Six Voices, One Story: The Heart of AmblesideOnline

by AmblesideOnline Education Foundation, Donna-Jean A. Breckenridge, Lynn Bruce

The AmblesideOnline Advisory began as a band of mothers who followed God and the vitalizing ideas of Charlotte Mason, and who along the way were blessed with an enduring and extraordinary friendship. Six Voices, One Story: The Heart of AmblesideOnline tells how this free curriculum was created, and shares our heart for "education for all."

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Parenting, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Christian Non Fiction, Book Club

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2023

Reviews

[Mariah Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I’ll repeat, I wasn’t prepared to cry this much. Second, I loved hearing about all the history—also, the AO camp meeting. I still grieve that I couldn’t make it due to my appendix rupturing and all that followed. Thirdly, CPQ has a different mission and purpose, but this friendship I read about kept reminding me of Cara and Sarah. We have cried together and prayed for each other. We have also worked through criticism together (but we won’t talk about that 🙃—I appreciated hearing how they dealt with that, or didn’t). But we are big idea people, and so we’re always sifting through projects and ideas and wanting to encourage mommas in this philosophy.

I read this and “got it.” It is a special thing. It’s a privilege to get a peek inside it.

I have nothing but love and respect for these ladies and the work they have done.

This was fun to read.

[Brittany Lindvall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoyed hearing more of the stories behind the creation and collaboration of AO. It’s blessed so many and I’m thankful for all the time and energy these ladies so freely gave (and continue to give). What a legacy!

[Gina Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book for so many reasons. We’ve been using the AmblesideOnline curriculum for 9 years, my oldest graduated last year having used AO from 5th grade through graduation and the Lord has used it to bless us in so many ways. In light of that, this book was personal to me, much of it was information I already knew but they also shared personal glimpses I had never seen before. There are talks and blog posts and articles included, some of which I had heard or read before but others which were totally new. I’m constantly blessed by how very Christ focused the advisory members always are. God has used them to bless thousands of families.

Another reason I loved this book, so much practical advice and general summing up of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy. Because of those things this would be a great, and very accessible, introduction to a Charlotte Mason education for someone new to it all!

Also, fair warning, if you’ve been around AO for long at all the first chapter might bring some tears as they talk about Wendi and Lynn.

[Katie Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could I not love this book? I think anyone who has used or is using AO should read this! It’s so insightful and I loved seeing all of their different writing styles.

[Lauren Fee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consider this review my personal thank-you to each of the ladies of the AO Advisory.

Words can't express my gratitude for your life's work. You truly have embodied Christ by sowing this seed of an idea of Ambleside Online in faith, undergoing many deaths, both literally and figuratively, and now this unassuming website bears the beautiful fruit that will bloom for generations to come. I am grateful that my family represents a branch that has been grafted into this educational vine and I am humbled to be apart of the global Ambleside Online family. Each of your deep loves for the Lord and for the ideas of Charlotte Mason bind our hearts together. The margins of my copy of this book are full of hearts of sentences I particularly loved, stars of ideas to commonplace, and hearty Amen's. Can't wait to join you all in glory one day singing the hymn together of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" with gusto as we smile and remember the gift that our true education was when we were on this side of the veil. I am truly eternally grateful.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been homeschooling my girls using Ambleside Online’s curriculum for 7 years. In the early days, I haunted the AO Facebook page and forum, trying to glean every bit of insight and wisdom I could from the more seasoned mamas. I gradually became aware of the geniuses who distilled Charlotte Mason’s Victorian-era philosophy of education into a curriculum adapted to our modern age. They managed to do this while raising their own children, working jobs, and moving houses, in a pre-social media world.

As I read of the creation of the Ambleside curriculum, and as I am currently planning Year 9 for my daughters, I can only be grateful for the priceless gift that Anne, Wendi, Leslie, Donna-Jean, Karen, and Lynn freely gave to the world. My life and the lives of my daughters have been immeasurably enriched by this curriculum, and ultimately by Charlotte Mason’s genius.

