the creative family

I was excited to receive an advance copy of Amanda Soule's new book. The Creative Family is her sweetly inspiring collection of projects, ideas and thoughts on family life at home. Home with little ones- precious, curious children just beginning their own creative adventures. Like her blog, the book is a clever handbook of the ways that a family can simply play and learn together, enriching each other's creativity with imagination and invention.

I am loving this little book- small enough that it sits perfectly on top of the stack here. It is beautifully designed and easy to dip into, though harder to put down. Most of all, I love the way that Amanda's parenting style fills their lives with creative discovery. Children are natural teachers too, their gentle ways instilling respect and affection for siblings, a calmer pace for the household. I like the accessible crafts that the family has created- sewn, built, mixed from simple materials and resources. Handmade knitting needles (how cool!), art-on-the-go bags, a banging wall from kitchen pots and pans. Rituals, traditions, parlor games, all within budget, without commercially marketed products. Fabulous, thrifty, home-made fun.

I confess that it happily reminds me of this, my own record of those extraordinary days. I do believe that parenting is the best gift life has to offer, even though it's a supreme challenge, start to finish. You know how you hear people jokingly say over the heads of their children, Where's the owner's manual? I think it's here, in the pages of thoughtful books like Amanda's. This wonderful book reminds us that there is no better, or more natural way to nurture our children- and ourselves- than with our own enthusiasm, patience, care and creativity.

Now I'm going to make myself a banging wall. Everyone should have one of those!

Comments

[clarice]

.I am so looking forward to getting this book. I loved hearing your review. It is wonderful to see books that revere the family. Clarice

[ArtsyMama]

Great review, Charlotte! I just got a copy tonight and can't wait to sit down with it:)
Kari

[Crystal]

As you know, I have a copy of your Mothers & Daughters and I so love that book!

[judy]

Oh. A banging wall. Why didn't I think of that?

I will be looking for this book! Thanks for sharing.

[Kim H]

I so have to get this book!

[Debbie]

Charlotte!

OMG! I am a regular reader of your blog and never knew we had the connection of your BOOK!

I have 2 daughters and a son (19,16 and 12) and when my girls were little my mom gave me your book!

How wonderful to know the author a little bit now! Thank you for sharing this.

Debbie

[Debbie]

Charlotte!

OMG! I am a regular reader of your blog and never knew we had the connection of your BOOK!

I have 2 daughters and a son (19,16 and 12) and when my girls were little my mom gave me your book!

How wonderful to know the author a little bit now! Thank you for sharing this.

Debbie

[Amy Ragland]

I also have a copy of your Mothers and Daughters at Home book and I adore it! :) Makes me happy. I can't wait to check out Amanda's new book. :)

[Jessica]

Looks like a cute book...I'll have to check it out!

[Kelley]

Thanks for the recommendation! My girls and I spent last summer devouring your crafts in your book. :D

[Heidi Woodruff]

How sweet that you got to see this book in advance. It sounds like it will be a impressing book for young mother, maybe? I still *love* your Mothers and Daughters book, it's one of my favorites!

*Heidi*
Everyday Cookies blog

[melissa @ the inspired room]

I'm sure it will be a wonderful book, thanks for sharing its publication! Moms sure do need inspiration like only you extraordinarily crafty moms can offer! I wish I had BOTH of these books when my girls were small!

xoxo
Melissa

[julie (jane's apron)]

I love this post. A lot. Once again, I have linked to you from my blog. Thanks Charlotte!

[Angel Jem]

I'm waiting for my copy of the creative family to arrive... hopefully before the weekend so I can sit down and read it cover to cover.