I am so flip’in excited to share with you how we are exploring geography through literature!
As many of you know, our homeschool thrives on read alouds, games, art, and nature exploration. This combination works beautifully for my children and for my family.
But, sometimes it can be challenging to know which great books pair well with our current study. It takes loads of effort to search Pinterest and the Internet for fantastic picture books and to then search for them in our local library.
I LOVE when someone else does all this work for me.
Geography Through Literature with Beautiful Feet Books
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement for more information. I received access to Beautiful Feet Books Around the World with Picture Books at no cost in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I only choose to share resources that I would use with my own family and those that I believe other families will enjoy.
I’ve had my eyes on Beautiful Feet Books for some time now. If you’re unfamiliar with their curriculum, then allow me to fill you in…
Visualize with me, BOOKS!
Gorgeous BOOKS!
Lovely BOOKS!
Rich BOOKS filled with culture, fables, folktales, poetry, and history!
*Swoon*
Geography Through Literature: Around the World with Picture Books
Imagine my excitement when I reached out to them about reviewing their curriculum and they said, “YES!”
There may have been a little happy dance in the middle of the kitchen…
Seriously, Beautiful Feet Books offer history and geography curriculum through literature.
Did you see all the books?
We were so excited when the box of books arrived! The kids wanted to read them ALL right then and there…
We are a family of book lovers!
In case you didn’t know…
If you and your kids LOVE books, then you’ll LOVE Around the World with Picture Books.
Around the World with Picture Books: A Literature-Rich Geography Curriculum
Beautiful Feet Books is a Charlotte Mason style, literature-rich curriculum. The Around the World with Picture Books is a geography program for elementary students and encompasses Asia, Antartica, Australia, and Africa. More specifically your child will learn about:
- China
- Japan
- Thailand
- India
- Antarctica
- Australia
- Morocco
- Egypt
- Tanzania & Kenya
- Ghana
This Award Winning Curriculum is Recommended for Grades K-3rd
Because the Around the World with Picture Books is recommended for grades K-3rd it was easy for our 5-year-old to learn right along with us. It was effortless to incorporate the picture books into our morning read alouds and steaming mugs of coffee.
Also, this curriculum was flexible enough that our 10-year-old was learning new and interesting things. He was able to dive deeper into each country and enjoy the exciting information he found.
All the books chosen for this study include either classic works, award-winning books, or newer books that have achieved critical acclaim.
Around the World with Picture Books includes the following:
- Around the World with Picture Books Study Guide Part 1
- Student Notebook
- MAPS
- Anno’s China by Mitsumasa Anno
- The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack
- Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
- The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks by Katherine Patterson
- Crow Boy by Taro Yashima
- The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland
- Once a Mouse… by Marcia Brown
- Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho
- The Story of Little Babaji by Helen Bannerman
- The Emperor’s Egg by Martin Jenkins
- Mirror by Jeannie Baker
- The Day of Ahmed’s Secret by Florence Parry Heide
- Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees by Franck Prévot
- Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson
Geography Through Literature: Around the World with Picture Books
Using these picture books, Around the World with Picture Books covers nature study, folktales, fables, art, poetry, and history. Geography includes country maps and flags for your children to cut out, paint, or color.
Additional picture book suggestions, as well as history and biography recommendations, are given in the study guide.
Nature Geography Connection
Drawings of indigenous animals are provided for each country of study. Helpful websites and links are provided for each animal so that children can research and learn more about these remarkable animals.
Culture and Geography Connection
Each country has its own unique and rich culture. With Around the World with Picture Books, your child will explore each country’s culture.
During our China study, we explored Chinese brush painting, one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world!
It was so fun!
Beautiful Feet Books: Geography Through Literature
My kids are LOVING geography this year because its filled with amazing literature! But it’s also filled with hands-on activities like painting, cooking, and journaling.
One way we made this curriculum our own was by incorporating our Pin It Maps into our studies in addition to the MAPS book included in the curriculum!
Get Started with Beautiful Feet Books
The study guide encourages you to be flexible, and allow for spontaneity! In other words, make this geography curriculum work for your unique family! Make it your own by following rabbit trails, exploring, discovering, and enjoying the journey of Around the World with Picture Books!
I am absolutely giddy over this program and all that it offers!
If you’re interested in incorporating beautiful literature studies into your homeschool, then you can get started with Beautiful Feet Books!
Geography Through Literature with Beautiful Feet Books
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Now tell me, do you use literature to teach geography?
I’ve been eyeing this for morning time geography study in our house. You may have said this in your post and if you did, I apologize, but approximately how long does a lesson take? Thanks 🙂
It really depends on you, your kids, and how quickly you want to move through a lesson. I find that some lessons we can move through in a matter of 15-30 minutes. Especially when we are just reading the picture books! Then other lessons, like the cooking or art, can take longer depending on what we’re creating. It is recommended that you complete 4 lessons per week for a semester study or 2 lessons per week for a year-long study. But I just go with the flow of my kiddos and their interest levels. I hope that helps answer your question.
It does- thank you! Sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach when it comes to curriculum- haha. I’m trying to not overplan as our family dynamics will be changing in a couple months (baby #4 on the way)- I don’t want to burden myself with too much until I know how things will work out with a new babe 🙂 Thanks again!
Congratulations on baby #4!!!
HI, I am sorry about my earlier questions about using this for older children as well as youngerl. I read through the review again and noticed I missed some of your review. Specifically the part where you talk about your older son joining in! Sorry about that! Thanks for the review!
No worries!
Thank you!
Hi, I have been looking at this since it has been released. Would you say a 10 or 11 year old could use this? I know the website states k-3rd. My son is 4th grade this year but my daughter is in 2nd. I am wondering if it would be appropriate for them both to do next year. Thanks!
Yes, My 10-year-old is using this program and it’s working beautifully! We check out the additional library books for him to read and any others he may find of interest. This is a wonderful geography program!
You had me at books LOL!
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about Beautiful Feet Books. I’d love to try it out!
It is absolutely fabulous and is working beautifully for my kids!
So many pretty pictures! I love that big MAPS book. The vintage illustrations are something my kids would spend hours looking at!
My kids get lost in the MAPS book! There is just so much to discover!
Looks like a great program to use
It really is! Especially for kids that love read alouds, nature, art, and cooking!
We’d love to see you link up with on Tuesdays at our Love to Learn Linky: http://www.ourunschoolingjourney.com/2018/01/love-to-learn-playing-games.html
Wow! We tend to study geography and history through books anyway but having them all set out for you is fantastic. Pinned!