Renee,
I remember when I first began homeschooling that I really was surprised by the more mature content that I discovered in the resources used by homeschoolers for history. Honestly, I was used to reading the sanitized versions of history from my public school education that removed much of the real history and instead gave a retold version that was missing most of the real facts.
While it is so important not to celebrate or glorify violence, corruption, fighting, greed, etc., I have discovered that it is important for children to hear a more true telling of events. This allows them to see the sinfulness of the world and to gain an accurate understanding of how people and cultures behave when left without a moral compass or Biblical principles. It shows children why the world desperately needs a Savior.
I originally used Sonlight with my oldest son when he was in first and second grade. (He is now a junior in high school).
Sonlight used A Child's History of the World in grades 1 and 2. So, you can truly imagine my surprise and shock in reading the text to a 6 year old.
I would never advocate reading A Child's History of the World to that young of an audience or without also using Grandpa's Box, Life in the Great Ice Age, and Hero Tales at the same time. Together these resources provide a fuller view of history, and they weave the thread of God's plan for man and His plan for man's salvation all throughout the telling of history. This is such an important way for kiddos to see history and to view man and his sinful nature. It makes it readily apparent what man left without God will do.
So, while it is not always comfortable to read A Child's History of the World, when I did it with my second son as part of Preparing I had an entirely different feeling about the way it was used. We had wonderful discussions in light of our readings, and I saw my son's faith grow tremendously during that year. I would encourage you not to discard A Child's History of the World too quickly or too early. Preparing Hearts truly will not work without it. So, in getting rid of A Child's History, you would lose Preparing. There is so much more to the overall guide and picture of history than just a Child's History of the World. It is but one piece in a very important picture.
Blessings,
Carrie
. It reads beautifully. I just am not in agreement with introducing some of the topics to my 9 year old. I do love how Carrie follows up each topic with focus on what the bible teaches. The discussion questions are spot on. 
We are so loving everything else in Preparing! I am just not having peace about using the history book. Anyone out there use another resource that covers these history topics? I realize this is probably not doable but I thought I would give it a shot.