This book, and the women who wrote and inspired it, are a blessing to the Charlotte Mason community and to the world of education at large.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly appreciated this book and the gift Ambleside Online offers to anyone and everyone. I come back to their website again and again and to have “the story” behind AO’s inception increases my gratitude.

The chapter Anne White wrote about Mason’s principles was refreshing and encouraging.

[Heather Gorsett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this book went on forever because that’s how long it would take to satisfy my curiosity of these magnanimous human beings.

[Lydia Bethay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an encouraging and lovely book. It gave me a greater vision for education and took part in stoking my love for motherhood, Charolette Mason, & education for God’s glory. I loved reading about these faithful women who have walked such hard roads, while praising God as they journeyed them.

In the forward, Thomas Chalmers is quoted saying, “The wider a man’s knowledge becomes, the deeper should be his humility; for the more he knows the more he sees of what remains unknown. The wider the diameter of light, the larger the circumference of darkness. And so, with every footstep of growing knowledge there ought to be a growing humility— that is the best guarantee both for a sound philosophy and a sound faith.” This quote sums up these six women as they seek knowledge, not for knowledge’s sake, but with humility before their God.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever indebted to Ambleside Online Advisory. I will never forget my twenty five year old self printing off pages and pages and …pages of schedules and articles. My oldest was about three at the time. I couldn’t fathom the goldmine of information I had discovered could possibly be free for long. But, here we are.

Beautiful tribute. Awesome testimony of what Charlotte Mason desired … liberal education for ALL. I have always admired the philosophies backing this group…. Not to create Charlotte Mason legalists. But to truly embrace each family as a real family. To adhere to the principles, but to also individualize to each valuable mother’s insight of what is best for HER home. Praise God.
Thank you.

[Lindsay Broome · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely blessed by these ladies who spent so much of their life making Charlotte Mason ideas accessible to all. Loved reading their stories and excerpts from early days of putting together the AO curriculum. Forever grateful for all of their hard labors! The ripples will continue to impact families around the world for many years to come XOXO

[forthefamilyssake Hailey White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected to like this book and learn a few things. I didn’t expect to love women that I never met. This book hit me at the right time.

The first time I set eyes on the @amblesideonline page 12 years ago I was overwhelmed. I remember in my mind thinking it mustn’t be that good because it was FREE! Coming from a conveyor belt public school education I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. So I didn’t.

Years later Providence led me back to Ambleside. Ambleside led me to Charlotte Mason. Charlotte Mason led me to the idea of Self-education. Self Education has drawn me closer to the Lord.

Perhaps it’s over reaching to say that Ambleside has drawn me closer to the Lord. Perhaps not. What I do know is that everyday I am thankful to the Lord for the journey of the Charlotte Mason education I’m gifting to my children (and myself).

[Blossom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very encouraging book! This is the story of AmblesideOnline, but it is also a lovely glimpse into the friendship of six women. I have never met a more lovely group of ladies with hearts so dedicated to others.
I laughed and cried while reading the accounts given by the Advisory. It makes it more 'real' since I have met them all (at least once!); and who they are on the computer is as genuine as they are in person.
If one is particularly interested in the endeavor of AmblesideOnline, reading this will give some insight into the how and why it exists. If one needs some encouragement to stick with a task that they feel called to do (but maybe don't always want to), reading this definitely will not be a negative (although those homeschooling in the Charlotte Mason philosophy will possibly gain the most; possibly).
I loved the different style with which each presented their thoughts, helping me grasp in various ways more about different aspects of AmblesideOnline, education, friendships, and all else that was covered in this lovely book.

[Jordan Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never having actually met these women, I love them dearly and am very grateful for all of their work offered so generously in putting together a rich Charlotte Mason curriculum, made free to families for use.

