Leisurely Learning Through the Summer with A Daily Picture Book

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The June booklists are here! June and summer are just around the corner. Often it conjures thoughts of a care free life where book learning is left behind. And when you attend a traditional school that is still true in the sense that you no longer have to be present in the school building. But do we truly ever stop learning? I hope not! Learning is one of the most exciting things in life. There is so much to discover! It is like a constant treasure hunt!

A lifeline

Since the beginning we have homeschooled year round. This allows us to take longer breaks around Christmas and Easter and gives us the freedom to take breaks when illness or life make it too difficult to keep up with a regular routine. But even on break, we never stop learning. It is just a shift in our learning and in our routine. As I have mentioned before, A Daily Picture Book’s booklists have been a lifeline throughout our home education journey, in all seasons of the year as well as all seasons of life. We always have time to read one picture book a day. Actually, I don’t know when I have ever read only one…

Pursuing learning through the summer

In summer our routine looks very different than during the rest of the year. Mornings become our outdoor time as well as evenings but the middle of day is when everyone usually gathers back into the house to cool down. We enjoy lazy mornings when the coolness of the day allows for romping around the farm. And having grown up in a mediterranean culture, I understand the importance of a siesta during the heat of the day. That siesta becomes our new school routine. This is when we all gather and enjoy some read-aloud time. A Daily Picture Book’s booklists fit the bill perfectly.

A Daily Picture Book’s booklists

These subscription based booklists have been designed to deepen our knowledge of history, geography and the world around us. With each offered book title comes some exciting activity suggestions and a delicious recipe. This allows us to enhance our relationship with the picture book’s subject and discover new horizons in all areas of life. What I love most about this format is my ability to pick and choose which activity is best suited for my family during this season of our life. Oftentimes we have an active bee in our bonnet and these activities fit the bill to keep exploring our current rabbit trail. Other times they don’t but they will trigger an idea related to our rabbit trail, expanding our horizons.

The picture books

I pre-read every single picture book that made their way into the booklists. Following Charlotte Mason’s suggestion of what makes a living book I carefully hand pick the titles offered in the booklists. First and foremost each picture book is presented in story form, written by a single author who has a passion for his subject. The illustrations matter to me just as much as the text, because they can truly make or break a picture book. They have to be beautiful, but they can also be intriguing, whimsical or in a style that we are not accustomed to. Illustrations also open the door to new discoveries. For example, I was not sure I would like Melissa Sweet’s illustrations but over the years they have grown on me and triggered our deep dive into junk journaling! You never know what will excite wonder.

The activities

I try to keep all suggested activities in an open and shut format. These enrichment opportunities are to help you learn more about the background of an event or where a person fits in history. There are also hands-on suggestions to discover new and exciting worlds. There is always more scope for the imagination. But the activities are there to ignite a desire to go down unforeseen rabbit trails and discover something new or get reacquainted with an old friend. From videos to hands-on activities, all have been vetted and are here to help deepen the relationship with the picture book. The hands-on activities are usually simple. They come with tutorials, and require materials that you most likely already have in your home. If a hands-on activity requires something that you might not have at home, it is usually something that I am very excited about and that you will most likely use again and again.

The recipes

My in-home baker double checks each suggestion for its tastiness and her desire to make it, lol! Very strict guidelines! As much as I am able they are directly linked to the picture book. Either by being mentioned in the book or the recipe being an original from the person we are encountering. Others are from their home country, state or town. All have been chosen judiciously and, again, with the hope that all ingredients are on hand or easy to find. Sometimes I find fantastic recipes but reindeer tallow is not quite within everyone’s reach… It did look like a yummy Alaskan recipe though.

A summer routine

The June booklists are available today! Get ready for a gentle and simple summer routine with A Daily Picture Book’s booklists. Summer is for slowing down, no matter if you school year round or not. It is important to include leisure in our daily life. Summer has a special predisposition for slowing us down and enjoying a more gentle pace. So let’s enjoy a gentle education through the summer with lots of picture books, yummy treats and delightful activities.

May your summer be rejuvenating!
Love,
Mattie