Maple Leaves: Titles available for sale at Maple Tree Publications - your Canadian Charlotte Mason Resource Supplier

Dear Friends,

 

I have been talking to so many of you wonderful homeschoolers over the past few months at homeschool conferences, meetings, Newby workshops, and virtually by email, on the phone, or by Facebook.  I realize that chatting one on one with so many people has kept me from sharing with you what I have been telling all of them: we have so many new and exciting products at Maple Tree!

 

This became very evident at a recent conference: I was talking to one sweet mama at my little booth when she noticed the new Life of Fred Language Arts books on my table. The conversation went a little something like this:

 

Lovely Customer: Life of Fred Language Arts!  I didn’t know there was a Life of Fred Language Arts!

 

Me: Yup.  It’s brand new.  I just got it in stock recently.

 

Lovely Customer: But I didn’t know about it!  You have to tell your customers about it.  I want to buy it but I didn’t plan for it.  If you’d told me I could have planned to buy it.  Your customers want to know what you have in stock and what you sell.  You have to put these things on your blog.

 

Me: I wish I had time to do more blogging. Maybe you need to come and help out because working between 10pm and 2am is just not getting it all done anymore!

 

If you have come and chatted with me at a conference, you might think that I am quite the saleswoman since I am so enthusiastic about the books that we carry at Maple Tree.  On the contrary, I don’t want to clog up your mailboxes with tons of unwanted sales pitches.  Judging by the number of conversations that I have had recently with friends and customers though, I realize that I am not doing a very good job of letting you know how I can help with your homeschooling needs. 

 

So, here below, I am adding a brief list of all of the books that I currently carry.  Thanks for your grace, as you will see that many of these books are not currently listed on my website.  I so appreciate being a part of the homeschooling community and that you are all so understanding of the fact that things like home and school tend take away a lot of the time that I would like to devote to growing this little sapling into a giant forest. 

 

If there is a resource on this list that you would like to order and it is not yet listed on my website then please email me at mapletreepublications@sympatico.ca and I can help you to complete your order.  Remember that, as always, taxes are included in my prices and shipping to anywhere in Canada is only 15% (though you are welcome to save the shipping and pick up your order if you are close by our little store in Bradford, Ontario.)  I do also do special orders about once a month for items that are not a part of our regular stock on the list below.  Please let me know if I can be of any help as you prepare for the upcoming school year.

 

Blessings,

 

Cori

 

Maple Tree Publications

www.mapletreepublications.ca

mapletreepublications@sympatico.ca

905.778.9412

 

 

Maple Leaves….

 

Books Published by Maple Tree:

Come Sit By Me Volume One - $49

Come Sit By Me Volume Two - $49

Add Two Cups of Laughter - $16

My Reading Journal - $9.99

The Canadian Kids’ Daily Journal - $7

The Gloriously Groovy Girls’ Daily Journal - $7

Awesome Adventurous Boys’ Daily Journal - $7

The Nature Nuts’ Daily Journal - $7

The Great Canadian ArtPak - $49

Early Canadiana ArtPak - $24

Famous Canadian Painters ArtPak - $18

Group of Seven ArtPak - $24

The Ultimate Lapbook Handbook - $30

A Bunny, a Case and a World of Taste - $12

Working Together - $28

 

Parent-Teacher Resources

Educating the WholeHearted Child - $23.50

Read for the Heart - $18

A Charlotte Mason Companion - $21.50

For the Children’s Sake - $16.50

The Three R’s - $12.95

You Can Teacher Your Child Successfully - $15

A Biblical Home Education - $16

Honey for a Child’s Heart - $14

Pocketful of Pinecones - $18

Lessons at Blackberry Inn - $18

Original Homeschooling Series  - $62

Beyond Survival - $14

Reaping the Harvest - $14

The Living Page - $19

 

Other Resources

Do Hard Things - $19

Ministry of Motherhood - $17

Mission of Motherhood - $17

Raising a Modern Day Joseph $14

Dancing with my Father - $16

Desperate - $18

One Thousand Gifts - $18

Margin - $18

Fool Proofing - $9

 

