Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #52773 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback

Ingram
A thorough chapter-by-chapter overview of the inspiring teaching principles of Christian educator Charlotte Mason, this book reveals the practical day by day method of how to teach "the Charlotte Mason way". The author offers friendly advice, and humor, along with the joys and struggles of real homeschool life. The book covers education, parenting, homeschooling and lots of encouraging advice for mothers.

Customer Reviews

Pay attention to the title...
Another reviewer was disappointed in this book because it was not a concise guide to Charlotte Mason's methods. I would agree that this book is more rambling than concise, but I would also point out that the title of the book is quite accurate. It is not titled "A Guide to Charlotte Mason" but A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning.

I think this title describes this lovely book perfectly. It is indeed not a clear guide to Charlotte Mason's ideas, but a companion to them, and the book is made up of Karen Andreola's personal ideas, and her stories of how she taught her children the "Charlotte Mason way."

Physically, this is an attractive book. It is a nice thick size, with heavy white paper, and is sprinkled with beautiful antique illustrations throughout.

The Victorian illustrations are the reader's first clue as to the author's love affair with the Victorian era. Some readers might be put off by the old fashioned tone and old fashioned ideas in this book. Others, like myself, might find it an interesting change. This is certainly the first homeschooling book I have read which includes instructions for knitting Victorian lace!

Ms. Andreola includes many other interesting tidbits towards the end of the book (after she has spent many chapters explaining the benefits of using "living" books, narration, etc)--for example she dedicates an entire chapter to playing with sand, and another on how to take your children on a pleasant picnic. I found these later chapters the most interesting, and I received some fresh ideas for our homeschool from them.

In short, this is a pleasant and helpful book to read for homeschooling mothers. It will especially appeal to those who admire not only CM's ideas on education, but the Victorian culture from which those ideas came forth. I'm not sure if this book would be a good introduction to Charlotte Mason--it is a bit rambling (in a nice way!) for that. For those wanting to know more about this method of education, I would look for websites to read first before I bought this book (there are many websites dedicated to CM out there).

But if you are a homeschooling mother who is already familiar with CM, or is already using her methods, and you are looking for a bit of inspiration, then this book is for you! I'm so glad I bought it myself, It is well worth the cost.

praise for Karen Andreola!
A few years ago I read Karen's book and it has stuck with me since. It is without question, the BEST book to inspire the BEST homeschooling ever! When I felt most discouraged, I would pick up her book and get the encouragement I needed. Now, two college grads later (one Summa Cum Laude and one Magna!) and three kids that are younger, later, I am still holding onto the Charlotte Mason principles. Karen is like a cool breeze after a hot, humid day! Please get this book, some herbal tea, a relaxing chair and some time to yourself. It will be an investment in your family, I promise!

HOMESCHOOLING PARENTS: Put This Book On Your Wish List!
I have had the pleasure of hearing Karen Andreola speak in person. She is a lovely, energetic person whose words have the power to encourage the most downhearted homeschooling parent. This element of encouragement is strong throughout A Charlotte Mason Companion, and I highly recommend that any parent considering a literature-based approach to their children's education read this book as soon as possible.

Those of you who have read -- or have attempted to read -- the original writings of Charlotte Mason can attest to the fact that her books are not an easy read! Mrs. Andreola has distilled the wisdom and direction of Charlotte Mason into an easily read and easily digested format. In short, the author has made Charlotte Mason much more accessible.

Far from using a dry-bones, facts-only approach, the author has instead infused her writing with a sense of "you can do this." Indeed, the sensitive reader will most likely exclaim, "Why, yes, I CAN do this!"

Karen Andreola MAKES SENSE of Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education.

This book belongs on the libary shelves of all homeschooling families!

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Jill Schafer Boehme, Author of MY LIMA BEANS ARE ALLERGIC TO MY SPOON and Editor of MOMMY! The Internet Lifeline for At-home Moms (a free Ezine)