Seek Learning from the Best Books
Patterns and Paradigms
“I read somewhere that every inch of rope used in the British Navy has a strand of red in it, so that wherever a bit of it is found it is known. That is the text of my little sermon to you. Virtue, which means honour, honesty, courage, and all that makes character, is the red thread that marks a good man wherever he is. Keep that always and everywhere, so that even if wrecked by misfortune, that sign shall still be found and recognized. Yours is a rough life, and your mates not all we could wish, but you can be a gentleman in the true sense of the word; and no matter what happens to your body, keep your soul clean, your heart true to those who love you, and do your duty to the end.”
—Mrs. Jo to Emil as he leaves for a sea voyage, in Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott
I recently finished reading the entire Little Women series by Louisa May Alcott, and I found myself feeling—as one often does when coming to the end of a piece of great literature—a little sad that the story had come to an end. I had been so uplifted by the inspiring tale of this family, whose purpose was to love each other and raise up a righteous generation, nurturing the best characteristics and moral fortitude of each individual. I am embarrassed to confess, however, that I had only found the time to enjoy this literary journey to its end after I had committed myself to a social media fast. Thus, it was a lesson re-learned for me: Far more worthwhile than doom-scrolling, time spent in a beautiful book is so meaningful and beneficial! I was reminded that reading classical literature gives us a window through which to observe the experiences and wisdom of the ages. And, inviting beloved characters like Mrs. Jo (quoted above) into our homes teaches us about faith and inspires us to be better people!
One of my favorite things about homeschool has been the opportunity to share great literature with my children, both as part of a course of study and as a fun and wholesome shared experience. Even now, with most of my children grown and flown, I still emphasize reading from the best books in our homeschool. Sometimes we read these books together, and sometimes we read them individually. Currently, my 14-year old son and I are reading aloud each book in the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis during our morning devotionals. We are also reading The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving as part of his literature coursework, and his homeschool book club group is reading The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. And I have several other books on deck that I can’t wait to read together!
Reading aloud Little Lord Fauntleroy to my children during lunch.
2014
Classical literature often comes from history’s greatest authors, whose works stand up to the test of time. The content of these books is relevant and relatable no matter how many times we return to them. The best books are a joyful addition to a family homeschool. Many popular books that children are reading in schools are disrespectful and full of inappropriate language and content. But, in our homes, we have the privilege of sharing beautiful literature and stories that inspire!
We can continue to read aloud to our children long after they become proficient readers; this helps us to develop our relationships with them in an enjoyable and educational way. Research by Margaret Merga (https://theconversation.com/research-shows-the-importance-of-parents-reading-with-children-even-after-children-can-read-82756 ) reveals that the benefits of reading with our children include “facilitating enriched language exposure, fostering the development of listening skills, spelling, reading comprehension and vocabulary, and establishing essential foundational literary skills. They are also valued as a shared social opportunity between parents and their children to foster positive attitudes toward reading.”
Divine Principles
In October 2000, Elder Douglas L. Callister spoke in General Conference about the importance of becoming conversant with the Holy Spirit by choosing activities that refine our spirits, such as through great music and literature. He explained that the beautiful things of the world are pleasing to our Heavenly Father and are attractive to the spiritually-minded. He stated, “It pleases our Father in Heaven when we … note the beauty of our environment, which we will naturally do as we become more spiritually sensitive. Our awareness of grand music, literature, and sublime art is often a natural product of spiritual maturity.” He also noted Thomas Jefferson’s practice of reading something ennobling just before going to bed, “whereon to ruminate in the intervals of sleep” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2000/10/seeking-the-spirit-of-god?lang=eng).
As we read from the best books with our children, our spirits become more refined and we learn moral lessons through timeless stories and characters. We are drawn to the people we meet in these books as we observe their struggles, dreams, challenges, and choices. We learn from the way our favorite characters choose to live (or not) by a moral compass, and we see the consequences of their successes and failures. We cheer for them when they win, and we cry with them when they suffer loss. We become more empathetic and inspired to be people of integrity.
Personal Application
Sometimes when we have leisure time, we have to remind ourselves to put down our phones and focus on things of higher value. I suggest that one of the things on which we can focus is reading excellent, classical literature! Whether you read aloud to your children, or simply want to encourage them to read on their own, look for books of high literary value that build faith and character and bring your children closer to the goodness and light of Jesus Christ. Find a good reading list, or start with your old favorites and build from there. Seeking to learn from the best books is an important part of a joyful home education!
Counsel and Record
Share with your spouse (or a parent or a friend) what you have learned about reading classical literature with your children. Discuss how you can adapt activities or lessons to include opportunities to read aloud from and discuss the “best books”. Remember to prayerfully ask for the Spirit of the Lord to be in your midst as you gather as a family to learn. Write down your thoughts, impressions, and conclusions.