Bible

Hero Tales Volume One - $16.25

Jesus Storybook Bible w/CDs - $28

Jesus Storybook Bible - $19

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 1: Genesis - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 2: Exodus - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 3: Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 4: Joshua, Judges & Ruth - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 5: 1 & 2 Samuel - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 6: Kings & Chronicles - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 7: Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 8: Psalms, Proverbs & the Writings - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 9: Isaiah, Jeremiah & the Prophets  - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 10: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 11: Acts - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible?  – Volume 12: Romans through Philemon - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Volume 13: General Epistles & Revelation - $15

Buck Denver Asks What’s in the Bible? – Christmas - $15

 

Life of Fred Elementary Math 

Apples

Butterflies

Cats 

Dogs

Edgewood

Farming

Goldfish

Honey 

Ice Cream 

Jelly Beans

$18 each or $170 for the set of 10 books

 

Life of Fred Intermediate Math

Kidneys

Liver

Mineshaft

$18 each or $52 for the set of 3 books

 

Life of Fred Before Highschool Math

Fractions  - $21

Decimals & Percents  - $21

Elementary Physics - $32 (This has been renamed Pre-Algebra 0 with Physics but is the exact same book)

Pre-Algebra 1 with Biology  - $32

Pre-Algebra 2 with Economics  - $32

$133 for the set of 5 books

 

Life of Fred Highschool Math

Beginning Algebra Expanded - $42

Zillions of Practice Problems: Beginning Algebra  - $32

 

Advanced Algebra Expanded - $42

Zillions of Practice Problems: Advanced Algebra  - $32

 

Geometry  - $42

Geometry Answer Key  - $8

 

NEW! Trigonometry Expanded - $42

NEW LOWER PRICE! $234 for the set of 7 books

 

Life of Fred: Financial Choices  - $21

 

Life of Fred College Math

Calculus $42

Calculus Answer Key $8

 

Linear Algebra $53

Linear Algebra Answer Key $8

 

Statistics $42

Statistics Answer Key $8

College Set of 6 books $157

 

NEW LOWER PRICE! Full Set of Life of Fred Math books $757

(includes Financial Choices; does not include Chemistry or Language Arts)

 

NEW! Life of Fred Language Arts:

Australia 

Begin Teaching

Classes

Dreams

$21 each or $80 for the set of four books

 

Learning Language Arts Through Literature

Blue Kit (Grade 1) - $105 includes teacher book, student book, readers and other material

Blue Student Book - $29

Red Kit (Grade 2) - $94 includes teacher book, student book, readers and other material

Red Student Book - $29

Yellow Teacher (Grade 3) - $29

Yellow Student - $23.75

Orange Teacher (Grade 4) - $29

Orange Student - $23.75

Purple Teacher (Grade 5) - $29

Purple Student - $23.75

Tan Teacher (Grade 6) - $29

Tan Student - $23.75

Green Teacher (Grade 7) - $29

Green Student - $23.75

Gray Teacher (Grade 8) - $29

Gray Student - $23.75

Gold American Lit (High school)- $29

Gold British Lit (High school) - $29

 

Other Language Arts

Simply Grammar - $27.50

Story Starters - $37.50

 

Canadian Authors

Janis Cox:

Tadeo Turtle - $13

 

Carolyn J Morris:

Mourning Dove - $13

Barn Swallows - $13

Pine Warbler - $13

NEW (Available August 21^st!) Chickadees at Christmas $13

Set of four books $40

 

Exploring Creation Series by Apologia

Elementary Series

 

Astronomy - $43

Astronomy Notebook (~Grades 4-6) - $26

Astronomy Notebook Junior (~K- Grade 2) - $26

 

Botany - $43

Botany Notebook (~Grades 4-6) - $26

Botany Notebook Junior (~K- Grade 2) - $26

 

Zoology 1 – Flying Creatures - $43

Zoology 1 – Flying Creatures Notebook (~Grades 4-6) - $26

Zoology 1 – Flying Creatures Notebook Junior (~K- Grade 2) - $26

 

Zoology 2 – Swimming Creatures - $43

Zoology 2 – Swimming Creatures Notebook (~Grades 4-6) - $26

Zoology 2 – Swimming Creatures Notebook Junior (~K- Grade 2) - $26

 

