Blog - Meredith Ludwig Curtis

Picture Book Review: What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs?

9/19/2017

I love this book!

What Really Happened to the Dinosaurs by John D. Morris and Ken Ham is a fun look at the Pre-Flood world where dinosaurs and other animals lived alongside humans.

In this imaginative, fun-filled adventure Tracker John and his pet dinosaur D.J. learn more about dinosaurs.

It is refreshing to read a child-friendly and beautifully-illustrated picture book that is written from a biblical perspective about dinosaurs. I get so tired of hearing and reading about the worldly myth of evolution. I love being able to read a book aloud to my kids that is truthful when it comes to Creation and dinosaurs.

My children loved this book, especially my son Jimmy. Of course, what boy doesn't love dinosaurs? They are just super-cool animals!

In addition to being a great story that will capture children's imagination, I have used this book in our ancient history studies and our science studies. I found the information to be accurate and helpful in our homeschooling.

Picture Book Review: The Legend of the Candy Cane

9/19/2017

We hang candy canes on our Christmas tree each year. Do you?

We also love reading the sweet story aloud at Christmastime each year. The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg is a delightful tale set at the turn of the 20th century.

When a stranger rides into town, folks hope he will be a doctor or merchant. Instead, the children's wish comes true. He is a candy-maker.

Little Lucy befriends the candy-maker. In turn, he reveals the true story of how the candy cane came to be. Lucy is delighted! Readers will be, too.

Lucy learns all about the symbolism of the candy cane. If you hold the candy cane one way, it is a "J' for Jesus. If you hold it the other way, it is a shepherd's crook. In addition, the red strips stand for the blood of Jesus.

Together, the candy-maker and Lucy share the message of the Christmas candy cane with the whole town. The message of Christmas reaches everyone!

Review of Missing Link: Found!

9/19/2017

Years ago, I had the privilege of sitting in one of Felice Gerwitz's workshops. She was warm, wise, and witty. She enthused about Creation Science, homeschooling, and hands-on learning.

I was so surprised when she mentioned that she started her homeschooling career HATING science! I couldn't believe it! This is the founder of Media Angels, the provider of study guides and activity packs on Creation Science...written by Felice! In learning how to make science interesting for her children, she discovered the joy and wonder of learning about God's Creation.

What a great testimony! It really encouraged me in my homeschooling journey.

Another treasure was to be discovered. This time, it would be for my children.

As homeschooling moms have learned, nothing cements learning like a good story. Move over, Nancy Drew, because the Truth Seekers are here! Though Nancy was moral, this homeschooled brother and sister love Jesus! So does Mom, Dad, and the rest of the family. Missing Link: Found is filled with action and adventure from deep sea fishing in the Keys to an archeological dig in Central Florida. Being a Floridian, I was thrilled with the setting! Dad, Dr. Jack Murphy, is an archeologist. Mom is pregnant!

Picture Book Review: The Ugly Duckling

9/18/2017

All of us, young or old, have endured moments or days or years where we felt like we didn't fit in, like we were, well, like we were the ugly duckling.

The Ugly Duckling is an old fairy tale written by Danish author and Christian Hans Christian Anderson. All of his tales are enchanting. Some have happy endings. Some have bittersweeet endings.

The Ugly Duckling ends happy, but it sure starts out sad.

You see, an ugly little bird is born at the farm. No one is sure where he came from and everyone makes fun of him. He wanders away from the farm to live with ducks and geese, but they are scattered by a hunter. As, you can guess, he moves place to place, but never fits in.

Of course, you and I both know that he's an "ugly" duckling because he's not a duckling at all. He grows up to be a graceful, beautiful swan to his own delight and the complete shock of the other animals.

Review of N or M? by Agatha Christie

9/12/2017

I love reading murder mysteries by Agatha Christie.

N or M? was no exception.

It was an engaging story with charming characters, especially Tommy and Tuppence who were now middle-aged and wanting to serve their nation during World War II. But are they too old?

This story iss set in Britain during World War II right at the start of the war.

Will Tommy and Tuppence crack the case?

Will they discover the secret German spy's identity in time?

I was surprised by the twist ending.

Suddenly the homeschool mom in me kicked in. This story would be a great historical fiction book when we are studying World War II.

World War II Espionage

Review of 365 Read Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories

9/12/2017

We have five grown children who love Jesus.

This little book is one of the tools we used to raise godly children.

You see, Mike would read a story to the kids each night before bed, often a Bible story and we would read the Scripture to the kids in the morning.

When we had outgrown our favorite picture Bible books, we wanted something that would be meaty, but accurate.

365 Read-Aloud Bible Bedtime Stories by Daniel Partner is a great next step for young children ages 3 to 8 who are ready for the next step.

We love this book! So many stories, such a good adaptation from Scripture. We give a copy to every new parent we know.

There is a story for every day of the year and each story is straight from Scripture.

Review of The Genius of Ancient Man: Evolution’s Nightmare

9/12/2017

After I finished reading The Secrets of Ancient Man, I had to read The Genius of Ancient Man.

I found this book equally compelling.

Like his other book, it was easy-to-understand and beautifully illustrated book with charts and graphs to make things clear for me as a reader.

I was blessed to learn more about the Bible, ancient history texts, and archaeology.

These books led me to other resources and further study. In preparing to teach a homeschool co-op class on Ancient Times, I found The Genius of Ancient Man and The Secret of Ancient Man to be invaluable resources in class prep.

Let me share a little bit from the book to whet your appetite.

