| Author | |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Oct 28 2011 at 7:21am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I am really enjoying reading all the responses to this thread. it is giving me a lot to think about and books to watch for.
I don't think books have to be all the same type to be a collection. If Mary can have owls, then I can have my small collection of poetry books, which I dearly love.
I am having severe library envy for those of you with large and plentiful systems. I would *love* to take a library tour like Mimi.
If we were writing the Homeschooling 10 Commandments, that would definitely have to be one: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's library system. 
The Dana Girls and Trixie Belden bring back happy memories for me- I think I liked Trixie the best, even over Nancy Drew.
Jesus said his Father's house is a mansion with many rooms. I am just going to have to take it on faith that one of those rooms is a humungous
library 
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
|
| Posted: Oct 28 2011 at 8:07am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mackfam wrote:
Betsy wrote:
::Threadjack::
Jen, are these all OOP? I have a young reader that IS a cowboy (as opposed to pretending to be a cowboy!). I am sure he would love these.
::end Threadjack:: |
|
|
Yes, they are, Betsy, but they aren't too difficult to find affordably. They were originally done in 1951, and they each build on the other, so if you're using them just as early readers with a pretty good reader it's no big deal, but if you're using them with an emerging reader you might want to know the order. I'll share a list of the series, and if I have the book, I'll list the grade level that the back of the book lists it as appropriate for.
1) Cowboy Sam and Big Bill
2) Cowboy Sam ~ 1st/2nd grade (this book does include a few of what it calls pre-primer words)
3) Cowboy Sam and Freddy - 1st/2nd grade
4) Cowboy Sam and the Rodeo - 2nd grade
4) Cowboy Sam and the Rustlers
5) Cowboy Sam and Porky
6) Cowboy Sam and Shorty
7) Cowboy Sam and the Fair
8) Cowboy Sam and the Indians
9) Cowboy Sam and Dandy
10) Cowboy Sam and Miss Lily
11) Cowboy Sam and Flop
12) Cowboy Sam and Sally
13) Cowboy Sam and the Airplane - 3rd grade+
Each book gives a list of new vocabulary in the back of the book with a little index as to the grade level of that word. Listed next to each word is the page number the word is first introduced in the story. Words come from Gates' Word List for Primary Grades (this word list is referred to here in Dolch's word list.)
|
|
|
Thanks for the detailed reply, Jen. I know some of these will be under the Christmas Tree this year! 
__________________
ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Oct 28 2011 at 2:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Such great lists! There are a few I haven't heard, and I'm taking notes on the good authors and illustrators. A few I already keep my eyes out for.
On my shelves I "collect" what I want, and don't usually have matching or the whole set. I think the Little House books are the only ones I have "complete".
We need to have more threads about books and authors. This is way too much fun! It's also rewarding that I can find some of these at my library to preview.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
caallas
Forum Newbie
Joined: May 31 2007
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17
|
| Posted: Nov 21 2011 at 3:15pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We have some series such as the Little House series, 39 Clues, Hank the Cowdog and Redwall. I suppose they are collections though they weren't obtained for any other purpose than to read. Does that make sense? But as for collecting with the desire to make a complete collection my ds collects Jan Brett, my dd collects Ken Follett and Shakespeare, and I collect Dorothy Gilman (Mrs. Pollifax),
Shakespeare and Bill Peet. I adore Bill Peet.
Cindy A
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Nov 21 2011 at 3:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
caallas wrote:
| We have some series such as the Little House series, 39 Clues, Hank the Cowdog and Redwall. I suppose they are collections though they weren't obtained for any other purpose than to read. Does that make sense? |
|
|
That makes total sense, Cindy. That's my intention -- we "collect" the various series or multiple books by an author so we can read them. None of our collections are these First Printing, mint condition, do-not-touch books.
I wonder what other word we could use other than "collecting" so we don't send a contradictory message?
Actively pursue gathering copies of series so we can read them all?
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Nov 21 2011 at 7:59pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
caallas wrote:
We have some series such as the Little House series, 39 Clues, Hank the Cowdog and Redwall. I suppose they are collections though they weren't obtained for any other purpose than to read. Does that make sense? But as for collecting with the desire to make a complete collection my ds collects Jan Brett, my dd collects Ken Follett and Shakespeare, and I collect Dorothy Gilman (Mrs. Pollifax),
Shakespeare and Bill Peet. I adore Bill Peet.