Zoology 3 – Land Animals - $43

Zoology 3 – Land Animals Notebook (~Grades 4-6) - $26

Zoology 3 – Land Animals Notebook Junior (~K- Grade 2) - $26

 

Human Anatomy - $43

Human Anatomy Notebook (~Grades 4-6) - $26

Human Anatomy Notebook Junior (~K- Grade 2) - $26

 

NEW! Chemistry & Physics - $43

NEW! Chemistry & Physics Notebook (~Grades 4-6) - $26

NEW! Chemistry & Physics Notebook Junior (~K- Grade 2) - $26

 

Middle School Series

Exploring Creation – Gen’l Science w/tests-$95

Exploring Creation – General Sci Ntbk - $37

General Science Comp CD - $19

 

Exploring Creation – Phys’l Science w/tests-$95

Exploring Creation Physical Sci Ntbk - $37

 

High School Series

Exploring Creation – Biology w/tests - $95

 

Exploring Creation – Chemistry w/tests - $95

 

Exploring Creation – Physics w/tests - $95

 

Reasonable Faith - $11

 

YAY! BACK IN PRODUCTION! Jonathan Park

Jonathan Park, Volume 1: The Adventure Begins - $25

Jonathan Park, Volume 2: No Looking Back - $25

Jonathan Park, Volume 3: The Winds of Change - $25

Jonathan Park, Volume 4: The Hunt for Beowulf - $25

Jonathan Park, Volume 5: The Explorers Society - $25

Jonathan Park, Volume 6: The Journey Never Taken - $25

Jonathan Park, Volume 7: The Voyage Beyond - $25

Jonathan Park, Volume 8: The Copper Scroll - $25

Jonathan Park, Volume 9: The Whispering Sphinx - $25

 

NEW! Life of Fred Science!

Life of Fred: Chemistry - $32

 

Mystery of History

Mystery of History Volume 1 - $55

Mystery of History 1 Companion CD - $23

Mystery of History Volume 2 - $55

Mystery of History 2 Companion CD - $23

Mystery of History Volume 3 Student $65

Mystery of History Volume 3 Companion $44

Mystery of History 3 Companion CD - $30

 

Story of the World

Story of the World Volume 1  - $18

Story of the World Activity Book Vol 1 - $37

Story of the World 1 CD - $42

Story of the World Volume 2  - $18

Story of the World Activity Book Vol 2 - $39

Story of the World 2 CD - $47

Story of the World Volume 3  - $18

Story of the World Activity Book Vol 3 - $39

Story of the World 3 CD - $52

Story of the World Volume 4  - $18

Story of the World Activity Book Vol 4 - $40

Story of the World 4 CD - $57

 

NEW!!! Finally Available in Canada:

Simply Charlotte Mason

Learning and Living DVDs & book - $150

Delightful Reading Kit - $62

My Word Book - $4

Delightful Handwriting Teacher - $14.50

Delightful Handwriting Copybook - $17

Child’s Copywork Reader Vol 1 - $9.50

Child’s Copywork Reader Vol 2 - $9.50

Child’s Copywork Reader Vol 3 - $9.50

Print to Cursive Proverbs - $17

Hymns in Prose Print Copybook - $12

Hymns in Prose Cursive Copybook - $12

Hymns in Prose for Children - $14

Hymns in Prose Teacher w/CD - $18

Mathematics $19

Genesis – Deuteronomy - $21.50

Discovering Doctrine - $14

Ancient Egypt - $18

Boy of the Pyramids - $16

Jashub’s Journal - $18

Visits to Africa - $18

Stuff They Left Behind – Egypt - $20

106 Days of Creation - $18

Laying Down the Rails - $30

Laying Down the Rails Children Set - $56

Laying Down the Rails DVD - $14

Early Years book- $21

Early Years book and DVD - $36

Planning Your CM education - $21

Handicrafts – Woodworking - $21.50

Handicrafts – Knitting - $21.50

Picture Study – Michelangelo - $20

Picture Study – Rembrandt - $20

Picture Study – Botticelli - $20

Picture Study – Van Gogh - $20

Picture Study – Monet - $20

Picture Study – Giotto - $20

 

A Wild Idea...

