IDEAS #1 IDEAS ABOUT LIVING BOOKS, TWADDLE, AND RELATIVISM
If you're a Charlotte Mason homeschooler, or even if you're another kind of homeschooler, you probably know the terms “living book” and “twaddle.” Even if you just lurk in homeschool fb groups, you've probably heard the terms. But what do they mean, and maybe more importantly, how do you identify them?
A living book is a book that contains rich language, big ideas, and intriguing settings
It draws a reader in and makes them want to know more. It is almost always written by a single author who is an expert or has a passion for the subject. And it's written in a conversational style, like the author is sitting across from you and sharing their heart. Finally, it advances us toward our goal of steering our students (and our own minds) toward the good, the beautiful, and the true. Does this mean nothing bad ever happens in a living book, that there is not sadness or sorrow or death? Certainly not. But a living book will lead us to conclusions that are beautiful and true, as difficult circumstances are often used for our refinement.
Twaddle is, of course, any book that does NOT fire the imagination or stir the emotions The sentences may be short and choppy, the book may have been written by a committee (like a textbook), or the author might be turning out a book a week in a series, making them formulaic; not much thought or expertise went into the writing of each volume. These books will not convey big ideas, but just the bare facts.
To identify a living book, open a book at random and read a page to yourself.
Are the sentences challenging enough to fire your imagination? Does it touch your emotions, drawing you into the story? Do you find yourself wanting to know more, to turn one more page? Does it contain ideas that challenge or inspire you?
This last qualification might be hard to determine in a one-page sample. I suggest you find some like-minded people or organizations (in person or online) that you feel comfortable taking suggestions from, and read through their “booklists.” Many booklists can be found right here at meadowlarkmama.com.
I have recently read an opinion that the idea of a living book is relative - the same book can be living for some students and not for others. I want to firmly contradict this opinion. Living is living. Ideas are ideas. Like the universality of truth, a book can't be living for you and not living for me or vice versa.
HOWEVER, it may be perfectly true that the ideas in a living book are not relevant or appreciated by you or your student AT THIS TIME. So you might choose to skip a book or try it again later. This is your prerogative; you are in charge of your own and your student's education.
Conversely, you may find a book that is not living, but it resonates with you or your student or is helpful toward your ends in some way, so you decide to USE IT ANYWAY. This is perfectly allowable; you are in charge of your own and your student's education.