My Top 15 Homeschooling Books for Parents

I have a confession to make...I am a bit of a bibliophile. I love love love books. I currently have 5 books on my nightstand that I am reading. Mostly, they are non-fiction but I generally have one fiction on the go as well (I am open to fiction suggestions at the moment please!). Even now, after 18 years of home educating I still love to read homeschooling books. They provide inspiration for me and I love to see how others homeschool.

So, what are my favourites you ask? Well, I am more than happy to share...

What Books Are On My Bookshelf?

Here are a selection of my favourite homeschooling books. Ten of them are on my bookshelf (or my kindle) and five are on my wishlist.

In no particular order;

1. Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson: Sally Clarkson is one of the pioneering mums of the homeschooling movement. She is a wealth of knowledge on many parenting topics as well. This book encourages children to appreciate the beauty of our world. This book is a guide for parents on how to inspire a love of learning in their children by creating a nurturing, wonder-filled environment. Clarkson emphasizes the importance of curiosity, creativity, and meaningful relationships in fostering a lifelong passion for knowledge.

2. Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie: Sarah Mackenzie's specialty is encouraging mums to read aloud to their children. In this book, Mackenzie offers practical advice and encouragement for homeschooling parents to find peace and balance in their educational journey. Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships and trusting in the process, rather than striving for perfection and over-scheduling.

3. The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning and Life by Julie Bogart: I love Julie Bogart's approach to homeschooling. She has a certain child-directed flavour to her encouragement of homeschool mums which is something close to my heart. In this book, Bogart provides practical strategies and inspiration for creating a joyful and effective homeschooling experience. Bogart encourages parents to embrace a playful and flexible approach to education, fostering curiosity and wonder in their children’s daily learning.

4. The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie: Can you guess that I love Sarah Mackenzie? This is her second book on my list. "The Read-Aloud Family" highlights the transformative power of reading aloud to children, emphasizing how it strengthens family bonds and nurtures a lifelong love of books. Mackenzie offers practical tips and book recommendations to help parents create meaningful reading experiences and foster a culture of literacy in their homes.

5. The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise: "The Well-Trained Mind" by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise is a comprehensive guide to classical education, detailing how to provide a rigorous, thorough education at home from kindergarten through high school. The book offers step-by-step instructions, resources, and schedules to help parents teach their children using the classical method, focusing on the development of critical thinking and a deep understanding of traditional subjects. I don't follow it exactly, but love to refer to it at the beginning of the school year for inspiration and ideas.

6. Give Your Child the World by Jamie C. Martin: "Give Your Child the World" by Jamie C. Martin is a guide for parents to inspire a global perspective in their children through books. Martin provides curated reading lists and activities that introduce young readers to diverse cultures and stories from around the world, fostering empathy and a broader understanding of the world. I love my children to learn by reading books, it puts them in a time and place which is so much more meaningful than reading textbooks.

7. Know and Tell: The Art of Narration by Karen Glass: Karen Glass explores the educational technique of narration, emphasizing its effectiveness in developing comprehension and communication skills. Glass provides practical guidance on how to implement narration in homeschooling, drawing on Charlotte Mason's methods to help students articulate their knowledge clearly and confidently. If you love the Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling then this book is essential reading.

8. How Children Learn by John Holt: "How Children Learn" by John Holt delves into the natural ways children acquire knowledge and skills, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and self-directed learning. Holt advocates for a supportive learning environment that respects children's interests and intrinsic motivation, challenging traditional educational methods. Holt also has written other books which are just as insightful and well worth a read.

9. For the Love of Literature by Maureen Whittmann: Maureen Whittmann's book is a resource guide for incorporating quality literature into homeschooling, offering book recommendations across various subjects and grade levels. Whittmann provides strategies for using literature to enhance learning and instill a lifelong love of reading in children. I often refer to this when I want to add to my over-full bookshelves!

10. Caught Up in a Story by Sarah Clarkson: yes, this is Sally Clarkson's daughter. Sarah Clarkson explores the power of stories to shape children's imaginations, character, and worldview. Clarkson provides insights and practical advice on selecting and using literature to inspire and nurture a love of reading and storytelling in children.

Homeschool Books on My Wishlist

1. The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming the Wonder in Your Child's Education, A New Way to Homeschool by  Ainsley Arment

2. Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child with Confidence by  Jamie Erickson 

3. Mere Motherhood: Morning Times, Nursery Rhymes, & My Journey Toward Sanctification by Cindy Rollins

4. Gather: Exploring the Wonder, Wisdom and Worship of Learning at Home  by Pam Barnhill

5. The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by  Meghan Cox Gurdon

So there you have it, my top 15 books for homeschool parents. All of my favourites. I apologise if you now have too many books in your Amazon cart #sorrynotsorry.

If you happen to buy any of the books on my wishlist, I'd love to hear what you thought of them. Please also let me know in the comments if there are any other awesome homeschooling books out there that I haven't mentioned!