What a book! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

I am not a mother yet, but this book spoke to me deeply since I'm a middle school and high school teacher. It's motivating and inspiring, reminding us that every child has the capacity to learn and also the inherent desire to learn. Often the way we teach in schools (and I can testify to that) kills that desire in children, because they are forced to sit still for hours and hours and mostly listen to another person telling them stuff, they will only study for a test and then forget again. This was also my experience as a pupil and university student.

What we must do instead, according to Clarkson, is to awaken wonder in a child's heart, inspire their hearts and souls by the magnificence of nature, art and worthy literature. We must set before them examples of greatness and kindness and use our influence, especially as parents, so that children can grow up as whole people with whole and full hearts. So often we miss the potential in children, because nobody takes the time and care to unearth it. I especially love her focus on the arts in this and again in my own experience growing up it was mostly good books and stories (and the influence of my parents) that filled my heart and taught me how to think and inspired in me the values I hold onto today.

Though this book is more of an overview and I would say an entry to the topic, it offers some good and practial advice such as incorporating reading, routines and quiet times to get your thoughts and ideas going. But educating children will always be an individual thing too since all children are different and will need different handling. Clarkson is very well balanced I think and stresses the importance of taking enough time for yourself as a homeschooling mom in order to rest and recharge.

The most important advice though is to let your children understand that they are created for a purpose and that they are deeply loved and cherished by God. It will be their guiding light throughout their lives.

I thank Netgalley and Bethany House for an ARC to read and review.

An interesting book offering a conversation about awaking wonder in our children.

Anyone with children or who spend time around children will note that children are wonder-filled little creatures! Awaking Wonder is a help towards helping parents and others see how to help our little people fill their lives with wonder, to fill their imaginations.

Like many parents, I’ve had lots of anxiety about the upcoming school year, which will be a combo of online and homeschool for us. This book was exactly what I needed to give me the confidence that I could successfully teach my kids. It gives so many practical ideas and encouragement that don’t involve technology or fancy, expensive curriculums. This books was such a gift and so affirming that my kids didn't need "more," they just needed to be able to learn in the ways that were best for them and supported loving learning, not just getting good grades.

I have loved Sally Clarkson since the day I read the first chapter of The Mission of Motherhood. I was in the weeds and trenches of raising 4 children under the age of 7--including one newborn and one with specials needs. I was a wreck. And that opening chapter allowed me to feel seen and heard and normal. She understood me. I remember crying on pages of that book, so grateful.
Well, I'm not in the weeds of the same season of motherhood. Now I have young teens and young elementary kids, all of whom I am homeschooling. Thus my immediate reaction to pick up this book. Because, while it's not exclusively geared toward home educators, I knew it would help me to again feel seen, heard and normal.
This is Clarkson's gift.
Now I am not of the belief that every single person should homeschool. But I also do not believe that every child learns the same way...thus my reasoning for homeschooling. My four children all learn different ways at different paces, and love different subjects for differing reasons. However, toward the beginning of this book, even I felt like she was trying to sway my belief system toward homeschooling.
While I don't believe that was the author's intention whatsoever, I can see how readers who do not currently homeschool could feel judged or inadequate while reading the author's own convictions. Even I felt a little judged and a lot inadequate reading through portions of the book.
BUT....
And here is the part that I loved...
She does express that on the page, everything sounds so much easier and she clarifies that even her experience was not without feelings of inadequacy or disturbances from her children.
I loved that she discusses the importance of each family finding their own rhythm and their own "curriculum" for learning. Not just following hers. In fact, she refuses to answer the question she is often posed with what curriculum they used, because she acknowledges that the entire point of the educating the wholehearted child and home education is to do what is best for your child and your family.
Along with that, though, she gives many examples of the schedule that they kept and the way they learned without using curriculum. Gah. I love how much emphasis she puts on reading and how much learning can be done---regardless of age or reading level---but reading together as a family. I love that she spent 30-90 minutes of their schooling time just reading aloud AND discussing the lessons and themes and passages of the book that was read.
As a writer and a mom of two children who enjoy writing, I love the quote from the book that says, "There is no curriculum that can make someone into a great writer if they have not filled their brains with great writing." Ugh. That is so true!
I could go on and on. I could express all of my favorite points and my favorite. But Clarkson says it so well when she says, "your personal story is where you need to live confidently." Ultimately, this is a pep talk that you--yes, you, Mom, Dad--can wholeheartedly educate your child if you put in the time and effort. And that IT IS WORTH IT. That is the question that every parent asks at the end of the day. Is it worth it? She goes to great length to express that it is. Very much. And that by doing the things that just because the Clarkson way of life, they not only raised children into successful adults, but also created relationship and friendships that are longstanding and long lasting. And that is ultimately my goal. So I continue to love Sally Clarkson. She continues to understand me and speak to the depths of my mothering soul.