Okay Friends,

I am going out on a limb and going to try something different this fall with the kids. I am looking for ideas, help, partners, feedback? (Please, only positive feedback as I am aware that this is a crazy idea!)

My inspirations: 1) an amazing old pastor we met that has read his entire Bible every three months... For forty years! 2) people who do extreme things to follow their passions like, for example, the authors of The Hundred Mile Diet who were so passionate about healthful eating that they only ate food that was produced within a hundred miles of their home for a whole year, and
3) a sweet homeschooling family that attended a YWAM training week where (university aged) students read the whole Bible in a week. The older children in this family, aged seven and nine, participated in the full week and read the whole Bible with the other, much older students.

So... I have been praying about doing something special with our studies that would embrace our passions as well and have been impressed with this idea: we would like to start our school year by reading the whole Bible together in chronological order. I don't think we can do it in a week but maybe in two weeks or three. Our hope is to start on September 8th.

We will take turns reading corporately, will use some audio Bible and will also do some of the reading privately (for those old enough) and maybe with other friends for a bit, too.  I think we will try to make a timeline or keep our books of centuries handy as well as maps of the holy land.  I will likely have the girls do some narrative drawings or paintings while they listen daily.  I want to keep it fairly simple though.
My understanding is that it takes about 70 hours to read the Bible in full. That means it would take about 6 hours per day if done in two weeks with lesser readings on the weekend or would take about 4 hours per day if done in three weeks with lesser readings on the weekends.

What I'm looking for: 1) Advice, ideas, encouragement? 2) Comrades? Would anyone like to join us for encouragement, company and accountability? If you live nearby, we could meet up at a park a few days a week and read together and then take a break and play.

I am fully aware that we may not be able to fully finish this or may end up drawing it out and that we will miss many of the nuances that a slow and thoughtful read would give. On the other hand, I have found a “bird’s eye-view” very refreshing and have learned a lot from more intensive reading on my own lately.  I also realize that my younger kids will likely skip out on some reading and that's okay, too.  I figure though that we can't really go wrong by setting aside a special time to read the Bible intensively and that our reading, writing and 'rithmetic studies can't be terribly thrown off by starting a few weeks later than usual. I think that this can be a great educational experience as well a spiritual one.

Thoughts? Thanks.

Peace,

Cori

Maple Tree Publications
www.mapletreepublications.ca

mapletreepublications@sympatico.ca

905.778.9412

Free Newby Workshops for the Summer of 2014

Dear Friends,

Once again this year, in partnership with Henry and Corrinna Kiezebrink, I am offering free workshops to new homeschoolers (and those thinking of homeschooling) at my home in Bradford, Ontario. We will also be offering one in the Kiezebrink home near Barrie, Ontario.

If you are new to the homeschooling world or are considering this crazy lifestyle, then please feel free to come for a visit. These are interactive (question and answer style) small group workshops. If you, or someone you know, are interested in coming please RSVP directly to me at mapletreepublications@sympatico.ca as soon as possible as attendance is limited to 15 people (since I do have a very cozy living room) and the evenings usually do fill up.

You may come to my home on either of two dates: Thursday, July 24^th or Tuesday, August 12^th. Both evenings will run from 7:30-9:30. The Keizebrinks are hosting their workshop on August 7^th from 7:30-9:30.

Both Mom and Dad are welcome to attend though I respectfully ask that only parents and nursing babes attend as a full house and a late evening often make it hard for little ones to allow the adults the opportunity to get the most out of the workshop.

We will cover topics like:

Yikes! Can I do this!?!

Where can I go for support?

What are the legal implications?

Do I have to contact my local school board?

What about curriculum?

What is a “normal” homeschooling day like?

What about socialization!?!

Please come with questions!

And expect some yummy handouts too!

Henry and Corrinna Kiezebrink bring to these workshops 24 years of homeschooling experience while our little homeschool was established only 11 years ago.  While we aren’t experts, we do have a few years under our belts and hope to share the real deal on homeschooling, the good, the bad and the ugly.  We are obviously a bit biased towards homeschooling but do hope to share the truth about the pros and cons of adopting this crazy lifestyle.

Please feel free to share this invitation with friends and family who are new to homeschooling or who are considering it. You are also welcome to forward this information to your church group or other homeschool groups. See you in the summer!

