Further Afield

by Anne E. White, Charles Kingsley

What was the unique value of Madam How and Lady Why that made it a staple of Charlotte Mason’s classrooms, long after its lessons on earthquakes and volcanoes seemed out of date? Through a father’s conversations with his son, Charles Kingsley connects the small, concrete things in front of us with the processes that have shaped and are shaping our planet. Can we come back from a walk with our minds (if not our pockets) full of wonders? This guide, written especially for young students and their parents/teachers, contains an edited and updated version of the second half of Kingsley’s book, plus lesson notes for one year’s work.

Genres: School

165 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2019

Reviews

[Laura Simpson]

I almost gave this book (Kingsley’s) four stars, because it felt a bit like walking through mud. But then I remembered how often I’ve thought over these principles of Madam How and Lady Why, and how I see the world differently, and I realize that the walk through the mud made me stronger. I have gone from No Eyes (or at least, Very Dim Eyes) to Eyes.

Anne White’s work is fabulous. Makes this work much more approachable and open-and-go. Defined words as needed, sections broken into manageable reading chunks, and excellent narration ideas.

Just finished with my eldest child and already starting over with my second, so I see the benefit of spreading it over two years, and I’m looking forward to a re-read.

[Jess]

5 stars for Anne’s work!!!

[Vivienne]

It was very interesting to say the least I don't know what this book was trying to accomplish but I was confused they said fish on Giants and rocks aren't hard I don't know what that's supposed to mean so I don't know how to feel about this book and that's it.

[Staci]

Anne White truly helps make more difficult books accessible. That being said, this wasn't my favorite of my son's books for the year (though I'm glad we had this version instead of the original). My seemed to enjoy it, though.

[Alicia]

Tried to love it, but it felt rather like a slog at times. Maybe that says more about me than Kingsley? Anne White's work is worth 5 stars, though! It is helpful to have lessons laid out, and her discussion questions are wonderful.

[Eliza Fitzgerald]

Read aloud to Charlie

[Summer]

2024:I am so thankful for these guides. It was fun to travel through England and a bit of Ireland, visit volcanoes and get a real sense on how the English countryside was weaved together. I'll be paying close attention this summer on our trip there, Lord willing.

2026: I guess I didn't realize last time that the English were using coprolites for farming in 1869! I wonder if they are still allowed to do that?!

"If we thought and searched over the Universe- aye, I believe, only over this one little planet called earth- for millions on millions of years, we should not get to the end of our searching. The more we learnt, the more we should find there was left to learn."