I would have a hard time choosing a favorite chapter. This was especially helpful for me as I consider the beginning of a new semester when it feels very overwhelming to begin again…I find myself renewed and freshly inspired in CM and AO. I think this will be a book I return to time and again. I have marked up many pages.

The story of the beginning of AO was so interesting too. Reading Lynn Bruce’s writings was especially poignant and resonant for me.

[Brit Chhangur · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve been a loyal AO family from the start of homeschooling ☺️, so this book was really meaningful to me. Loved hearing the story of its beginnings, how it’s changed and grown, but also found it so helpful, broadening my understanding of CM principles. Their particular passion for everyone everywhere to be able to access this curriculum for free really struck me! Loved it!

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote a review, but Goodreads ate it! Will try again later.

But, I’m more impressed than ever with the faithful, God fearing “Band of Mothers” who built Ambleside Online over twenty years.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely

[Amy Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me seven months to finish this. Perhaps that is in true CM form, or at least I’m saying that to encourage myself that it is okay to have taken that long.

I find myself a bit heartsore looking on at this fellowship of ladies. I admit I’m jealous. How did they work together for so long and over such geographical distances without self getting in the way and breaking up the fellowship? I’ve worked in a ministry my whole life, long enough to have been disillusioned repeatedly about the ability of Christians to work together. It’s truly disheartening. To me, that is the most amazing thing about this group of ladies—that they each contributed wholeheartedly and were able to keep the main goals and visions in the forefront, without separation between them. I’m not sure even they understand how unique that is. But maybe they do and that’s the point of the book.

I love their commitment to making AO free for Jesus’ sake. As a missionary, I love that they remembered us in love for our work’s sake and were determined to benefit us. This very example is one reason why I think perhaps God will preserve America for a time yet and not spit her out of His mouth—because American churches still do more for missions than anywhere else in the world.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much goodness, truth, and beauty is packed into this relatively small book! Read it and then reread it just make sure you grab your tissues first!

[Rachel Snowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat to share in the story of this gift the AO ladies have shared and of their journey. It was good to be reminded of core things about education and to be let in to this sacred space of the friendship and working out this philosophy in their lives and the labor and offering of love from these beautiful ladies.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a lovely collection of wisdom from the women behind Ambleside Online. We have used AO as either a primary or supporting homeschool resource since 2012, and I have been pointing people and schools towards AO for about as long. It is one of the most charitable organizations I know because its very foundation is that of free use. I have come to love the six voices in this book, and I'm so happy to recommend this book wholeheartedly.

[C Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across AO before the high school years were complete. I started using it because it was free, and we had a very tight budget. It has blessed our family in so many ways, and I have seen the fruit of my labor blessed by God. I enjoyed reading the story of how it came about, the journey the Advisory is still on, and the heart of the mission. If AO is dear to your heart, this book will speak to you, encourage you, move you to tears, and teach you.

[Paige Benzing · Rating 5 out of 5]

will definitely be recommending to all my fellow “early in the homeschool years” mamas! gives great, concise descriptions of CM principles, has beautiful words about death of fellow believers, and I love the differing writing styles/voices.

[Shannon McGarvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Sad. Beautiful.

[Kristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am eternally grateful for the gift that is Ambleside Online, and this book made me laugh and cry at times while reading the different stories of the six women behind AO.

[Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely, moving read. It’s part memoir, part essays on educational philosophy and how to implement Charlotte Mason’s ideas, and part history of both AmblesideOnline and the friendship among the six women of the AO Advisory.

I read this in awe of the work and dedication of these six women to put together the AO curriculum and ensure that it’s free for anyone who wants to use it.

