Six Crows

Six Crows

A fable of a farmer, six crows, and a peace-making owl, this is not as fun to read or as interesting as most of Lionni's books. It's a bit predictable as far as plot, and although it has a good ending, it lacks the creativity of many of his better books. The cut-paper illustrations in six crows are great, bright and colorful but with characteristic simplicity you expect from this author. Although he's one of my favorite author, this book only gets 2 stars for it's over-simplified, predictable plot and lack of interesting phrases that we enjoy in his other books.

Overall rating: :star :star 

Suggested ages: 3-6

Literary quality~ :star :star 

Vocabulary~ :star :star 

Illustrations~ :star :star :star :star

Read-Aloud Appeal~ :star :star :star 

Overall Appeal~ :star :star  

Theodore and the Talking Mushroom

 Theodore the mouse is upset when he can't impress his friends with any skills. One day he comes upon a blue talking mushroom, and pretends the mushroom has a special message only he can understand. Everything is great, until his friends find out his secret.

Another one of Leo Lionni's creative and quirky animal books, this one is a little odder then his others, (talking mushrooms?) but still fun to read and listen to. Who can argue with a picture book that includes words like charlatan? Containing a very clear message not to trick your friends, and also that it's better to just be yourself, this book doesn't really have a happily-ever-after ending for the deceitful mouse. It's not an unjust ending, however, and like most fairy tales, children seem to delight in justice being served. The trademark cut-paper illustrations are unique and simple, but accompany the story perfectly.

Overall rating: :star :star :star 

Suggested ages: 3-8

Literary quality~ :star :star :star

Vocabulary~ :star :star :star :star 

Illustrations~ :star :star :star 

Read-Aloud Appeal~ :star :star :star :star

Overall Appeal~ :star :star :star 

Along Came a Dog

This is one of those great books that I had never heard of until I bought it for our second year of Ambleside Online. Along Came a Dog is the story of a little hen and a big black dog and the most unlikely of friendships. Unlike many animal stories, this book does not attempt to personify the creatures. This is probably my favorite aspect of this book. Having spent a lot of time observing the behaviors of both dogs and chickens, I have to say that the descriptions of these animals are accurate. However, instead of reading about the animals as an observer, this book places you inside their minds and interactions with each other.

The story starts with a lone red hen in a flock of white chickens. She is treated cruelly by the rest of the flock for her differences, and the farmer decides he will have to kill her to keep the peace. And then... along came a dog. The dog is an intriguing character of his own, a combination of loyalty and fear, confidence and humility. He becomes the silent guardian of the chicken, but will they be able to find a way to survive in the harsh world that has rejected them both?

While I think this is an excellent book on many levels- storyline, descriptions, literary quality, and accuracy- it may not be for every child. The nuances of the story may be hard for some young elementary age children to understand. Also, the actions of the other chickens toward the different little hen are brutal. In my opinion, this story is a creative and delightful exposure to the prejudices which children will encounter in the world. In the end, the chicken and the dog both find a very happy ending waiting for them.

Overall rating: :star :star :star :star 

Suggested ages: 8-Adult

Literary quality~ :star :star :star :star :star

Vocabulary~ :star :star :star :star :star

Illustrations~ :star :star :star

Read-Aloud Appeal~ :star :star :star 

Overall Appeal~ :star :star :star :star

Funnix Reading Program

Reading words, from Funnix 2

A phonics program from the people behind the popular book, "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons".   We have used this program for a couple of years now, and there are many things I like about it. I really like the theory behind the 100 Easy Lessons book, but it was a little boring for my kids.  The stories weren't that exciting, and there wasn't enough repetition to really get the concepts down, so the lessons were sometimes a struggle. Add color, fun stories, interactive games, and daily concept review, and you get Funnix.  

This is not something that you sit your kids down in front of  (thank goodness!) but instead you are running the mouse and observing, while the children listen and respond to the program.  They have to talk, read, and point to the screen.  Here is what the child will do in each lesson:

Practicing letters and combinations.

