Author Archives: Barbara Frank

Giveaway! Shovelhorns and Black Bruin

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Our new book, Shovelhorns and Black Bruin, is selling like hotcakes! I think more and more parents are realizing that the classic books are the best; these novels by Clarence Hawkes (circa 1908-9) are definitely classics. With two classic novels in one book, it’s also a great deal.

To celebrate, we’re giving away a hot-off-the-press copy to a lucky winner, and it could be you! Just leave a comment here answering this question:

How do your children benefit from reading classic books?

By commenting, you’ll be automatically entered in the drawing for this giveaway. Deadline for entries is midnight, August 19, 2010. Don’t miss out: comment now!

8-20-10 Please note: contest is now closed.

Women Who Had It All

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Twenty years ago, British journalist Valerie Grove decided to interview women who “had it all” for at least 25 years. She defined having it all as:

“…they had to have been married for more than 25 years and have had three or more children, as well as a brilliant career.”

She turned her findings into a book, The Compleat Woman: Marriage, Motherhood, Career – Can She Have It All? Her conclusion was that it was very rare for a woman to be able to successfully juggle a husband, children and successful career.

Now, a British newspaper has marked the twentieth anniversary of the book’s publication by going back and interviewing some of the women whose lives were chronicled in it to see if they think it’s gotten any easier to “have it all.” The very interesting (and lengthy) article is worth reading, but if you’re pressed for time, I’d like to share a couple of key points these women now make, as they look back on their lives from the vantage point of old age. Continue reading →

New! Shovelhorns and Black Bruin

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We have a new book out just this week. And my husband painted the cover art! Learn more about this “new old” book below:

Do your boys enjoy reading? Do you have trouble finding books that catch their interest and are good for them to read? Then you’ll love Shovelhorns, the Biography of a Moose, and Black Bruin, the Biography of a Bear, two classic novels in one new book.

These two wildlife animal stories will captivate your boys. These aren’t namby-pamby tales but realistic adventures written by naturalist Clarence Hawkes in the early 1900’s: classic stories which boys will enjoy.

Best of all, you’ll get two of Clarence Hawkes’ wildlife adventures in one book. Readers of all ages will love these stories, but especially boys who enjoy the outdoors and stories that don’t hold back from telling about the life and death struggles that occur in the wild.

Shovelhorns, the Biography of a Moose, first published in 1909, is the story of a moose in the harsh woods of New Brunswick, Canada. Relive the life of this moose as he grows from a small calf to a great bull moose. Learn how his mother protects him from a fierce wolf pack. As he matures, he experiences his own adventures and battles, including his be­friend­ing by the son of a Northern hunting guide, and the inevitable time in his life when he must prove he is deserving of the title “King of the Wilderness.”

Following this story is another exciting adventure. Black Bruin, the Biography of a Bear, first published in 1908, is the story of a black bear in northern New York. You’ll be hooked from the start as you read the exciting circumstances of how Black Bruin becomes part of a young farmer’s family. This black bear from the wild desires freedom, and his strength and appetite bring him constant conflict. You’ll be enthralled reading the many trials Black Bruin faces as he strives to be “King of the Mountain.”

Clarence Hawkes’ storytelling will keep your boys (and you) turning the pages and wanting to read more of his wildlife adventures from this exciting era. Both stories are beautifully illustrated by Charles Copeland.

DOWNLOAD TWO FREE SAMPLES FROM THIS BOOK HERE: http://www.cardamompublishers.com/stories-for-boys.htm

Five Must-Have School Supplies for Homeschooling Parents: #5

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So far we’ve covered four school supplies every homeschooling parent should have:

Patience

Thick skin

Sense of humor

Creativity

The fifth must-have school supply is something you might not have thought of, but having it is what will carry you through the hard times, the frustrating times and the miserable times (yes, you will have bad times occasionally.) It is a sense of purpose.

Do you know why you’re homeschooling? Is it because you feel called to do it? Or perhaps you saw your child suffering in public school and you decided no one will ever hurt your child in a learning environment again?

Maybe you feel that it’s your duty as a parent, or a patriot (distrust of the liberal agenda in public schools is high these days). Or it’s possible you see homeschooling as the logical extension of parenting, because you realize that parenting doesn’t stop at age six, or four, or whatever the legal age for starting school is in your state.

The important thing is that you have a sense of purpose. Once in a while I run into someone who’s homeschooling because their spouse pressured them into it, or because their best friend is homeschooling and they decided on a whim to do it, too. Those are the people who end up putting their kids in school sooner or later.

A clear sense of purpose will keep you going even when the kids are cranky, and your mother tells you your stress level would shrink if you would just put those kids in school, and your husband complains that his feet are sticking to the kitchen floor, again. Homeschooling ain’t for wimps, but with a strong sense of purpose, you can keep going no matter what so that your children and you benefit from the many blessings of homeschooling.