__________


“In the very last line [of Home Education], after 350 pages of extensive educational principles, philosophical considerations, and practical suggestions, Charlotte Mason refers to a Biblical text and writes simply, ‘But, once more, ‘This kind cometh forth only by prayer’” (Matthew 17:21). That’s it. That’s the last word, the deepest truth, the heart of everything, and it is the path forward, then and now. This education, this way of life, will come forth, but only by prayer…” p. 27

“Lift your eyes for a moment from the curriculum guide, teacher’s manual, math problems, and state-imposed guidelines. Look at the goal of education: a virtuous man or woman who loves the Lord—an individual who thinks rightly and acts righteously. This is not the work of a day or a year. Progress is not measured by checking off a finished assignment. Though we must give attention to the details of the journey, fix your eyes on the goal as often as possible, though you can do no more than take one step at a time.” p. 75

“And can we then concur that school, to be based in worship, should happen in the absence of anxiety and fear, and in an atmosphere of rest and delight? (I warn you that if you think about this very much, it might change how you go about things as early as tomorrow morning.) Would you say your own education happened in an atmosphere defined more by leisure or hurry, stress, and anxiety? What would your children say about their educational atmosphere? ‘For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7)” p. 98

[Melissa King · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heart-filling book! I cried, I highlighted, and probably read half of it aloud to my husband as I read it in bed each evening. I’m more thankful now than ever for these women: their tireless love, devotion, wisdom, generosity and grit. It truly was a service to God for the coming generations of families and children.

[Bethanyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've been using ambleside in our home for 5 years now. It was my first true introduction into Charlotte Mason after reading For the Children's Sake.
Ambleside has given me the gift of wanting to dive further into my own education of the Charlotte Mason method. While we change books when needed, AO has given so much to our homeschool.

This book felt like meeting dear friends and helped me understand more about AO. I loved reading it.

[Isabella Leake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cozy, comforting, often inspiring read. I was a little disappointed that it's largely made up of essays previously published online—definitely gems, tastefully selected and arranged, but not much new content.

The parts that were newly written for the book, the ones chronicling the genesis of Ambleside Online, were the most interesting to me. It's always fun and enlivening to get a peek behind the scenes. I especially loved reading about the world of Charlotte Mason education in the 1990s, which is when my mother (and through her I, as a child) first encountered these ideas. Returning to Charlotte Mason as a mother myself, I've often marvelled at how much more has been discovered, puzzled through, and written about Charlotte Mason since the 90s. There is a wealth of resources available now that was unimaginable then—the result of much work done by people like the AO Advisory, together with other group and individual efforts.

It's no accident that this flurry of research and recovery (republication) of forgotten books and articles, this camaraderie and collaboration between people geographically distant but linked by admiration of Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education, has concurred with the rise of the Internet. The digital world was the nursery for these ideas and discoveries to reach maturity and the field that allowed for their wide dissemination. I'm more used to lamenting what we've lost through the advent of the Internet, so it's a little mind-bending to realize that something I consider an entirely positive gain, both for humane learning in general and myself personally—that has, in fact, almost singlehandedly shaped the way I teach my children and think about education—could not have occurred without it.

[Leora · Rating 5 out of 5]

What beautiful words telling a beautiful story. My admiration for these six godly women who started AmblesideOnline only grows with time and with an increased knowledge of their many sacrifices, prayers, and labors of love to make AO free, available, and fulfilling Charlotte Mason’s wonderful principles (and many biblical ones too), including “education for all.” Our family has enjoyed the feast that is AO going on three years, and we plan to do it all of the way through. I continue to be convinced that there is just nothing better out there—for many, many reasons. I feel as if I’ve discovered a treasure and just want everyone to partake in it (I wish they would!). Read Charlotte Mason’s volumes, explore the AO website, and read everything these wonderful ladies have written. Lay the feast before your children as you read, and enjoy the ride of learning alongside them. And if you don’t have children or have already graduated them, then enjoy the feast of ideas for yourself—art, poetry, music, Shakespeare, literature, history, folk songs, science, nature study, etc., are for everyone. I know these ladies would agree when I say that you won’t regret it!