Trusting God

Review of Pilgrim's Progress

9/12/2017

I love telling you about great books to put on your library shelves. But, don't leave this one on the shelf. Pick it up and read it cover to cover!

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan is a Christian classic that was written in a jail cell. John Bunyan (1628-1688) was a Puritan pastor in the seventeenth century (1600’s).

John was arrested for his faith and teaching which did not line up with the Anglican Church viewpoint at the time. From his jail cell, he wrote down a dream. Wow! What an intricate dream!

This allegory (symbolic story) follows Christian, the hero of the story and a pilgrim on a journey from the City of Destruction to the Heavenly City. An allegory is a story on two levels. On the first level Pilgrim’s Progress is a literal adventure story with all kinds of twists and turns. But, there is a second level to the story. The symbolic story is the story of every Christian who tries to live a pure Christian life. We each have our own adventure of trials, temptations, and tribulations.

John was not a godly little boy or young man.

Review of The Secrets of Ancient Man

9/12/2017

Since we were studying Ancient History again in our home school, I thought I would do a little investigating on my own to find new stories and archaeological discoveries.

The title, The Secrets of Ancient Man, grabbed my attention and as I leafed through it, I was intrigued.

After finishing the easy-to-understand, beautifully illustrated book, I was grateful. I learned new information about the Bible, ancient history texts, and archaeology.

Not only was the book easy-to-read and understand, it was packed with beautiful illustrations, charts, and quotes.

I was so excited as I read through it and just had to tell you about The Secrets of Ancient Man.

Let me share a little bit from the book to whet your appetite.

Review of The Hidden Art of Homemaking

9/11/2017

"Hidden Art? What is hidden art?" I wondered as I glanced at the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Book Table. It was the 1980's and I was a college student, majoring in nursing. I didn't want to get married until I was REALLY old...like 30!

But, this book caught my eye. I had already read a few books by Francis Schaeffer, a Christian philosopher and this was his wife. I was curious to find out what she had to say about homemaking because I grew up wanting to be a homemaker when I finally settled down and got married.

A Book that Changed my Life

The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer is a book I have read many times since I first bought it in my college days. When I was single, it helped me to make my dorm room a home. In later years, this book inspired me to create a home for my family.

Over the years, I have read many books on homemaking, but this is my favorite! Edith Schaeffer is my heroine. She devoted her life to creating a home to nurture her husband, children, and all the people they ministered to in their chalet in Switzerland. From freshly baked bread to lovely music playing, Edith decorated her house carefully, filling it with art, laughter, beauty, and good books.

Why do I love this book so much?

Review of Hittite Warrior

9/11/2017

I could not put this book down.

This is a grand adventure set in Ancient Times where the Hittites were a powerful force to be reckoned with, Judges ruled in fledgling Israel, and the early Greeks, or Mycenaeans, were growing in power.

Now, I know it’s a book for kids, but it had me hooked from chapter one. Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson is a grand visit to the days of the Hittites, the Mycenaeans, the Philistines, and the Phoenicians.

And did I mention Israel during the times of the Judges (Deborah, Barak)?

The story begins in a Hittite village where Uriah Tarhund, the son of a horse breeder, lives. As the adventure beings, Egypt has a huge empire in the south and the Hittites rule the north.

The Canaanites carry on as merchants even when they are under and occupying enemy. But a new enemy is coming. The Mycenaeans (Ancient Greeks) from the West (Crete, Aegean Penisula, islands in the Mediterranean Sea) are expanding their power.

Review of Swiss Family Robinson

9/11/2017

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss is a wonderful family classic! What a marvelous role model for homeschooling families!

Our children love to hear this book read aloud. And we love reading it!

The adventure story begins with a couple and their four sons being the last aboard a ship that wrecks.

The family prays, puts their hope in God and with creativity and ingenuity escapes to a deserted island where they begin a new life of adventure and hard work in isolation for ten years. During this time they maintain habitual morning Bible reading and prayer, as well as family worship services on Sunday. (Hmmm—I don’t remember those scenes from the Disney movie version of the book—go figure!)

Would you like to learn more about this amazing family and exciting adventure novel?

They are able to rescue many valuable things from the ship. Then the family explores and “subdues” their island home: acquiring pets, cultivating the land, hunting, building summer and winter homes, inventing machines, creating all types of things, making improvements, building bridges, facing disappointments, and overcoming obstacles. As they go about their daily lives, every opportunity is taken to teach their sons about nature, animals, morals, and other educational aspects of life. The parents share a deep and committed love with one another. The wife is treated with honor and respect by her husband and sons.

Early on in their adventure the wise father tells one of his sons, “’I want to see my sons strong, both morally and physically,” said I. ‘That means, little Franz,’ as the large blue eyes looked up inquiringly at me, ;brave to do what is good and right, and to hate evil, and strong to work, hunt, and provide for themselves and others and to fight if necessary.’” (pg. 131 The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss)

Make Holiday Memories with Your Church Family

9/1/2017

Making memories together builds unity in a group. Remembering the members of your church on special days and helping to make them special gives them a sense of value and worth. God calls His Church a family. Families celebrate special times together.

Here are some ideas to make special days special.

Birthdays:

Call and sing "Happy Birthday" over the phone for a church friend’s birthday.
Gather birthdates of all church members and remember each person's birthday with a card, note, or postcard.
Let small groups celebrate all the birthdays from that month in one of the group meetings. Have a birthday cake with everyone's name on it. Pray over the birthday people. Thank the Lord for them and ask for God's blessings on their lives over the coming year.

Anniversaries: