series, they publish study guides on Creation Science.

Sequels: Dinosaur Quest at Diamond Peak and Keys to the Past: Unlocked

Compare prices for The Missing Link: Found – Book One: The Truth Seekers Mystery Series at Homeschoolbuzz.com

Wayward: A Story from Silver Falls

2008-10-31T17:26:14-05:00

Wayward: A Story from Silver Falls

by Casey Head
Reading Level: Ages 10 - 15
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker

In this insightful allegory for young people that somewhat parallels the Biblical story of the prodigal son, Flynn Sorrel is a 14-year-old rabbit who lives with his father, Darben, and younger siblings, brothers Rufus, Gideon, and Jack, and sisters Jasmine and Autumn, along with a host of friends in the village of Silver Falls on the side of Hemlock Mountain. The young rabbit has always been told by his father that his mother died of pneumonia after losing twin babies. However, following a storm on his 15th birthday, Flynn is given a letter that his mother had left with the elders of the village informing him that she became so depressed following the deaths of the twins that she felt she had to leave.

Upset that he has been lied to, Flynn runs away from home to search for his mother. Along the way he meets some new friends, Stram the wandering squirrel, and Swift the new-fox who no longer eats other animals. In the meanwhile, Darben sets off with three of his friends from Silver Falls, another rabbit named Theron, a chipmunk named Fingle, and an otter named Jacob, to find Flynn and bring him home. However, with eagles, hawks, snakes, raging rivers, and high mountains, there are many dangers for both parties. What will Flynn do? Will he ever find his mother? (Or is there perhaps a sequel here?) Will he be able to return home? And what will happen to the search party?

This is one of the most fascinating books that I have read in a long while. It certainly kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. Furthermore, in addition to being just a good, exciting story, there are some important lessons embedded in the plot. One is that parents need to be honest and forthright with their children. Another is that young people need to beware of the dangerous consequences that often come from rebellion, defiance, and rash actions. Also, there are some situations that just cannot be changed, so we have to accept them. And there is great benefit in nurturing relationships with both family and friends. Finally, you can go home again--in fact, sometimes it is the best thing to do. Not many modern children's books extol the beauty of home and community as well as Wayward does. My congratulations go to Casey Head for a truly satisfying read that should appeal to both young and old.

Compare prices for Wayward: A Story from Silver Falls at Homeschoolbuzz.com

The Host: A Novel

2008-10-31T17:20:30-05:00

The Host: A Novel

by Stephenie Meyer
Reading Level: Ages 16+
Reviewed by Kathy Davis

Alien parasites have invaded Earth, occupying humans as "hosts" by using their large caterpillar like life forms to penetrate the human central nervous system. Once implanted at the base of the spinal cord, these "souls" take over the hosts' body and carry on with business as usual, except the alien now is charge, and the host mind gets lost somewhere. These souls can occupy any life form, with many having visited other planets and infiltrated other species and life forms. When host Melanie refuses to leave after her brain is taken over by the soul known as Wanderer, we are shown the conflict and struggle these two minds experience as they try to sort it all out. The wanderer is a soft, gentile personality while Melanie is aggressive and persistent. Their differences make for a mind-boggling and diversified read. The reader is faced with no short supply of material to ponder, such as what does it mean to be human? How do you fight a war and keep your human qualities? Can you really love your enemy? And is beauty more than skin deep?

This thick book (over 600 pages) took up a large portion of my reading time, and I can say I enjoyed it, but at times found the struggles between host and alien and surviving humans tiring. It is still a good book though, just be prepared for the time investment, because once you start reading you will want to see it through to find out how these creatures sort it all out. Possible objectionables include some passionate kissing scenes and some violent encounters.

Compare prices for The Host: A Novel at Homeschoolbuzz.com