In this book, homeschool education pioneer Sally Clarkson shares wisdom for parents who want to create a secure, wonder-filled home environment for their children. She emphasizes the importance of cultivating children's sense of wonder, and explains that even though many people have asked her to share her "secret," or have wanted her to tell them what school curriculum to buy, her homeschooling journey was driven by a philosophy, not a formula. She encourages parents to consider their situation and their family's needs to find solutiaons that work for them, and shares personal anecdotes to show how she fostered wonder for her children and helped them learn. Whether a parent is just starting out or is trying to maintain consistency over the long haul, Clarkson's perspective can help them take a deep breath, let go of impossible standards, and find what is best for their children.

Vision-Casting Hope

Even though this book focuses on homeschooling, Clarkson does not promote her education choice in a superior or exclusive way. She acknowledges from the very beginning that her core messages apply to parents who choose other educational methods, and shares general parenting advice and encouragement that applies regardless of someone's family situation or schooling approach. She shares lots of advice for how parents can deal with their own frustrations and fears of inadequacy, and encourages them to pursue their child's development in a holistic way, instead of emphasizing legalistic rules or rote learning. Interwoven with these points are stories about her own children, and even though she makes it clear that she does not have a magical formula to offer, and that her children are still Christians because of God, not her, she is able to encourage parents to not give up.

Clarkson's Christian faith comes through clearly throughout the entire book, and some chapters specifically address children's spiritual lives and Christian moral development. However, even though she has primarily targeted this book towards her following among Christians, parents who do not share her worldview can still benefit from this book's emphasis on creating engaging, loving, and wonder-filled home and educational environments. Clarkson shares reflections and stories from her adult children about what they found meaningful about their home life, and this retrospective view can encourage parents who despair of ever measuring up to their own standards or cultural views of success. I would encourage parents to consider this resource regardless of religious affiliation, because anyone can appreciate Clarkson's core emphases, even when they do not share all of her values.

Meaningful Encouragement

This is a great book for people who are just starting out with parenting or homeschooling, or who need a mentor's reminder that their sacrifices are worthwhile, that their children will be okay, and that it is possible for them to succeed even when everything feels like a muddle in the moment. This book may be less practical than some readers would expect or desire, since only some of the sections deal with advice for specific homeschooling methods and educational approaches, but "Awaking Wonder" captures Sally Clarkson's parenting philosophies in an encouraging way, helping other parents see that they can do this too.

This is a great book for parents who want to foster a sense of wonder for their children, and who want to clarify their vision for the home environment that they want to create. Clarkson writes with sensitivity to people's different backgrounds, and because her educational philosophy goes against a one-size-fits-all approach, this is a great option for parents who feel burned out on narrowly applicable advice and need a joyful reminder of why they chose to homeschool in the first place, or what they love most about raising their children.

I think I own just about every book Sally Clarkson, as well as her family, has written. In "Awaking Wonder," Sally continues to encourage parents to not set down your ideals just because no one else around you might have them. They are worth fighting for, even when you feel ill-equipped and exhausted. She's honest, inspirational and her guidance is doable.

