Read-Aloud Thursday ~ The California Edition

We have been studying the 50 United States this year.  This week we are focusing on California, specifically the Bay Area.  The reason for this is quite exciting - we are leaving soon on a trip to San Francisco!   Our read-alouds this week have all focused on preparing for the trip.

We are HUGE Virginia Lee Burton fans.  I had to order Maybelle The Cable Car for our library.  We've loved her other books (last year we rowed Katy and The Big Snow and adored that story), and this one is no exception.  I can't wait to actually ride the cable cars with my children to have this book come alive!

Journey Around San Francisco from A to Z was loaned to me by a dear homeschooling friend.  She also advised me to have my children send themselves postcards during the trip - what a great way to journal their adventure!  

This book is so much more than a simple ABC book.  There is so much rich history packed into each page.  Marth Zschock has used alliteration to make each page come alive - "Fog float in frequently" and  "Isolated Alcatraz imprisoned infamous inmates" are among my favorites!   

We will be spending a day in Muir Woods, and I didn't know  much about the naturalist, John Muir (this article is wonderful for learning more about him!), who was the founder of our National Parks System.  Thanks to a very knowledgeable librarian, I came home with two books that were packed with information.

  

Part of the Famous Explorers of the Americas series, this book was perfect for my six and ten year old.   It is a concise biography of John Muir, with actual pictures of him and pictures of his journal entries.   We learned so much!  We even spent the afternoon outside today in one of our favorite spots to be naturalists just like John Muir!   

How beautiful are the fall days here in Georgia?  I see two budding naturalists on the dock!

Finally, our librarian gave us a picture book, Squirrel and John Muir, which is a fictionalized account of what might have happened between John Muir and Floyd Hutchings when they met in Yosemite in 1868.   Hutchings is the man who opened the first hotel in the Yosemite Valley. 

You might be familiar with another of Emily Arnold McCully's books, Mirette on The High Wire, which is a Five in a Row title.   (Have I mentioned how much we love Five In A Row?) 

"Squirrel" is Floyd's six year old daughter.   The story is a touching account of Muir's influence on her - and shows us how Muir really changed the way all Americans view our natural resources.  

We've also gotten read some basic books about California and the Golden Gate Bridge as well.   I think we're well prepared - but nothing will compare to seeing it in person!   We love taking exciting field trips (see our Niagara Falls and Erie Canal book list), and I can't wait for this one!  

What are you reading aloud this week?

Happily Linking With Amy at Hope is The Word for Read Aloud Thursday. 

Imagination Station Blog Tour

I am participating in a book tour for the new Imagination Station series of books.  We have been reading these books aloud for the past several weeks and have thoroughly enjoyed them.   I want to tell you all about them today.  


If your child has enjoyed The Magic Treehouse Series, they will most certainly like Imagination Station, published by Focus on The Family/Tyndale House.  If you're a fan of Adventures in Odyssey, you will love this extension of the popular audio series. 


The books are the adventures of cousins Beth and Patrick, who (while visiting Whit's End) find the Imagination Station.  Each story is based on what Beth and Patrick would do because of their faith in God.  The books teach about history THROUGH A LENS OF FAITH.   


Currently there are 6 books available, with more coming soon.    

For review purposes, we received the complete set of books - what a treat!   It included:

#1:  Voyage With the Vikings
#2:  Attack at the Arena
#3:  Peril in the Palace
#4:  Revenge of the Red Knight
#5:  Showdown with the Shepherd
#6:  Problems in Plymouth

In our history studies this year we have been learning about the Ancients and have just started Medieval times... The first two books (Voyage with the Vikings and Attack at the Arena) were of particular interest to us.  I read them aloud to my six year old.   They are recommended for ages 7 and up, but I think children as young as 4 or 5 can listen to them.  Composed of 15 short chapters, the books can be read in little chunks here and there, although my son was begging me to read several chapters at a time!  My son is able to read them by himself, but I wanted to hear them, too!   


My daughter, 10, also enjoys the books and has been reading them on her own... these are books that can be passed down to several children, or enjoyed with multiple ages at the same time.  I love those kinds of resources!  


Each book follows the same sequence of events -- Beth and Patrick start out in Whit's End in the Imagination Station and are given a different challenge.  The Imagination Station takes them to the particular period in history and Beth and Patrick must face adventures and challenges to solve the mystery.   The historical information presented is accurate and memorable.   These books are a wonderful supplement to our history curriculum!  


At the end of each book there are a few little written puzzles to complete to come up with a secret word.  Once your child has this word, they can then go to the Imagination Station website and enter this word to unlock a free Adventures in Odyssey episode.  My son loved this!   You can also see previews of each book and much more! 

If you'd like a chance to win a set of the books, you can visit my friend Kathy's blog, where she is hosting a giveaway.   

Disclaimer: I received the above named products from Tyndale House Publishing  in return for my honest review. I have not been compensated in any other form.