If you read homeschooling blogs on a regular basis, or you're active on Instagram and homeschooling related hashtags, I know you've seen "Give Your Child the World" mentioned or pictured.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review.
This book by popular Simple Homeschool blogger Jamie Martin , has been critically acclaimed (LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow!) and promoted. So I was excited to receive a copy for our family's personal library.
What you'll find in Give Your Child the World:
The first section is part memoir, part practical advice for "raising globally minded kids". The Martin family is diverse and their experiences are varied.
This book isn't about a surface only "Multiculturalism". It's about truly appreciating and understanding the fascinating world we live in and the people who make up that world. This includes learning to appreciate our own countries in a deeper way.
The second section is the heart of the book: extensive reading lists to help "Give Your Child the World". This is where this book earns a place on your shelf.
These lists are divided by areas (Multicultural, Africa, Europe, Asia, Middle East, North America, Latin America, Australia and Polar Regions) and by recommended ages for reading. Short briefs for each book help explain why each particular book deserved a place on the list.
What I Loved about Give Your Child the World:
Books about books are one of my favorite genres. I have several on my shelves already. (I'll share a few of those at the end of this post.)
What makes this particular book so incredibly valuable is the fantastic resource of indexes at the end of the book. I'd almost call these the third section of the book. You can search by author, by country / region, historical times from ancient to modern, and by title. So, whether you're putting together a geography or history unit for a co-op class, or your child just really wants to learn about Peru right now (anyone else watch The Middle?), these lists are going to help you out.
And here's the thing: you don't have to be a homeschool parent to appreciate this book. Any parent (or grandparent) or teacher will find this a helpful resource.
Why Give Your Child the World is Timely:
Children learn through story. Story is still the best way to help your child love any subject. And stories are one of the best ways to learn to appreciate differences and similarities in others.
The one thing I wish this book included would be book covers. I understand why they weren't included, though. I'm sure printing cost and legal permissions would have been prohibitively expensive.
Which is one reason why I'm enjoying following along (even though my family isn't participating) with the Read the World Summer Book Club. Each week is a new emphasis and there are maps, music, videos, and more to help "give your child the world". It's not too late to join the party so go check it out. (This week is North America.) Be sure to use the appropriate hashtags on Instagram, too - it's a great way to get a mental image of what the suggested books look like.
Have you read Give Your Child the World? Are you participating in the summer book club? I'd love to hear about your family's experiences!
If you're looking for more books with great booklists, you might like these:
