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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.
No sooner had I read the words C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller than did my 14-year-old excitedly proclaim, "That one!" She had recently become enamored with some of C.S. Lewis' nonfiction writing and wanted to know more about the man behind the books she had been reading.
As soon as the book arrived, my daughter dove right in and barely came up for air. This is what she had to write when I asked for her review:
When my mother asked me if I'd like to review C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller by Janet & Geoff Benge, I automatically ensured her that I did. Remembering my past enjoyment of these books and considering my latest - what would you call it- obsession with C.S Lewis, I knew I wanted to read the book.
I did not know much about C.S. Lewis when I started the book. I do now.
The book follows the common theme of Christian Heroes: Then and Now books, which, is, of course, to make what could be a boring history of someone's life a compelling and informative story. This book in the series was so compelling, in fact, that I believe I read it in three days! I kept saying to myself and my poor mother, "just one more page.... last chapter for now...." and then proceeded to read the next and the next until I had finished the book.
I do not want to say much about what I learned about C.S. Lewis, because I do not want to ruin it for others, but I will share some random things:
- Did you know that C.S. Lewis' nickname was Jack? (I have a brother named Jack, so found this interesting.)
- Did you know he fought in the World Wars?
- How about that when he first married his life it was not because he loved her, but so that she would not have to go back to the United States?
I also learned more about some of the background of C.S. Lewis' writing.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about C.S. Lewis or to just read an interesting biography. I think it would be good for people eight and up.
As you can see, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller, and, given that and our past pleasure with other YWAM Publishing books, I second her recommendation of the book and its corresponding unit study.
Regarding the Unit Study Curriculum Guide, it is a thorough one that can be used as a full-on unit study or can be cherry-picked for specific ideas and information that suit your particular child and homeschool style. Like all YWAM Publishing curriculum guides, it has ideas, prompts, and information for reinforcing various curriculum areas, including history, geography, essay writing, creative writing, reading comprehension, public speaking, drama, and art and is written so that both homeschool parents and teachers of co-ops/classrooms can use the material contained in it.
Regarding the Unit Study Curriculum Guide, it is a thorough one that can be used as a full-on unit study or can be cherry-picked for specific ideas and information that suit your particular child and homeschool style. Like all YWAM Publishing curriculum guides, it has ideas, prompts, and information for reinforcing various curriculum areas, including history, geography, essay writing, creative writing, reading comprehension, public speaking, drama, and art and is written so that both homeschool parents and teachers of co-ops/classrooms can use the material contained in it.
As a relaxed, eclectic homeschool family, we rarely use such resources in their entirety, but, rather, choose to cherry-pick ideas. Examples of how we do this are:
- use included Bible verse quotes as journal prompts.
- chat about the vocabulary words and terms that are highlighted in the Chapter Questions and Social Studies sections to ensure that my child understand each.
- have my child browse the Essay Question prompts to select one for practice essay writing.
- suggest my child look over the Creative Writing prompts to see if one strikes her fancy for journaling or a personal project.
- use the included maps to find some of the places mentioned.
We absolutely love YWAM Publishing here and C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller did not disappoint.
You can find our past YWAM Publishing reviews by browsing here. Also, be sure to click over to the Homeschool Review Crew to find links to current blog, video, and social media reviews from families that have read C.S. Lewis: Master Storyteller or other Christian Heroes: Then & Now books.
