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The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons [Paperback]

Amanda Blake Soule , Stephen Soule
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)

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Book Description

August 9, 2011
Many of us with busy families yearn for a slower and simpler life with our kids—one that is connected to the seasons and the natural rhythm of the year, one that has our children spending more time out of doors rather than in, one that balances out some of the busyness of our lives—the computers, the televisions, the cell phones—with a deeper connection to the Earth and an appreciation for and understanding of the natural world. The Rhythm of Family is a guide to living such a life for any family.

Following the course of a year through the passing of the seasons, this book explores the ways we can create deep family connections and meaningful memories through living in tune with the cycles of nature. From stomping around in mud boots in the spring to gathering around the woodstove in winter, our activities naturally change from season to season—from the rhythms of the seasons comes the rhythms in our homes, our hearts, our families, and our every day. Paying attention to these changes slows us down, inspires new types of creative play and exploration, instills a sense of family togetherness, and deepens an awareness of nature and self that can make our lives, days, family, and earth grow stronger.

The Rhythm of Family explores what we learn and can gain as parents and families by encouraging and experiencing creativity and nature exploration with our children, the seasons can provide us with a rhythm that brings us close to the earth, and closer to our children.

Frequently Bought Together

The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons + The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections + Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures
Price for all three: $41.66

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book will fill you with yearning to connect further with nature, yourself, your family, and creativity. It inspires and uplifts with magnificent, evocative photography. Knitting and sewing projects, herbal health care, recipes, seed sprouting. A book of delight for the whole family.”—Juno Magazine (UK)

About the Author

Amanda Blake Soule is the creator of the popular blog www.SouleMama.com. Amanda spends her days with her four young children—making things, thrifting, exploring and being inspired by their coastal Maine surroundings. Learn more about her and find her blog at www.amandasoule.com.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Roost Books; Original edition (August 9, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1590307771
  • ISBN-13: 978-1590307779
  • Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Amanda Blake Soule is the creator of the popular blog www.SouleMama.com, where she writes about her adventures in craft and creativity, modern homemaking, and mindful parenting.

Amanda lives in Western Maine with her husband (and fellow author) Stephen, and their five children. On their family farm and in their days, they strive to live simply, close to the earth and to each other.

Learn more about her and find her blog at www.amandasoule.com.



Customer Reviews

Having read the first two of Amanda Soule's books I was so excited to receive this book. Life is Good  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement
I re-read this book every chance I get. Jessica  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
71 of 75 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful but not much content January 1, 2012
By Mom2two
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The photography in this book is stunning. I gave it 3 stars because the book was worth buying just for the photographs in my opinion. But I've been living with this book for a few months, picking it up, looking at the essays and project ideas. I've been unsettled. It's a great concept and I love this particular mama and what she's about. But there's very little real content here.

The essays were like diary entries -- things about their family and experiences. There's some value to this I guess, but I thought the book would be about rhythm in family in general -- not just this particular family's journal of their private adventures. The book should have been called "The Rhythm of Our Family" or something like that.

Each month offers some crafting or cooking idea, but that doesn't add up to much. Far better books exist on crafting with family through the year, connecting with family outdoors, and cooking. For crafts I like "Crafts Through the Year" by Thomas Berger. For outdoor exploration I love "Nature's Playground" - it's packed full of ideas for exploring nature in every season with children.
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33 of 37 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Some nice essays. October 11, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Have skipped around the book as it's now fall when I received it, and have enjoyed the essays from "Mama" and "Papa." Some nice writing. Her husband writes well. So far, many of the "projects" are pretty normal and I'd say are secondary in this book. I think the overall book is about the essays, thinking of the cycles in families and the natural world we love in (like the title says). I can appreciate their decision to essentially step away from the type of life many of us lead, but I don't think many of us can honestly devote days to preserving tomatoes on top of everything else. Her job is to be exactly what she is. Sadly, that's not my job. My life is much more ordinary and typical of living in suburbia. But I do appreciate the book, it's message, the photos and the fact it makes me CONSIDER how we can choose a path more geared toward our family and our home.
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23 of 26 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and calming August 29, 2011
Format:Paperback
As a follow up the Amanda Soules other two books this one is really lovely. The book is full of thoughtful essays on each month and the changes in the family as the seasons change. More of an inspiration for aware parenting than an "how to" book. Has great crafts, recipes and ideas but also a lot of wisdom. I feel the value is in the words to help remind us to slow down and enjoy our children and families. Also the photography is amazing! Really wonderful to hear from another family doing things by hand, from scratch, and with intention. Very lovely, worth owning! No offense to Amazon, but buy from Soulemama website like I did and get yours autographed (plus you can see cute pics of the whole family packing up all the ougoing books!)
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars I would return it, if it weren't for the hassle August 1, 2012
Format:Paperback
I loved the idea of this book, I loved the cover, and I really wanted to love this book. As a new parent, I don't have the time that I used to investigate books as thoroughly. I have, however, spent a lot of time looking through the author's other book "Handmade Home". I liked the book, although not enough to buy it, and I used this along with the concept and beautiful cover to decide to buy this book. When I received the book I immediately browsed the projects and recipes only to be very much unimpressed. The book sat for a while. Later, I started to read the essays and I just couldn't get into it. Maybe, if you are more of a beginner this would be a good book for you. I personally felt that I didn't need instructions for any of the projects, and any that needed more guidance could easily be found on the internet. For example, the one project I think that I would like to do is to make recycled paper. The process is relatively self explanatory, and if you wanted a specific recipe, one could easily find it on the internet.

