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I'm looking at doing Preparing with 2 of my kiddos. But I see A Child's History of the World is part of the set, and I've used it (briefly) before with sonlight (several years ago) and remember not being crazy about it. I remember it being very "textbook-y". Doesn't seem very "CM" to me, at all. Can you do the guide without it? Or is there a good substitute?

It is one of the main spines so there really isn't any way to use anything else. Carrie uses it in a unique way in that you skip the first 3-4 chapters due to their evolution content and then she alternates it with Grandpa's box which gives secular history intertwined with biblical history. It makes for a great combination. The follow up activities that you do with it make all the difference I think. In addition to oral and written narrations there are also times when you look up scripture and then ask questions that connect the scripture to the reading in the Hillyer book. Honestly it didn't seem textbook like at all to us.

I totally agree, it is "textbook-y" if you just read it but the activities that go along with it and the way it is handled make it fun. It is a good overview and I think right at the right level for these kids to understand. There's not really a good way to use a different book instead of that one with Preparing.

I agree... I think if you use it the way HOD has it scheduled, you may just enjoy it more! I used Sonlight in the past, and it is mainly just reading, with discussion questions. HOD pulls so much from all books read and it makes them so much more meaningful!! I have read through Preparing myself over the summer and it is SO GOOD! Don't let that book scare you away

The combination of CHOW and Grandpa's Box was a total hit at our house! It is definitely narrative, and a favorite of our dc's and mine. Hillyer fits the definition of CM's living books: one author passionate about one subject, writing in a unique style. Wait until you do PHFHG - you'll see!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks for the responses! Makes sense!!