Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study With the Gentle Art of Learning : A Story for Mother Culture ® [Paperback]

Pocketful of Pinecones was easy to read, and a pleasure to read. It is the fictional account of Carol, a mother living in the 1930s, and using Charlotte Mason's methods, particularly her nature study methods. Yet, the book is based on Karen Andreola's experiences with her own children. It is a book that you will continue to pick up until you have reached the last pages telling of the Andreola's life in Maine. I enjoyed the book, and felt i got to know Karen a little better. She is an extremely soft spoken person and this gentleness is evident in Pinecones. The temptations are there, but Carol thinks before speaking so as not to be harsh to her family.

In all our educating we should remember as Carol-Karen tells us,

"...that not all of what they will learn about God's creation will conveniently fit into my lessons. My students have a lifetime ahead of them in which to observe and discover - to become self educated in their leisure, so to speak. My job is to allow their feet to walk the paths of wonder, to see that they form relations to various things, so that when the habit is formed, they will carry an appreciation for nature with them throughout their lives."

As a lover of nature and nature's God, as well as inclined to sketching, Pocketful of Pinecones was a delightful read. I laughed and I cried. I sang hymns. It is inspiring and not just toward nature study. It encourages toward more gentle motherhood and even to humility before our husbands. It inspires God-ward with the many hymn lyrics and the lifestyle portrayed.

"My devotions gave the day its energy... It is proof that I remember Him, depend on His mercy, which is so thankfully new every morning. It is evidence that I trust Him. It is because my days are so busy that I have kept myself from the God-can-wait syndrome. I need my heavenly Father and so I seek Him early. Prayers are the wings of the soul. They bear the Christian far from earth, out of its cares, its woes and its perplexities, into glorious serenity. It is the first God-ward step that the soul takes."

...Pinecones would be an especially appropriate gift for a new mother, a young mother or someone contemplating homeschooling. It gives a gentle introduction to easy methods by way of the example set forth in the story line. It was written for the busy mother, yet I can envision a mother reading it to her children as well.

There are some atypical words for the 30s and even the fact that the family is homeschooling in the United States seems quite unusual for that time period.

Karen has included recommended resources and excerpts from Charlotte Mason's book, Home Education.

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As a child, I got much more excited about a new subject if I read fiction about a character who was excited about it than if I only read nonfiction on the topic. Reading this book got me engaged in the idea of doing nature study and adjusting my view of homeschooling in a way that the three or four "straight" books on Charlotte Mason education I've read haven't done.

I would recommend this for any homeschooler, whether he/she is interested in the Charlotte Mason approach or not, who is interested in incorporating more nature study into his/her children's education--or for any homeschooler who is feeling burned out and in need of a fresh perspective.

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But as much as I respect and enjoy Karen and her other writings, this particular book just didn't "grab" me. Charlotte Mason talks about giving a book a "two page test" ... you randomly open a book and read two pages. Then ask yourself, "Do I want to read more?" Well, this book didn't pass my two page test. I didn't even want to finish reading the two pages.

I think perhaps Karen's writing "gift" (and she IS gifted!) is in the area of non-fiction. This fictional book left me cold, although, believe it or not, each chapter did fuel a wee bit of inspiration for me. After reading the book, I plan on getting brand new sketch books for my children (and for myself!), and then heading out to our local nature trails and parks with fresh eyes.

So, the question remains, do I like this book? I honestly don't know. I didn't care for the writing style, it wasn't a "page turner" for me, but it HAS been inspiring in a quiet sort of way. But to get to the book's inspirational aspects, I almost had to force myself to sit down and read the book. So I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. I wish I'd seen the book first before buying it. I don't think I would've spent the money ... but your mileage may vary.

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