During the MACHE conference I went to a session about the Charlotte Mason approach to education given by Shirley Solis of Lifetime Books & Gifts. It was very inspiring since I strive to teach my children using good literature. Shirley talked about living books, which is a new concept to me.
I know that there's a difference in the quality of literature out there, but having the definition helps me. And, the ridiculous name, "twaddle" makes me giggle. I've been tossing these words around in my head and will continue to do so. My kids' bookshelves are stuffed with 100's of twaddle books. (See below) Have they enjoyed them? Yes. But, are they enriching their lives? I'm not so sure anymore. I've just gone with the idea in the past that the more books they have, the better. As long as they don't teach anything too bad, then we're safe. But, is that a good way? I'm not even worried about the "best" way (since there seem to be thousands of best ways), I just wonder if it's even good, anymore.
My 6 year old daughter and I are almost done reading The Little Princess. It has been AMAZING!! It a true living book filled with beautiful words, vivid imagination, worldly lessons and rich values. I was a little nervous at first that Jeega would immediately dismiss it and I would push her to learn to hate books, if they seem too hard or out of her element. On the contrary!! She has worried when Sara is in despair, had tears in her eyes when Sara has gone without food due to the horrific actions of the head-mistress. Today she was excited as Sara's dreams were coming true and her attic room became transformed like magic. I miss estimated the power of these literary gifts, and I feel like I've unleashed the hunger of classics as they eat up the twaddle that has held our family captive for so long.
We're having a garage sale this weekend. It will take a brave step, but I need to remove the twaddle to make room for the living.
**20 minutes later** literally
Well, I quickly went through the nearly 350 books (yes, I have counted before) and here are my results:
Twaddle I've removed
Living Books left in Bear's shelf
Living Books left in Jeega's shelf
When examining the books left behind, you may not agree that they are all Living Books, and that's okay. Some of them are ones that are simply favorites of our family and we would feel like we lost a good friend if they were gone. Maybe after the shock wears off, I'll think twice about the ones left behind. But for today, I think we're good! Plus, my kids were excited about the idea of having only the good and best books in our library when I told them a few minutes ago what I have done. How about that? That was a good surprise.
Charlotte Mason promoted the use of living books.
Living books are well written books, “whole books,” with high literary
content. These books should display “origination, imagination, and the
‘human touch.’” Examples of living books are classics, such as LITTLE
HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, TREASURE ISLAND, or first hand sources, such as
“The Declaration of Independence.” Living Books are the opposite of
“twaddle,” which are books “drained dry of living thought.”
I know that there's a difference in the quality of literature out there, but having the definition helps me. And, the ridiculous name, "twaddle" makes me giggle. I've been tossing these words around in my head and will continue to do so. My kids' bookshelves are stuffed with 100's of twaddle books. (See below) Have they enjoyed them? Yes. But, are they enriching their lives? I'm not so sure anymore. I've just gone with the idea in the past that the more books they have, the better. As long as they don't teach anything too bad, then we're safe. But, is that a good way? I'm not even worried about the "best" way (since there seem to be thousands of best ways), I just wonder if it's even good, anymore.
My 6 year old daughter and I are almost done reading The Little Princess. It has been AMAZING!! It a true living book filled with beautiful words, vivid imagination, worldly lessons and rich values. I was a little nervous at first that Jeega would immediately dismiss it and I would push her to learn to hate books, if they seem too hard or out of her element. On the contrary!! She has worried when Sara is in despair, had tears in her eyes when Sara has gone without food due to the horrific actions of the head-mistress. Today she was excited as Sara's dreams were coming true and her attic room became transformed like magic. I miss estimated the power of these literary gifts, and I feel like I've unleashed the hunger of classics as they eat up the twaddle that has held our family captive for so long.
We're having a garage sale this weekend. It will take a brave step, but I need to remove the twaddle to make room for the living.
**20 minutes later** literally
Well, I quickly went through the nearly 350 books (yes, I have counted before) and here are my results:
Twaddle I've removed
Living Books left in Bear's shelf
Living Books left in Jeega's shelf
When examining the books left behind, you may not agree that they are all Living Books, and that's okay. Some of them are ones that are simply favorites of our family and we would feel like we lost a good friend if they were gone. Maybe after the shock wears off, I'll think twice about the ones left behind. But for today, I think we're good! Plus, my kids were excited about the idea of having only the good and best books in our library when I told them a few minutes ago what I have done. How about that? That was a good surprise.
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