A Child's History of the World

by Khara O on 2012-01-04
I love that this book has short, bite-sized, interesting chapters that deliver history to my children in memorable ways. We did not start at the beginning of the book as I do not agree with the first couple chapters. "Throwing the baby out with the bathwater," however, would be a terrible mistake. The rest of the text is fantastic. This history book is a true treasure and the author speaks directly to children, not a way that insults their intelligence, but in a way that inspires them to listen intently and truly learn.

by Jennifer W on 2012-01-02
I agree with many previous reviewers. We sent this one back. I want to teach my child the truth, not start conversations about what lies people teach. We have enough opportunities to talk about that outside of history lessons. Also, he will most likely read it by himself (he is an avid reader) and at 5 I don't want him reading anti-creation material alone. It's not just the blatant parts, it's the worldview that underlies the whole book. Surely there is a history book out there that teaches children from a creationist perspective!

by Teresa M on 2011-10-20
This is our first year using Sonlight and we're homeschooling my brother using Core W. Though I personally am not a Christian, my mother is Catholic and she wanted a curriculum with a more Christian worldview. Sonlight, though not perfect, helps us to achieve our goals. Though this book is much easier then I would've expected in a 7-8th grade curriculum, it makes a nice change from much more difficult books, such as Mara, Daughter of the Nile, and is one of the few books so far this school year that my brother doesn't complain about reading. (He's used to being able to slack off as he did in public school, while Sonlight actually challenges him.) Although the first three chapter that talk about prehistory isn't scheduled, I still felt that it was important to cover them, even if it was just so that we could talk about how different people view history. The book is concise, short, and well-informed. Though easy to read, the topics it discusses are not. However, the book presents them in a way that is easy to understand. All in all, 5 stars for a well-rounded book. Though in my personal opinion, it's much more Christian then I feel comfortable with. My mom however, is delighted with it.

by Renee P on 2011-10-15
I read the first three chapters by myself and put the book aside. Yes it teaches the Big Bang theory, but it also describes people as if they had no common sense; men drag potential wives off by the hair, they drink bowls of warm blood because they haven't discovered fire yet. it goes on and on. I was disgusted by this book, how can I trust this author with the rest of history if he doesn't even have the beginning straight? Next year we are going to be using the Mystery of History series for our History curriculum.

by Danielle R on 2011-08-10
I have read the reviews, yet still look forward to receiving this book. Has anyone ever thought that God created science? He gave us the will to think, and so everything we do or create in a sense comes from Him. In terms of the "big bang" - could it not be that God created the universe and He had that creation of the earth as scientists see it through a microscope? Who says that His "day" is what we know as 24 hrs today? When the earth was formed, He then began the next day of creation, and so on... "Time" and the "Calendar" were not created right away, so the 7 days of creation - no one really knows how long the Lord's day was. Especially as no one was around to witness it, and man wasn't created until the end. BUT - that is my view on it and I am a Christian that believes in the Bible and teach my children the same principles that these great countries (US and Canada) were founded on. There are some things we need to teach our children so they aren't shocked and taken advantage of in the real world when they get there. God created science... otherwise we wouldn't have it !!

by Heidi U on 2011-01-28
I am just finishing core 2 and we have loved this book. It does start wit hte big bang and so does just about every sceince show we watch on TV and even many cartoons. I enjoyed talking with my children about this topic. I am a firm 7 day creationist and love the conversations that I can have with my children about a Biblical world view and challenging things that are read in books. I have learned a ton. I don't understand who people cannot read a book because it has something or even many with which they disagree. What great training for the world we live it. I treasure these world view talks with my small children. My 9 year ol;d has insight into many issues from this and many other SL books! Thanks for including it!

by Irene J on 2011-01-23
I think this book is wonderful! I love the cohesive view of history that does include reference to God's hand. I am puzzled, though, by parents who want to "trash" this book because it doesn't teach their view of "Christianity". ( I am a Creationist also) Why not use these small things that you don't agree with to teach your children to think? and to understand a little of these other views so your children are not blindsided by them when they get older? All three of my Sonlight homeschooled children are now in college and have been in secular science classes that teach evolution -- and they have been prepared for it! Our world needs Christian young poeple who love God and can think! Please don't bury their heads in the sand!

by Anna P on 2010-12-29
This book should be taken off. This is not a christian book. Teaches about the "big bang theory" and we people came from monkeys and doesn't say God created the world. It doesn't even mention God. I just throw this book away. I don't want this stuff in my home, defianity not reading this to my children.

by KARI C on 2010-10-28
Once again I find myself unhappy with another book in this "Christian" curriculum. The very first chapter talks about the Earth being formed after a spark flies off of the sun and cools down. Like Elizabeth T said, this is unacceptable. This will be our last year of homeschooling with Sonlight, this book was the last straw.

by DOROTHY W on 2010-10-15
I'm very disappointed in this book. The "big bang" theory set me off. I think what's wrong w/ society today as we continually leave Christ out our lives and substitute for the world view. They really need to remove this book from the list or get one that has a biblical perspective.