Classical Conversations Cycle 1, Weeks 1-2

Our family reads a lot of books, but we will not be using every book listed each week. Many of these we previewed over the summer or the 3 years ago when we first went through Cycle 1. Additionally, we get many of our books from our library, but I have linked to Amazon for additional details about each book. If you choose to purchase any of these books, consider using my links, as we do get a small percentage from each purchase! Many of these books are great for multiple weeks this cycle, and so we use them beyond the listed week, particularly for subjects that are favorites of my children.

History:

Exodus by Brian Wildsmith -- A retelling of the Exodus, including the 10 Commandments. Beautiful illustrations.

Encyclopedia Mythologica: Gods and Heroes Pop-Up by Reinhart and Sabuda -- This is such a fun book to look through (we have several pop-up books by this duo).

DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient Civilizations -- A great overview of the ancient world with lots of pictures and interesting notes to read.

The One-Stop Bible Atlas (One-Stop series) -- A visual tool for placing Biblical locations on the map.

Geography:
Follow the Line Around the World -- This book takes you to different countries around the world and features a maze-like line to follow continuously from cover to cover.

When on Earth? -- A great supplement to geography and timeline. This is on my to-buy list as well.

Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska -- This over-sized book is beautifully drawn and a pleasure to look through as an adult as well as for children.

Walk This World -- This lift-the-flap book takes you on a journey around the world. Can you guess the different countries from the visual clues?

Science:
Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World -- A favorite book for us over the last several weeks. My daughter even took it on a hike so that she could identify different plants from the lovely illustrations. This is one I am buying because it is a book we will use forever.

How Flowers Grow -- A simple introduction to plants and flowers, but perfect for little ones to read to themselves.

Fall Walk -- Each page features a close-up of a different leaf.

Before After -- This wordless book is full of "before and after" drawings. One page shows an acorn; the next shows the oak tree. Beautifully illustrated.

Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle -- We aren't learning specifically about the water cycle, but the topic fits in nicely with biology (and weather week 22).

Art:
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems -- We love this book! Each poem is written forwards and backwards. It's a great visual and verbal compliment to the study of mirror images.

Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Animals -- Simple instructions for drawing a variety of animals. Great to reinforce OiLs.

20 Ways to Draw a Tree and 44 Other Nifty Things from Nature: A Sketchbook for Artists, Designers, and Doodlers -- More simple drawings, this time centered on objects in nature. Great supplement to the nature hikes and studies.

Draw Write Now Book 2: Christopher Columbus, Autumn Harvest, Weather -- Step-by-Step instructions for drawing fall themed pictures. Other books in this series also cover other geography and animals from around the world.

Learn to Draw Insects: Step-by-Step Instructions for 26 Creepy Crawlies -- Great for basic drawing techniques and perfect tie-in with science.