1. Practice and learn new letters, sounds and combinations.  
2. Read words. 
3. Read a story
4. Read the same story again, in a different way, with pictures.
5. Worksheet


The program includes PDF files of the worksheets for Funnix Beginning Reading, and the Reader for Funnix 2. Funnix 2 continues where Funnix Beginning Reading ends, but instead of reading on the screen, the children read from a reader and then re-read the story on the screen and see pictures.  The worksheet portion is done on regular lined paper instead of printed sheets. By the end of the 220 lessons the child will be reading at approximately a 3rd grade level, and properly spelling many words as well. 

Worksheet for Beginning Reading Lesson 30

If you have never read one of Siegfried Engelmann's books, you do need to know that material is presented rather quickly and in a different order then most phonics programs. Most vowels are introduced as long sounds first, which is different from every other phonics program I have seen.  It seems to be very effective, however, and my children have done very well with it. 



I highly recommend this program for both homeschoolers and parents who would like to ensure that their children to learn to read well and early, without depending on the school system to do it. This is perfect for parents who were not taught to read phonetically, or who just want a program to do the teaching for them.  The parents are simply facilitators with Funnix.  


Parents who are sending their children to public or private school could either start this program early, as it is designed to be used with children as young as 4, or have a designated time in the evenings to use it.  If started at 4 and used through the summer, this program could have a child reading at 3rd grade level by age 5 or 6.  The younger children may need more repetition or slower lessons, so don't count on being done in 220 days. ;)


You can read tons about the program by visiting the Funnix website, and see more sample pictures.  The program consists of 2 DVDs with the Funnix Beginning Reading and Funnix 2 computer programs, and PDF files of the Teacher's Guide, Getting Started Guide, Workbook and Reader.  You will get all of this for only $38.00, which is an excellent value, especially if you will be using it with more then one child. 

Story for lesson 99 from the Funnix 2 Reader

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

What a fun story! I have these amazing, imaginateive memories of this book from when I was a very little girl.  I still love to look at the one-of-a-kind illustrations. This is the wild, crazy, story of the little town of chew-and-swallow, where the weather isn't rain, snow and wind, but instead breakfast, lunch and supper. When the forecast goes crazy and starts bringing bigger and more dangerous meals, the poor people of Chew-and-swallow have to make the difficult decision to abandon their homes and escape before they are all killed by monster meatballs and smothering pancakes! A book no child should grow up without experiencing.

Overall rating: :star :star :star :star

Suggested ages: 3-10

Literary quality~ :star :star :star

Vocabulary~ :star :star :star 

Illustrations~ :star :star :star :star

Read-Aloud Appeal~ :star :star :star :star

Overall Appeal~ :star :star :star :star

The Foolish Tortoise

The story of a tortoise who can't be happy in a shell.  He takes it off but soon finds that life as himself was better after all. Told in a rhyming verse, this book seems to be a little preachy, focusing on the morel more then the story. It is a book that, while it has earned the honor of staying on my shelves, normally gets passed over for other picture books.  The story just seems a little forced and stilted with somewhat mediocre vocabulary.  The cute illustrations are done by Eric Carle, so they are recognizable to most children. An average book that had the honor of being illustrated by an above-average artist.

Overall rating: :star :star :star 

Suggested ages: 3-6

Literary quality~ :star :star 

Vocabulary~ :star :star :star 

Illustrations~ :star :star :star :star

Read-Aloud Appeal~ :star :star :star 

Overall Appeal~ :star :star 

The Little Red Lighthouse

And the Great Gray Bridge

A wonderful tale based on the true story of the building of the George Washington Bridge and the little lighthouse that stood in it's shadow. While it is not completely true to the tale, children love knowing that the book is about real landmarks. The story is fun to read and a very sweet way to remind your little ones that no matter how big they are, or what they can do, they are very important. Filled with imaginative yet realistic pictures and descriptions of the bridge being built, this is simply a fun, entertaining book.

Overall rating: :star :star :star :star

Suggested ages: 3-8

Literary quality~ :star :star :star :star

Vocabulary~ :star :star :star 

Illustrations~ :star :star :star 

Read-Aloud Appeal~ :star :star :star :star

Overall Appeal~ :star :star :star :star