Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child’s Heart to the Beauty of Learning
By Sally Clarkson
Reviewed by Ashley Davis
Sally Clarkson’s Awaking Wonder is a part parenting, part home-educating, part homemaking book focused on the means and opportunities for bolstering a child’s natural sense of wonder in all things. Its content is more academic and philosophical than your average homeschool parenting book. It lives in a crossroads between being guidance from an experienced mother and simply being the memoir of a unique, idealistic, wonder-filled family.
The first half of this book is largely foundational as Sally spends these chapters building her philosophy of making a wonder-filled life. In these chapters, she gives the “why” behind the book, introduces the reader to her children, and encourages mothers to be a worthy mentor in their children’s lives. The next several chapters provide inspiration and information about developing a child’s faith, mind, and character. The final chapters give readers ideas about how to expose children to cultural experiences, incorporate an atmosphere of wonder into the home, and develop wonderful rhythms, routines, and rituals into daily life. The final chapter concludes with a call to continue upon a road of wonder by means of life-long learning.
I think it would be helpful to note that this book is written in a dramatically different style than our last two recommendations for homeschooling mothers. To most, the language will likely read as far more academic. A handful of times throughout the book, Sally Clarkson stresses that Awaking Wonder is simply her family’s journey; it’s not intended to be replicated in its entirety. But she consistently uses superlative language that gives readers the impression that her family’s wonder-filled, idealistic life was certainly the best way – which for her family, it seems like it was! She has four adult children working successfully and all serving God with their unique talents and abilities. Sally isn’t harsh, but for some who may find the “this way is the best way and you must do it” grating, just prepare and remind yourself that this book is designed to be part memoir and is the Clarkson family story.
Let’s get an idea of the style and wonder-inspiring language from this book.
Here are some quotes I liked from Awaking Wonder:
“Wonder was already sown deeply into our psyches by the One who had made us” (13).
“Relax! Finding the perfect education model is a phantom worry that often hovers over the fearful consciences of parents who choose to teach” (118).
“Instead of spoon feeding each child by being the lecturer-teacher, I sought to develop them into treasure seekers, using their own imaginations to research and find interesting” (121).
“What defines you and your family? Your answer will be different from ours. But you have the freedom to create a home life that suits your family and that cooperates with your personality and skills. Decide to embrace who you are and don’t try to be someone else. Just commit, work, grow, and trust” (178).
“Learning should not be measured by twelve years of school. A love for learning is ignited to burn for a lifetime” (207).
“In a world rampant with secularism and philosophies that negate belief in God, life requires that those of us who live by our belief in God must be focused and intentional in passing on wisdom, reality, foundations, truth, and purpose to our children” (208).
Audience:
Mothers, homeschooling or interested in developing the innate wonderment in their children.
Usefulness Rating:
Compared to the other two homeschool books we’ve recommended, this book was high on inspiration and not as high on practical tips and tricks.
Entertainment Value:
As far as entertainment, this book had more warm and fuzzy scenes and content that laugh out loud, face-palm moments that typify standard homeschool mom books.
Good For Groups:
This book isn’t designed for groups.
For more information about this book or other reading suggestions, feel free to contact me directly.