Cindy A
|
|
|
Mrs. Pollifax!
I love those stories. There is one that mentions how she unexpectedly lost five pounds over the winter. I always think of that and wish it would happen to me
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stellamaris
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 26 2009
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2732
|
| Posted: Nov 21 2011 at 10:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Anne of Green Gables
Horatio Hornblower (some problematic moral moments in this one)
Little House (of course!)
The Chronicles of Narnia, plus the Space Trilogy by CS Lewis
A set of E.B. White books (Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web, The Trumpet of the Swan)
Indian in the Cupboard
All the Robert McCloskey books
Five in a Row Volumes I, II, and III most of the books
Catholic Mosaic
Christmas Mosaic
Now I'm working on collecting all the older Caldecott and Newberry books. Most of the newer ones are not the same quality, but sometimes wonderful newer books are published. Some of the really old books I have found are not as engaging and have a little bit of weird (not bad, just odd to my tastes) content (like Caldecotts from the 20's). You have to be aware of racist attitudes, too, in the older works. Other than that, I have found some keepers!
Here's one I enjoyed: The Windy Hill A touching story of the relationship of an older uncle to two younger relations, the conflicts that can arise in families, the negative consequences that result when we are vengeful or angry, and the necessity for forgiveness of ourselves and others. Wonderfully crafted story that both boys and girls can enjoy. A bit of a mystery as well. Ages 10+
__________________
In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to  dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stellamaris
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 26 2009
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2732
|
| Posted: Nov 21 2011 at 10:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Plus, I found a series about early American settlers from different countries called The Land of the Free Series. They are similar to the Landmark series in that each is written by a different author. The first one I read, which I really enjoyed, was titled The Song of the Pines and focused on a Norwegian boy who immigrated to America and found a life working in the lumber camps of Wisconsin (I think it was Wisconsin!). This book was a Newberry Honor book in 1950 (which is how I found it and then I found the others in typical rabbit trail fashion  )
Here's the complete list and brief descriptions.
__________________
In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
Flowing Streams
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MamaFence
Forum Pro
Joined: May 19 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 139
|
| Posted: Nov 21 2011 at 11:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I want to come back and really read all the replies. We are just getting started with book collections here. So far, we have
The Little House Books
The Chronicles of Narnia
several American Girl sets
books for Christmas Mosaic--I just bought 13 last week, and had several on the list already.
__________________
Gina, mother to 4
DD 7yr (11.04)
DD 5yr (6.06)
DS 3yr (6.08)
DS 2yr (11.09)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: June 27 2013 at 9:02am | IP Logged
|
|
|
BUMP!
This is a fun thread! Great reading list ideas. Great gift ideas. And, maybe good timing for some summer reading binging.
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: June 27 2013 at 9:47am | IP Logged
|
|
|
BUMP!
This is a fun thread! Great reading list ideas. Great gift ideas. And, maybe good timing for some summer reading binging.
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: June 27 2013 at 10:55am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Great bump!
Adding another series of books I found last year and that we LOVE! I thought these would be a huge hit with my boys...and they are! BUT...I was astonished to find my high school daughter has been taking volumes upstairs to her room to read! I just found that out!
The Book of Knowledge: The Children's Encyclopedia - edited by Arthur Mee. 20 volume set. (Link to search results for this set on ebay, but you can also find this set on Amazon and Abebooks as well as other used/oop book vendors.)
These were originally put together in London around the turn of the 20th century and they're gems!!! Just treasures! If you look for them, don't confuse them with a different series entitled The New Book of Knowledge. Make sure you find a set edited by Arthur Mee, and please note that there were several revisions through the years. The newer sets are highly revised and lack the beauty of the older illustrations. I have a 1926, Grolier Society set with blue covers. The set can have a variety of different color covers and still be the same series - it's the editor (Mee) and year that counts when looking for this set - not necessarily the color of the edition. A highly informative website that details much of the history of this set, along with the changes to the editions throughout the years is here. You can still find intact sets on ebay for not too much. I found my set a couple of years ago for $100.