Peace,

Cori

Maple Tree Publications

905.778.9412

www.mapletreepublications.ca

mapletreepublications@sympatico.ca

 

Seeking Discernment

We recently learned that our daughter needs to embrace a gluten free and dairy free lifestyle.  Until now I would've been one of the last people to jump on this band wagon that seems to be so prevalent now a days.  However, after seeing my daughter go through several months of pain and suffering and realizing that we had overlooked many symptoms before we started seeking medical and paramedical advice, my experience has changed my own skepticism. I have seen the need to change her diet validated by the evidence that has been presented.  This journey of the sceptic into dietary changes has reminded me of some of the key things that I learned as a student.

When I think back to my university days a few key lessons jump out at me.  One of those lessons was that we need to be very deliberate in our understanding and judgments because there's often information out there that we don't know.  I think I learned very well not to ever assume when I was in university when doing research and drawing conclusions. Very quickly I learned that if I didn't site my sources when making statements of fact I was quickly questioned and my writing lost its credibility. When that happened, I was just a lowly student with an idea that didn't necessarily stack up against all of the ideas that my professors had catalogued over the years.  I needed to make a conscious effort to find the proof for the idea I was arguing.

A second key lesson that I learned was that no matter what your position is on a particular idea or issue, there's always going to be someone with an education and a research grant who will substantiate your ideas - and especially more so now that we live in this intensely digitalization world.  So I learned to constantly question not just whether I was arguing well but was I arguing truth: "What is the root of this truth, this idea that I am espousing?  Where does my reasoning find a firm foundation?"

Both of these ideas, of substantiating my claims and using right reasoning, are ones that Charlotte Mason addressed directly nearly 100 years ago and I really appreciate her words when she speaks about the way of the will and the way of reason.

She says,

“There are two guides to moral and intellectual self-management to offer to children, which we may call 'the way of the will' and 'the way of the reason.'

The way of the will: Children should be taught, (a) to distinguish between 'I want' and 'I will.' (b) That the way to will effectively is to turn our thoughts from that which we desire but do not will. (c) That the best way to turn our thoughts is to think of or do some quite different thing, entertaining or interesting. (d) That after a little rest in this way, the will returns to its work with new vigour….

The way of reason: We teach children, too, not to 'lean (too confidently) to their own understanding'; because the function of reason is to give logical demonstration (a) of mathematical truth, (b) of an initial idea, accepted by the will. In the former case, reason is, practically, an infallible guide, but in the latter, it is not always a safe one; for, whether that idea be right or wrong, reason will confirm it by irrefragable proofs.

In other words while me must constantly exert an effort to do and think rightly, we must also recognize that our ability to reason is limited by our own understanding and so we can, of our own volition, defend and convince ourselves of ideas that are logically flawed. 

So, there is a need, both intellectually and spiritually, to find a firm foundation.  I love it that she turns us back to our Creator for this reasoning: Proverbs 3:5,6 says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV84). 

The way to guard against leaning to confidently on our own understanding: trust in the LORD with all our hearts! 

As I stumble through this life, there are many times when I will question the ideas that are presented to me and even worse, there will be many times that I embrace, without even realizing it, ideas that are flawed.  My best defense will always be to look to God for truth and knowledge on this crazy journey.  All the rest will fall into line.

Wishing you a peaceful day as you lean on the author of truth.

Blessings, Friends!

Cori

Drinking out of a Fire Hose

Well, the theme for my life lately has been balance.  I feel as though I am always struggling for balance.  Am I making sure that we get an appropriate amount of school done without making my kids feel like I am a slave driver?  Do I get enough time away or do my kids feel like I’m always gone?  Have I got enough rest and still got mount o’launder-us under control?  Are we all eating well?  Exercising? Balance seems so elusive and yet I see that there are times when it is more smooth sailing than others.

In the last two weeks, I feel like I’ve been completely toppled off of my teeter –totter.  Preparing for the great and crazy “conference season” always does that to me.  This is part of the balancing act, too: expecting to be knocked off kilter during seasons when the wind is blowing particularly hard and there is much to be done.  I have to remember to just get back up again.

