You will open this book with anticipation, longing and intrigue. I am now going to find out how to educate my children to be academic and pursue a great education as adults. And then you finish thinking, ok so is there a second book? Have I missed something? Where was the education part? And so I pondered this for a while, a little disappointed by the book and then it dawned on me, Sally did not do anything, she had no curriculum, no formula, no tests, no schedule, do this at 9am and this at 9.15 and this at 9.30 etc etc. And that is exactly what she is trying to convey! So by looking at this book as a step by step guide you will come away with nothing, Sally is opening our eyes to a different way, the Clarkson way. A way where children are viewed as “born persons” (Charlotte Mason) and because we are so conditioned to believe that education is sitting at a desk for a set amount of time each day, learning a list of facts and writing tests on what facts we managed to keep in our brains, we miss what her message is.
This is a great book, Awaking you to the Wonder of education that does not look at all like education. The Clarkson’s goal in education was never to get a good college degree, it feels like that was just something that happened along the way. Their goal was learning for life, to never stop being interested in new things and the beauty of the world around them and above all to love God. The Clarkson way has produced life learners and people who love and follow God, they have succeeded but it is not finished because the goal was for life learners not just to get through college. That is the mindset we have to change and once we get that right we will understand the Clarkson education. We cannot think inside the box, Sally has shown us that there is another way and that way can be successful.
I hope that you enjoy this book and walk away with renewed ideas on what education could look like for your children who were “born persons”.
Well done Clarksons

I adore Sally Clarkson and was thrilled to read her new book, Awakening Wonder. It is another masterpiece. It is full of timeless wisdom and advice to awaken wonder within our own hearts as well as the hearts and lives of our children. This is a fantastic resource I will return to again and again.

This is a true example of a success story. Sally has introduced us into a world, not of grades or scores, but a world of kindness, music, great books and more. From the start it is clear that educational philosophy is key, and big discussions is also important, rather than drilling your children to get top grades. This educational book is so much different than other success books, and it delves into the encouragement you give to your lovely children. The author clearly states the reason for her children's love of life and later success wasn't because they were hard-core drilled, but because their childhood was filled with great things and positive reinforcement. Thank you Sally for this great book! Lastly, I would also like to thank NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!

With so many families facing the uncertainty of education plans in the age of Covid-19, the release of Awaking Wonder seems providential. Sally Clarkson offers the wisdom and experience she acquired over the years she raised and educated her four children, all of whom have carried a strong faith and love of learning into their adulthood as they each excel in the field of their choosing. This book presents a philosophy of education, whole hearted learning, that addresses the deep desire in each one of us to know that our lives matter and have purpose. Instead of focusing on test scores, grades, and set curriculum she pictured her children’s hearts “as treasure chests where they could gather stories, ideas, ideals, habits, appetites, truth, and knowledge to draw from the rest of their lives...” She did this by filling her home with great books, art, and music, by reading aloud and discussing big ideas, by exploring different cultures, feasting together, spending time in nature, and believing forward into the lives of her children while helping them imagine their lives as a story to tell. As a mom right in the middle of raising four children, this book is such an encouragement and inspiration to me and one that I will go back to again and again!