It began its life as a collection of articles that were published in England in children's magazines. Eventually, the wonderfully illustrated articles were bound in 12 volumes and became The Children's Encyclopedia. This will help you envision the series - it reads more like a collection of interesting children's articles and stories - not at all like a dry encyclopedia of factual knowledge. You'll find a story on every topic you can imagine. Obviously, the science will be outdated, but all of the other stories are still so worthy and interesting. Each volume in the 20 volume series contains articles, stories and illustrations that are grouped within the following topics:The Earth
Science
Wonder Questions
Animal Life
Plant Life
Own Own Life
Familiar Things
All Countries
The United States
Other Countries
Fine Arts
Literature
Famous Books
Stories
Poetry
Golden Deeds
Men and Women
Things to Make and Things to Do Christianity is promoted (but not in an artificial, forced way...just naturally throughout the pages) throughout the book series and there are many noteworthy Catholic items within the series, like notable saints.
This is such a wonderful set that it could stand alone as a curriculum for your year if you were strapped for cash! In fact, one of the most wonderful things about the set is the EXTENSIVE and cross referenced index in the last volume of the set! (Note that the index may be very different in different editions of this series so I'm detailing the index in the 1926, Grolier Society edition).
In addition to the index in this book, there are two other meaty, extensive portions of the book which I value so much! The index makes up 1/3 of the book, and each of these other sections makes up an additional third on their own.First section --> General Index
Poetry Index
Declaration of Independence and Constitution (with notes)
------------------------------------------------------
Second section --> The School-Subject Guide
Excerpt:
Quote:
| The School-Subject Guide is an analysis of the contents of The Book of Knowledge according to the general classifications used in schools. |
|
|
These are the ten main divisions into which the matter of the book is divided:
1. Geography, History, Civics and Economics
2. Nature Study
3. Physiology, Hygeine and Psychology
4. General Science
5. Applied Science and Industry
6. Things to Make and Do
7. Helps to Learning
8. Biography
9. English and Literature
10. Fine Arts
------------------------------------------------------ Third section --> Graded Courses of Study
These are divided by year (1st grade - 9th grade) and by subject, cross referencing the topic from within a particular volume of the series, and then giving brief topical notes to the side of the reference so you know exactly what that section might cover. Each section includes articles, stories, things to do, and tests.
Side note --> Frances Epps, one of the contributing authors to the book series, also contributed greatly to Charlotte Mason's body of work! Interesting connection, huh?
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: June 27 2013 at 10:59am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Forgot to add two more informational links for the Arthur Mee The Book of Knowledge set:
Volume 1, completely digitized so you can get a feel for this set.
Arthur Mee's Children's Encyclopedia
Edited to add this helpful suggestion for how to introduce this set:
Quote:
How to introduce the Children's Encyclopedia
to today's children.
Buy a set in reasonable condition through a trading-post magazine, a second-hand bookshop, a fete. Make sure that it is one of the the good editions, not the later shoddy versions. It must be a set with a blue or brown cover and gold lettering on the back, unless you find a red-covered set that still has the pictures and print clear and good. Some sets come in a little wooden bookcase of their own. Yes, it is old-fashioned, yes, it may look old but - it is a treasure.
Look through with your child/children for say five minutes a day and then leave it so they can browse whenever they likes in their bedroom.
First show some of the pages of colored pictures of birds, shells, insects etc.
Second, some of the pages of famous art and sculpture.
Third, show and read some of the stories.
Fourth. show volume 10 with the Index and how to find anything when he has a project or wants to find out anything else. Some will be out-of-date, but it can be interesting to find out how things used to be. But usually you can find general knowledge items faster from the index than from the Internet. In the index there are also remarkable sets of information, such as a picture-dictionary of Art around p 7109 with 100 entries.
Fifth, show the index in the front of each volume, so you can find out where are the stories, the art, the poems, the history (that's lively!), the wonder questions, etc.
Sixth, find some poems you like, and read them to the children.
Then leave it to them, unless they want you to read them more stories. |
|
|
Enjoy! 
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
kristacecilia
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 05 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 677
|
| Posted: June 27 2013 at 12:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Adding this one to my favorites, too.
Although, I have to say, the sheer number of books in this thread is overwhelming me!!
I may have to start a new thread on building home libraries, Jen, because I am in a similar situation as you (rural, poor library, heavily protestant pickings, etc) but I would have to think about what I need to ask. Right now it's all just swimming around in my sleep deprived brain in a nonsensical way.
__________________
God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: What book collections do you have?