A thought to share: it does get easier, this habit building thing.  The more I practice, the more I can find a groove that is slowly being dug in the tracks of my well-worn road of life.  I am reminded that Charlotte Mason writes a lot about building good habits and how they keep us from being run off of the rails of our lives.  I am still learning!  My kids are still learning. 

Are you striving for balance?  Keep up the fight!  It will become easier as time goes on. Remember that the bigger the chunk is that you bite off, the longer it will take to digest it.  If you want to gain more balance in your life, start with little bite-sized chunks and be content to make small gains.  Do you want to be healthier?  Start by adding exercise to your school routine once or twice a week.  Do you feel over-run by the noise of your busy home?  Set a timer once a day for 15 minutes of mommy time that can’t be interrupted so that you can read. (When my little cherubs interrupt this sacred pause, I often reset the clock.)  Know that we are all in this struggle together.  For me, right now, the struggle for health centres around getting a better sleep routine.  Conference season = drinking out of a fire hose of intensity so I need to learn to turn it off by 11pm.  That’s not been happening lately!  (So I’d better wrap this musing up soon.)

But first, I want to wish you all well as you strive for balance in your own life and the season you are facing. 

And if you find yourself at a homeschool conference in the near future, check and see if Maple Tree is there and come have a little visit Under the Maple Tree.  It’s always so much better to see people in real life rather than virtually.  I can’t wait to share with you some of the exciting new books that we have and some of the yummy seminars that I am pumped up about sharing with you.  I’m sticking to conferences in Ontario this year (= struggle for balance, remember?) so if you are out of my range then feel free to call or drop me a note to chat about life or books or homeschoolish kind of things.  All that is for later though – I’d better get some rest! 

Blessings,

Cori

www.mapletreepublications.ca

Drinking in the Season

I often struggle with prioritizing.  Sometimes I feel like there are so many things to do that I don’t know there to start.  It feels like I am trying to drink out of a fire hose.  But then, if I can draw some perspective and think through what exactly is worth doing, what needs to be done, what is important, I can often lessen the overwhelming flow.

How much more intense is this torrent during this season?  Thoughts of Christ in Christmas are hard to come by if I don’t initiate them myself.  They aren’t in the stores, the teachers aren’t allowed to mention them, the marketers would rather write fairy tales of gifts that bring happiness on Christmas morning.

So how do you keep your eye on the prize?  How do you remember that Jesus is the reason for the season?  How do your drink in the sweet grace of our encounter with the divine in the vulnerable form of a baby?

I would love to hear about how you and your family enjoy a Christ-centred Christmas in your home.  Please comment on the blog and share your ideas with all of us!

Here are a few ideas that we have tried or heard of:

1)      Make sure that your gift giving includes gifts for Jesus.  We started a family tradition of celebrating Jesus’ birthday the way we would other family and friends: cake and gifts for the birthday boy!  When we blow out the candles we one by one give him a gift of words of praise and then we choose gifts out of a Samaritan’s Purse or Gospel for Asia or other Christian charitable catalogue.

2)      Give gifts that emphasize the thought rather than the price tag.  A woman I spoke to recently said that in their family they draw names and each get a gift of a used book for the person they drew.  They have so much fun finding out what the person might like, discussing their literary tastes and hunting down the special treat.  A thoughtful and inexpensive way to love on your family.

3)      Before accepting invitations to gatherings, events and parties, decide who you most want to spend time with over the holidays and how often you want to go out and make sure that you protect your schedule from events that won’t fit these priorities.  With several birthdays in our extended family at this time of year, we find that often we have to choose to only accept invitations from family in December and plan to visit others in the New Year.

4)      Give gifts that are a double blessing.  Get a gift that will not only make a loved one smile but will also bless a needy person through a charity or will bless a local small business person who is trying to provide for their family (rather than a large corporation that is trying to pad their bottom line).  This year many of our gifts are home made by local artisans, by our family or are supporting charitable endeavours that are close to our hearts.