A fun, but useful encouragement to all parents, teachers and others about how to enhance and upgrade your child's learning environment. It is chock-full of comforting traditions, ideas for adventures for the entire family and creating a warm and loving learning environment for children to challenge their minds through directed learning as well as outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, discipleship, family time, reading, travel and learning how the education component applies to cooking, decorating, mechanical, scientific. It creates a well-rounded child with a warm, loving, positive, encouraging, yet challenging life off learning through direct educational activities and taking those activities into real life. It is a call to action, an encouragement with a big warm hug from Sally and Clay Clarkson. It is a must-read!

Just finished this. Every single word spoke to my heart... this should be required reading for Christian parents ♥️

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC!

I have read books by Sally Clarkson that have had a great impact on my life. I have even hung up quotes from her books so that I could see them regularly. For me, personally, this was not one of those books. It seemed like it needed more organization and some wordiness removed. I agree with her that communicating our love for our children is a daily goal. Sharing faith and awakening wonder are also important in a Christian homeschool philosophy. Yet, I disagree with her bias that a parent must homeschool in order to sustain wonder. I think you can create a home environment that encourages curiosity even if you send your child to public school. A lot of the statements made about public school are based on her experiences from a long time ago; now public schools are much more focused on project based learning, discussion, and collaboration. Teachers work very hard to engage students in public and private schools. Sure, there are times students will be bored in a traditional school setting, but that does not necessarily mean your child will lose "wonder." Not all women will be called to homeschool their children. Yet, as the pandemic has spurred many of us to homeschool (which is different from distance learning), this book might inspire people who are starting the journey. I am the type of person who wants more practical tips than a broad, general philosophy. I agree with most of her philosophy, but I just felt like what I was looking for was practical tips (which she mentions that she does cover in another book she has already written). Although this book wasn't my favorite, I still have a great deal of admiration and respect for the author.

Love this book! I have often said that I want to instill in my children a love of learning and a sense of wonder, so I very much appreciated this book. It got me thinking on what my parents did for me and my siblings.

As I've embarked on our first year of homeschooling, Awaking Wonder was a breath of fresh air. While the book wasn't quite as prescriptive as I expected it to be, I thoroughly enjoyed that Clarkson gives freedom to pair the idea of awaking wonder in our children with rhythms and routines that work for each individual family. Awaking Wonder is a beautiful reminder to stop and take in the moments around us. To encourage our children to explore their own ideas and interests. And to engage their brains in so many ways.

In Awaking Wonder, Sally Clarkson does a great job of taking the reader on a journey to find ways to awake wonder in their children.

Throughout the book, Clarkson tells many personal illustrations which is wonderful because you know she is a vetted mom who has been there, done that, and come out on the other side.

A lot of the ideas in the book are original and inspiring, and it is refreshing to see the many reflections back on God and the impact He has on our children’s lives.

Sally Clarkson's latest book, Awakening Wonder, deals with inspiring your children toward unlocking the beauty in learning. She shares her personal experiences as a homeschooler in a deeply vulnerable way, sharing both the triumphs and the areas where she sometimes fell short. Clarkson says she hopes that this book will be a help to all parents, but as a homeschooling mom, I will attest that it is sometimes hard to separate the two roles and this book comes off as directed more toward homeschoolers. Still there is a lot to be gleaned from this book, including:

*"What we need to do is provide them (children) with excellent food for thought as well as superior resources, giving them personal attention, asking questions, letting them ask questions, and providing lots of interactive time."

*"Capturing their (children's) heart with an imagination of why character is important is our goal. one who has grasped a vision for why character matters will be much more likely to pursue what is right than one who is just living by an arbitrary rule."

*"Stick close to your teens; tell them how much you like them and try to mean it. They will soon be entering an adult world filled with challenges, temptations, loneliness, work to master, and adult responsibility."

I have so many notes from this book; it would be impossible to include all of them. Starting homeschool this fall has been a daunting task considering all that's happening in the world. But I found Clarkson's book to be challenging and encouraging. Her writing style feels like speaking with a gentle mentor and my biggest takeaway was a quiet reminder that parenting and homeschooling is a reflection of my own heart. And it requires growth on my part in order to raise healthy, strong children. For the homeschool mom needing an encouraging read, Awakening Wonder should be on your to read list.

*Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Sally Clarkson has been on my radar for several years as a prominent voice in Christian homeschooling/homemaking circles. For context, I am a progressive Christian mom who has never had any desire to homeschool my children, but when this book came up "read now" on NetGalley, I thought I'd check out what she had to say.

I really disliked this book for a number of reasons. Not only was it poorly structured and edited, Clarkson's message comes off as sanctimonious and judgmental toward families who don't homeschool (even though she briefly says toward the beginning that any parent would be able to glean something from this book). Throughout the book, she repeatedly demonizes "secularism" and traditional public education. The message I got is that to be a good Christian parent, you have to homeschool your kids, which I find incredibly toxic and unbiblical. She also describes a very privileged family situation without acknowledging how impossible their lifestyle would be for many families.

This book gets a big old NO from me. If I weren't reviewing it for NetGalley, I would not have finished it, and I won't be reading any of Clarkson's other works.

“A child fashioned by a wonder-filled life will cultivate inner strength, a confidence in his own ability
to think, evaluate, and know. But those who influence children must fight to protect time for the imagination
to have space to work, to have time to engage.”
― Sally Clarkson, Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child’s Heart to the Beauty of Learning

Awaking Wonder: Opening Your Child’s Heart to the Beauty of Learning by Sally Clarkson is a new book for parents. I have read most of Sally Clarkson’s books and enjoy her podcast. This book was well written and the author shared from her own experiences as a mother. This book says it is for any parent, but felt more like a book for parents that homeschool. As a previous homeschool parent, I would have enjoyed this book a lot more a few years ago when our family was homeschooling. I did find it encouraging and as a resource for promoting a love of learning into my household. I would highly recommend this book for parents and especially those that homeschool. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for this review copy.

Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson was really a timely read. I've been homeschooling for seven years and this year the thought of getting back to it was honestly a little daunting. I started reading Awaking Wonder and really felt a sense of peace...maybe not peace, but something that stirred by soul. It was a wake up. A wake up for me. This has really been a tough year...I've lost my own wonder. How can I open the eyes to my children's wonder if I'm over here without it. I don't just want to wake up my children's heart, but also my own.

I would say my takeaway is less about my children and more about me. To awaken wonder in my children I take my faith and passion for Christ and mix it with my desire and passion for educating my children. Sally gave some wonderful and practical ideas. This was really an inspiring book for homeschool parents.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this book. Our culture is always giving a list of demands in regards to schooling. This is a pause and beautiful reminder of how God designed children (and all of us) to see him as we spark wonder within. These words are an invitation to connect with the world and each other in gentle ways that truly matter. I highly encourage you to read it for your children and for yourself.

Awaking Wonder contains both creative solutions and winsome encouragement for parents who wish to inspire their children to be lifelong lovers of learning.

This book could not be more timely, no matter the season of education in which you find yourself. Even with five years of homeschooling behind me, I feel artfully mentored and newly energized to offer my children the beauty of learning with Awaking Wonder as my guide!

I absolutely loved this latest book by Sally Clarkson. Her wisdom on learning, educating and raising her family is so refreshing to read and encourages me as a homeschooling mom. Awaking Wonder has a way to inspire and stir up creativity in the reader. Sally’s willingness to share her methods and dive in to how they functioned as a family is a tremendous help to home educators and parents alike. I would highly recommend this book to the parents I know and especially to those wanting to home educate their children. This will be one that I reread before beginning each homeschool year, of that I’m sure.

Every time I read a Sally Clarkson book, I'm reminded that I want to read everything she's ever written. During this very unsettled time in the education of children, Sally reminds us to focus on the things that really matter - developing our children's faith and their love of learning. The lifestyle of the Clarkson home can sometimes sound impossible to achieve, but then Sally reminds us that the reality isn't so polished - dirty dishes, sibling squabbles, mess and noise are all part of every home. Discouragement is a normal part of motherhood, but the end result is worth the effort. Sally provides the practical and the reality in this beautiful book.