I get that the projects are supposed to be things that you can do with kids, but if they are that simple I think the book should make up for it in quantity. (The book is divided up into months and each month has about 3 projects/ recipes) I just felt like this book should have been a blog. I don't mean to bash the book, and I hate to actually, but I do feel like I wasted my money.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Ideas for the whole Family August 21, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Slowing down and enjoying life. That is the mantra of "The Rhythm of the Family". Each month ideas are given that support local cuisine and the natural rhythm of the season. My favorite part of each chapter was "PA". Where Amanda's husband gives his own interpretation of the month--its so refreshing to have a mans perspective on creating rhythms and seeing one so devoted to his family. Reading this book along with my husband has helped our own relationship grow to family nature walks and family dinners. Thank you for bringing such a wonderful addition to our home--on the coffee table as a great conversation starter now!
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8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent book! August 9, 2011
By Soleil
Format:Paperback
Amanda Blake Soule has done it again! This is yet another beautiful and inspiring book. It is certainly a true celebration of all of the months/seasons and a great reminder to enjoy the present. I really enjoy the way this book is woven together - recipes, essays, and projects - all put together very thoughtfully with good flow. This is simply a lovely book, one you'll return to again and again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Adore!
An absolutely beautiful book! This book is full of wonderful ideas, lovely stories, and inspiration for families through every season of the year. Read more
Published 10 days ago by A. Dunham
5.0 out of 5 stars Amanda's Writing Opens the Spririt.
I love having this book on my desk and thumbing through it every month. It is a gentle reminder to stop and pay attention to the outside world, not just the calendar (with the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by BadgerGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
I re-read this book every chance I get. It has 2-3 seasonal activities per month, and then a small prose by each parent on what that month inspires them to do and how it reminds... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jessica
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!
Having read the first two of Amanda Soule's books I was so excited to receive this book. The way she writes is just like she is talking to you as a friend. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Life is Good
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and beautiful
"Notice, celebrate, rejoice in the beauty of the natural world." I love this book for its truth's; for its timeline; for its simplicity. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Christina Rosalie
5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting and motivating book
I found this at my local library, and I liked it so much that I just purchased it here. I've read through Soule's Handmade Home, but I think I like this book even better. Read more
Published 13 months ago by KP27
4.0 out of 5 stars Great for a little inspiration
Review originally posted on Words at Home blog March 14, 2012: [...]

I have been a fan of Amanda Blake Soule since I stumbled across her blog SouleMama in 2008. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Bonnie
4.0 out of 5 stars A great travel through the seasons with the Soule Family
The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons Each month has an entry from both Amanda (SouleMama) and Stephen (SoulePapa), a craft and/or recipe... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Amy Spalding
5.0 out of 5 stars encouraging
I love Amanda's blog, Soulemama, and her first two books are among my favorites for inspiration on what to do WITH my boys when a slot of creative time presents itself. Read more
Published 15 months ago by entre nous
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
Steve and Amanda Soule do a wonderful job, once again of depicting the beauty of family life. The ideas and essays in this book are inspiring and practical. Don't miss this one!
Published 17 months ago by Holly
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