Madam How and Lady Why

by Charles Kingsley

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Science, Nature, School, Nonfiction, Childrens, Classics, British Literature

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1870

About the author

Charles Kingsley was an English clergyman, university professor, historian, and novelist, particularly associated with the West Country and north-east Hampshire.

He was educated at Helston Grammar School before studying at King's College London, and the University of Cambridge. Charles entered Magdalene College, Cambridge in 1838, and graduated in 1842. He chose to pursue a ministry in the church. From 1844, he was rector of Eversley in Hampshire, and in 1860, he was appointed Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge.

His writing shows an impulse to reconfigure social realities into dream geographies through Christian idealism.

Reviews

[Ava · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's like he's always talking down to the reader.

"Now little kid, I would tell you about this and this but you're too stupid, not old and wise and clever like me... Ah hah! Here is something you might comprehend! I will talk a bit about it. But THAT, oh, don't even try to think about such and such, your itty bitty brain might bust."

He never says any of those things outright, but it kind of feels like that to me. I'm not a baby, Mr. Kingsley!

I guess if I overlook that, some things are kind of neat. Not very much though.

[Lindsay B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book at all. I would rate it 0 stars if I could! But, I'm done with AO year 5!!!

[Jennifer Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting and unique book. It is a book about science from the 1860s, written in a very imaginative and engaging style, as if the reader is listening to a father teaching his son all about the world around him, using plenty of imagination and a poetic style.

Obviously, a book from the 1860s won’t have the most up-to-date observational facts, but there is so much wisdom in this book that I feel it is still very valuable. He consistently points his readers to the Creator and encourages a humble attitude when approaching science—a refreshing change from the arrogant and atheistic approach in most modern science books.

My 12-year-old daughter, who is very imaginative and artistic, loves this book. My 10-year-old son, who loves facts and data and information, and has little patience for fantasy, isn’t a fan of the poetic style. I think both will benefit from reading it, though.

We read the free Kindle version, which is very readable with very few typos, but it unfortunately does not have the original illustrations. We still enjoyed it, and used Google images to help us. But if you can find a print version with illustrations, that would be ideal.

[Tracy]

a lovely read that explains science poetically. my boys still talk about this book.

[Rosie Gearhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read chapters 1-3 and chapter 8 to my children (14, 12, and 10) this school year, but we’re not going to finish it next year. I found better resources for conveying the important idea that science can only answer questions about the natural world and when you begin to talk about purpose you’ve stepped outside the bounds of science and into philosophy or theology, as well as the idea that God is sovereign over all things. (http://www.neverofftopic.com/re-topic... and the book Origins by Haarsma)

This book did help my children become more accustomed to 19th Century literary style as well as the physical landscape of England, but the condescending tone especially bothered my 14 year old (though it made for some good conversations between us!). I’m glad we read what we did, but we’ll be moving on to something else now.

[Vanessa Chesebro · Rating 4 out of 5]

James and I finished together. I’m not smart enough to know exactly how much of the science is outdated, but I loved seeing his Christian perspective through much of it, especially when he was being a little preachy. God has made all of creation and it all gives him glory in a multitude of ways.

[Ginny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that covers science in a relational format. Some of the information is outdated/incorrect, but definitely guides the reader in understanding how aspects of the world affect each other and encouraging scientific thinking and questioning of the world around us.

[Cherylg · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was ok but hard to follow

You might relly love this book if your a big English reader. But for me it was a little hard to follofollow.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Science reading for AO year 4 and 5. Read aloud together.

[TJ Andrews · Rating 1 out of 5]

i hated, it was too boring. it was hard to read.

[Brooklin Andrews · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this. It was boring and read like a school textbook. Actually, i'd rather read a school textbook than this book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure there's something that I'm missing on the science side of things, but I don't know how you could get a child interested in science better than with a nature lore kind of book like this one.

[Kacey Schreyer]

Read along with my Ambleside Online Year 4 student. Had some great things to chew on

[A Hoppy Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
A father teaches his young son about geology and earth science. An elementary introduction to the subject. Much better than I expected.

[Malina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow read with my son for school. After getting past the first chapter I found it pretty interesting. It requires looking up plants and events that aren't known to me as they would have been to readers when the book was first published but the authors insights and commentary are worthy to consider.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's books have come a long way since Charles Kingsley wrote this charming book on natural science and addressed it to boys only, because of course girls wouldn't care about volcanoes or coral reefs, would they? The author was a friend and supporter of Charles Darwin, so for its day, the book is forward looking. Just no girls allowed. Unless you're Ada Lovelace or Mary Anning.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a mix of the best ideas (the sections on eyes and no eyes, analysis vs synthesis, etc), the worst ideas (the purpose of an earthquake) and generally good ideas (geological descriptions).

The good parts are so very good, the bad so very ugly. With my second student I will use only the best parts of this book, and will find alternate sources for the medium and wretched parts.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

This vintage science book was a fascinating attempt to balance faith and reason. I was surprised, though, at Kingsley's acceptance of the theory of evolution.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

my kids did not respond well at all to this book.