Picture Book Exploration: The Girl Who Named Pluto
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Space has long been the last frontier, but who would have thought that a little English school girl, in the early 1920s, would be one of its chief explorers? Venetia Burney, born on July 11th, 1918, named a new planet that had just been discovered, at the age of 11. And that was enough to make her famous for generations to come. Let’s discover this charming little girl, her story and how she came to be a planet’s nomenclator.
The Girl Who Named Pluto: The Story of Venetia Burney by Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by Elizabeth Aidle
This picture book was a delight to read! It is a wonderful living book with all the right igniters for wonder and imagination. Plus some wonderful ticklers for the Charlotte Mason minded educator. It is well written, inviting and leaves some delicious details up to the imagination. The illustrations in their muted tones are absolutely delightful and create a wonderful spacey and old fashion mood.
Venetia Burney herself
What I love most about this picture book is that Venetia was your everyday British school girl. She didn’t do anything extraordinary with her life, she just lived her life. One thing that stood her apart though was her education. Growing up in a cultured household she was immediately able to make connections between the mythological names of the other planets and suggest a name for the new one. She did it naturally, it was not forced, it was probably a little impulsive but it was so dead on that world renowned scientists listened to her. To me, this is the epitome of a living book education and of family culture. We know that her teacher was a Charlotte Mason trained teacher and had done great work igniting in her pupils a sense of wonder, curiosity and delight in learning. And it shined through Venetia Burney.
A Charlotte Mason education
Anyone who has been around this blog for a hot minute will guess that I could not skip geeking out. More than the story itself, more than the beauty of the picture book, what impacted me the most is this article from Parents’ Union School Diamond Jubilee Magazine. To me, this article is the absolute confirmation of what I have endeavored to accomplish in my own home education. It testifies to the beauty, breadth and wisdom of a Charlotte Mason education. Its hands-on approach, its ability to ignite our imagination, not to escape into other worlds, but to solve today’s riddles is undeniable. Equipped with such an education children can succeed anywhere, in any situation. They are equipped to be active participants in their life, society and world, not passive onlookers. They will be able to embrace living life to the fullest. See Charlotte Mason resources below.
Mythology
very long time and we always enjoy re-reading them. Mythology has a strong appeal due to its ability to explain the ancient worlds that would be so hard to understand otherwise. Reading myths explains so much about a culture, what it believed, cherished and strived for. They are a little bit of a secret map into ancient worlds. Myths are a testimony to mankind’s ability to explain the unexplainable, to imagine what is behind the curtains. Until the dawn of christianity, other than for the Hebrews, humanity tried to answer the unanswerable through stories.
The importance of stories
Myths, as stories, have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. Not in writing but orally. The importance of storytelling is as ancient as the world itself. Storytelling has been the main vehicle to pass down the wisdom of the ages. It is what has helped us make sense of the world around us. Storytelling, orally and from books, is the cornerstone of our humanity upon which our character, virtues and life are built. Without storytelling there can be no humanity, no ability to emphasize with others, no ability to put yourself in one’s place. Myths are important to pass down the stories of the Ancients but also to grow ourselves. So let’s read to ourselves and to our children.
Afire with learning
Oh my stars! I told you I loved this book! Venetia’s family was “afire with learning”. I want to be afire with learning (and let’s be honest, I am. Right now I am in a deep rabbit trail about Nature Journaling, again…). But I also want my children to be afire with learning. Spreading out a feast in front of them, making materials available and putting experiences within their reach is the best way I can stoke their fire. The family culture is the strongest engine to enkindle a love of learning. If books are readily available, if crafting supplies are within reach, learning can take place anytime, anywhere. The world is our oyster, but it all starts within the home. My home is where the budding explorer is nurtured and encouraged to ask questions and to explore different outcomes. It is the safe place where all exploration and questioning is encouraged.
Creating a learning home
This should be an entire post all of its own but how do I create a home where the love of learning is fostered and encouraged? There are so many ways to do this, but the most basic is to give my children freedom of exploration. Making available to them a backyard, a bookshelf, a nook where paints and paper are readily available, are all ways we can encourage their love of learning. All children are born with a love of learning; hint: the “why?” phase. It is my duty as a parent to encourage and nurture this love through the environment and atmosphere of our home. A new school year is around the corner, what a wonderful time to transform our homes into havens of learning.
Cookies!
I found this recipe for planet cookies to be so inspiring and a wonderful learning tool! Not only does it give measurements to scale the cookies appropriately but there is lots of fun in decorating them appropriately. What a delicious solar system! It might not be a space walk, but just like it, it will anchor the solar system in our minds. We have been playing with food coloring pens lately and that might be a fun alternative to icing. Isn’t it amazing how much the human mind can expand and the many ways we can learn? Today is a day where I can say that I truly love my responsibility as a home educator! Days like today where a single book can open so many doors for my children is why I chose to home educate. This is where the magic happens.
So celebrate Venetia Burney’s birthday in style, enjoy every bit of it! From storytelling to cookie decorating, let’s make it a family affair and one of this summer’s most treasured memory.
Love,
Mattie
Charlotte Mason’s Home Education Series:
- Home Education, Charlotte Mason
- School Education, Charlotte Mason
- Formation of Character, Charlotte Mason
- Parents and Children, Charlotte Mason
- Ourselves, Charlotte Mason
- A Philosophy of Education, Charlotte Mason
