Secular Charlotte Mason

I always enjoy reading what people consider to be a Living Book.  It helps me refine my selection process.  If a friend asks "What is a Living Book?" it's easier for me to direct them to a few on-line sources than try to explain it myself.   Even then it's probably better to read a few living books to get the feel of what to look for...

I like this article, especially the title "Toward a Definition of a Living Book," which tells me that I'm not the only one thinking about the best way to find living books.  It's interesting that Charlotte Mason would test a book on a group of students and if a large portion of the class could not narrate the book it was "the wrong book." 

Thankfully, now we have on-line resources to help us find living books.

http://www.amblesideonline.org/LivingBks.shtml

The second article adds more ideas about living books and ways to use them.  It makes me wonder what parents of traditionally schooled children would say after reading this...  For me, it affirms what I am doing with my children.

http://www.home-school.com/Articles/CharlotteMason.html

This is included on the AO link but I like it well enough to call attention to it.

Another good description of living books.

http://thereallifehome.blogspot.com/2008/12/charlotte-mason-basics-living-books.html

These are excellent, Cori!  Thank you!

My husband, Rod, (also a member here) was never much of a reader until we started homeschooling Jack.  Since he has joined us in our bedtime stories, he has begun to get a feel for living books by experience, but it's wonderful to have words to share with him to express that ineffible quality that is what I am looking for in our books.