I grew up LOVING Little House on the Prairie, but sadly my two older kids didn't enjoy them. My heart was broken when my daughter didn't like them (LOL) Recently we had the opportunity to review the Circle C Stepping Stones books. We were blessed to receive both Andi Saddles Up and Andi Under the Big Top. These books are written by Susan K. Marlow and published by Kregel Publications, When I first looked at the website I was hoping Issac would enjoy these. These books are geared towards boys and girls in the 7-10 range. Issac, being 9, fit right in that age range. The books are about Andi, a 9 year old girl, living in 1877. In the first book Andi is turning 9 and her horse, Taffy, is turning 3. Andi is hoping for a new saddle for her birthday, but at her birthday breakfast she gets an unexpected surprise. She later makes a new friend and they have wonderful adventures as well as a few not so wonderful ones. In the second book it is summer and Andi is excited that the circus is coming to town. She doesn't ever remember attending the circus before, but her family says she did. She can't think of anything else until she gets there. Both of these books are great, wholesome stories that have good values intertwined. Several times we see Andi thinking of doing something she shouldn't or actually doing something wrong. Her family members are right there to help her understand why what she did was wrong and how she could have better handled the situation. Her family is also there to show her how to treat others.
There are a few things about these books that we don't always see. The first is that any words the child might not be familiar with are located at the beginning of the book. There are definitions, so they can get familiar with these words before reading the text. There is also a wonderful pdf study guide for each book. I wasn't sure how my son would feel about this (LOL) I worried he would think it was "work" verses just reading a good book. I printed about half of each study and we did those pages. He enjoyed every one that we did. There was lots of information and fun activities. Here are a few pages we did from Andi Saddles Up:
These books will be a wonderful edition to your child's library. The books appeal to so many different children. If you have a child that loves the Old West or horses they will love these books. If your interested in more information about these books check out their social media sites:
Twitter (Kregel Books): https://twitter.com/KregelBooks
Twitter (Susan K Marlow): https://twitter.com/SuzyScribbles
Facebook (Kregel Books): https://www.facebook.com/KregelBooks/
Facebook (Susan K Marlow): https://www.facebook.com/SusanKMarlow?fref=ts
Thanks I may have to see if I can afford to buy one of these and see what my grands think before buying more. Thanks for the heads up
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy to lend you the two we have to see if the kids like them. Just let me know:)
DeleteHey, Teresa, thanks for the lovely review of the stepping stones books. :-) I always love seeing pictures, and it's nice when it's BOYS reading the books.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I appreciated the Little House books much more as an adult than as a child. I did love On the Banks of Plum Creek because of the conflict between Laura and Nellie. The others seemed to just "be there." This happened, then that. I realize now the books are considered "personal experience" stories. I LOVE them now, as they give insight into that time period.
anyway, didn't mean to ramble. Thanks again!
Susan
Thank you for your thanks! I can't wait to read the future books and I know Issac will be excited too! He's just really starting to move forward with his reading, so it was nice for him to be able to read them. We read them also at bed:) Thanks again for letting us review them!
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