Great Children’s Books

Recently I was introduced to Salem Ridge Press, a publishing company that is republishing children’s books from the 1800’s and early 1900’s – books that are no longer available in print. The company was started by a homeschool graduate, Daniel Mills who wanted to provide books that parents can feel good about giving to their children because of the content: strong moral values, exciting content, and good character qualities.

A Little More about Salem Ridge Press:

After browsing their website and the various books that Salem Ridge Press offers, I am very impressed with the company’s philosophy and their goals. The verse that they base their philosophy on is Phillipians 4:8 . A recent newsletter clip nicely “sums up” their beliefs for me(emphasis mine):

“If I am going to bring a book back into print, I want to be able to stand behind it with no reservations. Very early on we realized that we were going to have to decide carefully what was appropriate in our books and what was not. I sometimes joke that our number one rule is, “No Kissing!” While many books from the 1800’s and early 1900’s are no problem at all this way, in several cases we have slightly edited passages which included a brief kiss or embrace. We want to be an encouragement to young people to maintain the highest standards of purity in their relationships. We have also edited out some derogatory comments that we felt were unnecessary or offensive.”

About the books I read:

Mary Jane – Her Book ($12.95) is a title for younger readers that both of our girls LOVED! Mary Jane is a five year old girl and the book is a compilation of her everyday adventures: helping out around the house, going on a picnic, planting a garden, learning to sew, and more. Laurianna and McKenna read this book to each other each night before bedtime and I could hear them giggling at the stories. (ages 6-10)

The American Twins of the Revolution ($12.95) is based on a true story during the American Revolution. It tells the story of a hidden shipment of gold and is full of adventure. This is one book that we will be adding to our curriculum when we study early American history! (ages 8-adult)

Glaucia the Greek Slave ($14.95) is a story based in Athens during the first century. It tells the story of Glaucia and her brother who were sold as slaves after their father’s death. There is a mystery surrounding their mother’s disappearance several years before. Glaucia’s brother Laon later meets the prisoner Paul, who shares about a new religion. This is the first of twelve books in a Church History series. You can read the first chapter of the book if you would like to get a feel for the books. (ages 10-adult)

An Added Bonus:

When you sign up to receive a quarterly newsletter, you will be entered to win one of their books each time a new title is released.

Until December 1st they are also holding a “Wish List Giveaway“. Make a wish list of 5 books that you would like from their website and they will email the list to 3 people and you could be one of five people that receives all the books on your list for FREE (hurry – that’s only a few days away!!).

This is definitely a company that I am going to be looking to in the future for supplements to our homeschool books. I am very impressed with their philosophy and the books that I have had the opportunity to read. And with Christmas coming up…there may just have to be a few books under the tree for the girls – we have to know what is happening with Mary Jane!