5)      Do less, enjoy God’s people more.  I have come to realize that the only way that we will have the house decorated, the children educated, the cookies baked, the cards sent, the house clean, and the packages wrapped is if the whole family is intensely involved.  When the kids were younger, this was next to impossible and even now, there is so much that we can’t accomplish in pursuing all of these traditions.  So ask yourself, can we do without baking? Can we send our love in a simpler way than having to mail Christmas cards?  Can our gifts consist of gifts of time to visit rather than rushes to the store with an overtired credit card?

As you prepare your hearts and homes for the celebration of the coming of Christ this season, I wish for you the opportunity to drink in the sweetness of the moments and really savour our Saviour.

Blessings,

Cori

www.mapletreepublications.ca

A Few Good Books

Hello All,

As many of you know, this Maple Tree is littered with many good reads and I am constantly shipping them out from our little space.  I thought I would let you know of a few good books that I have here and would love to share with you…

First our Clearance books.  These are all new books that are discounted because I have more than we need even at this busy time of year.

 

Charlotte Mason’s Original Homeschooling Series $50 (Regular $62!)

You Can Teach Your Child Successfully by Dr. Ruth Beechick $12 (Regular $14)
*Life of Fred: Beginning Algebra and Life of Fred: Beginning Algebra Companion $36 (Regular $48)
*Life of Fred: Advanced Algebra and Life of Fred: Advanced Algebra Companion $36 (Regular $48)
*These Life of Fred books are being replaced by a new volumes which combine the companion into the text.  In other words, these four books are now coming out as two books which will be $42 each.  As far as I can tell, the content is the same.*

I also have a hard cover, “scratch and dent” copy of You Can Teach Your Child Successfully available for $10.  There is no visible wear and very minimal damage.

As well, not wanting to jump into the Christmas shopping rat race, but also wanting to respond to the requests of some of my customers, if you have items that you are thinking of purchasing for your family and friends for Christmas and think that Maple Tree could help you out with them, I do very much appreciate your support of our small business from one home schooler to another.  I have in stock several items that you might have on your Christmas list including:

-          The Jesus Storybook Bible ($19)
-          The Jesus Storybook Bible with CDs ($28)
-          Jonathan Park CDs.  (I hope to have the newest volume, #9, in stock in the next week to 10 days!) ($25)
-          What’s in the Bible with Buck Denver DVDs by Phil Visher ($15)

Also, I am able to order thousands of other titles though a distributor that I am working with that supplies both homeschooling resources and many of the books and other items that you would might find at a general Christian bookstore.  Please let me know if you would like me to special order something in and I will see if I can help you with what you are looking for.  I plan to make an order this Thursday so please send all special orders in by Thursday at 10am.  Thanks!

Finally, as it is my goal to give gifts that are doubly beneficially this year, I also wanted to pursue items at Maple Tree that could be doubly beneficial.  As such I have started to carry a few titles by talented Canadian independent authors.  These books are a wholesome treat to have in your home and your purchase can also support independent Canadian authors and small businesses.

·         May I introduce to you a beautiful children’s picture book by Janis Cox called Tadeo Turtle.  Mrs. Cox is a very talented artist and has filled her book with amazing watercolour paintings.  The book is a story and learning opportunity about painted turtles and other animals and has a sweet moral to it about how we are all special because we are different.  There are many activities and learning extensions included in the book.  It retails for $13 and for Christmas I am shipping it for free! (These books are so new to Maple Tree that I don’t have them on my website yet but you can preview them here: http://www.janiscox.com/information/)

·         Carolyn j Morris is another independent Canadian author whose stories have been a treat in our home.  She has published three novels entitled Mourning Dove, Barn Swallows and Pine Warbler.  These novels are suitable reading for about a grade four level and up and can easily be enjoyed as a read aloud by younger children as well.  In the first story, the main character, Billy, is dealing with the recent loss of his father.  In this and all the stories the reader becomes acquainted with rural Canadian life as Billy spends a lot of time on his grandparents farm.  You will laugh and cry at the tender moments in these stories but will also learn some of the ins and outs of life on a farm in Canada.  A real treat.  These books also retail for $13 each but I have an introductory special of $12 each or all three for $30 plus shipping.  (You can read more about these books here: http://www.railfencebooks.com/books.php)

I hope that these few volumes will be of use to some of you.  Please let me know if I can help you with any of these titles or with a special purchase.

Blessings,

Cori

www.mapletreepublications.ca