 "Molly Reading a Book" Rose Mead (see also Best Books) “…the sort of thing we are looking for––the sudden keen, insatiate delight in a book which means kinship….” * “Not only are morals and manners taught, but our enthusiasms, even our religion, are kindled by fiction, whether in prose or verse. Our Lord Himself gave some of his deepest teaching in the fabulous stories known to us as parables;” * “But we want a wider range of knowledge than the life about us affords, and books are our best teachers.” * "’Studies serve for delight’; this delight being not in the lessons or the personality of the teacher, but purely in their 'lovely books,' 'glorious books.' * “…the only vital method of education appears to be that children should read worthy books, many worthy books.” * “As for literature––to introduce children to literature is to install them in a very rich and glorious kingdom, to bring a continual holiday to their doors, to lay before them a feast exquisitely served.” * “But she (the teacher) will bear in mind that the child of six has begun the serious business of his education, that it does not matter much whether he understands this word or that, but that it matters a great deal that he should learn to deal directly with books.” * “I do not know better how to describe the sort of books that children's minds will consent to deal with than by saying that they must be literary in character.” Examen: Are books my “kin?” ~~~~~~~ ...the sort of thing: Charlotte M. Mason, School Education, 3:196. Not only are: Charlotte M. Mason, Ourselves, 4:161 Bk.I. But we want: 4:9 Bk.II. Studies serve for: Towards a Philosophy of Education, 6:7. ...the only vital: 6:12. As for literature: 6:51. But she will: 6:172. I do not know: 6:248. Day 20 Books-living with meditation/100 Days copyright Laurie Bestvater 2025
0 Comments
 Arthur Rackham ~ Arabella Stuart amongst the books 1915 “In their power of giving impulse and stirring emotion is another use of books, the right books; but that is just the question––which are the right books? ––a point upon which I should not wish to play Sir Oracle. The 'hundred best books for the schoolroom' may be put down on a list, but not by me. I venture to propose one or two principles in the matter of schoolbooks, and shall leave the far more difficult part, the application of those principles, to the reader.…Again, as I have already said, ideas must reach us directly from the mind of the thinker, and it is chiefly by means of the books they have written that we get into touch with the best minds.” * “Children have a right to the best we possess; therefore, their lesson books should be, as far as possible, our best books.” * “Our business is to give him mind-stuff, and both quality and quantity are essential. Naturally, each of us possesses this mind-stuff only in limited measure, but we know where to procure it; for the best thought the world possesses is stored in books; we must open books to children, the best books; our own concern is abundant provision and orderly serving.” * “But they must learn to know literature by being familiar with it from the very first. A child's intercourse must always be with good books, the best that we can find.” * “We must put into their hands the sources which we must needs use for ourselves, the best books of the best writers.” * “… by affording all the best books containing all the sorts of knowledge….” * “…we are looking not for ‘ends’ but for ‘sources.’” ~ Parker Palmer Examen: “Why must children read the best books?” Do I know how to tell “a right book?” Am I putting children in touch with “the best minds?” ~~~~~~~ In their power: Charlotte Mason, School Education, 3:177. Children have a right: Charlotte Mason, Towards a Philosophy of Education, 6:19. Our business is: 6:26. But they must: 6:51. We must put: 6:76. ...by affording all: 6:348. ...we are looking: Parker J. Palmer, To Know as We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey, Reprint edition (San Francisco: HarperOne, 1993), Preface. Why must children: Charlotte Mason, Parents & Children 2:307. Day 15 Best Books meditation/100 Days copyright Laurie Bestvater 2025 |
"Thus, I propose that the middle of February remind CM admirers
|
