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December 15, 2009 by: Renae

An Introduction to Marguerite Henry

Growing up I read book after book. However, very few of the volumes I read are remembered or revisited.

At the library I checked out whatever looked interesting: Nancy Drew mysteries, Grace Livingston Hill romance novels, or historical fiction. My random searches hid some amazing authors. Now I get to discover these imaginative writers with my children.

14858: Brighty of the Grand CanyonAfter lunch I read aloud Brighty of the Grand Canyon.

“One more chapter please!” begs my three-year-old.

Her five-year-old sister crowds close and grins widening bright blue eyes. Eleven-year-old brother peeks in almost every chapter. As the verbs bounce off my tongue, the suspense of the story pulls him away from Lego.

Our collection of Marguerite Henry’s horse books was rescued from the trash. Library books thrown out to make room for new stories. Brighty of the Grand Canyon taken home only once in eight years. Was this spirited burro on the shelf at my school library? If he was, I didn’t take him home either.

Marguerite Henry was not introduced to me in my youth. But I know her now.

Her stories are revisited often in this home. Benjamin West and his Cat Grimalkin roam the house resting next to Father’s side of the bed, then Mother’s. Justin Morgan Had a Horse cracks my voice and spills tears over my eyelids. Children gasp, “Why are you crying?”

For many reasons, I’m sure. Because life is full. Because ideas are powerful. Because children crowd around me to enjoy the lacing of words. Stories crafted to communicate ideas of liberty, hope, and faith. Morsels I want to savor together as we read book after book…

Written by Renae Deckard, Biblical Principled mother of 3. Find Renae’s reflections about homeschool and family life at Life Nurturing Education.

_________

If you subscribe to The Curriculum Choice, I apologize for the lack of updates lately. Our feed was not being sent out. That has hopefully been rectified. Thank you for your patience.

Renae (16 Posts)


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Comments

  1. Jenn says

    December 15, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    We read Justin Morgan Had a Horse last year. It never occurred to me to look for her other books. (Imagine my shame!) Thank you! I just checked and our library still has many of her stories. I am going to put them on my list.
    Jenn
    .-= Jenn´s last blog ..I’m a Winner =-.

    Reply
  2. Renae says

    December 15, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    Do hunt down Benjamin West and his Cat Grimalkin. It is by far our favorite.

    Reply
  3. Se7en says

    December 15, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    My daughter (8) just discovered Marguerite Henry and I think we may have lost her for the summer!!!
    .-= Se7en´s last blog ..Children Are People Too, Se7en Gripes… =-.

    Reply
  4. Jimmie says

    December 16, 2009 at 3:15 am

    I never read Henry’s books as a child either. Sprite has read many of these thanks to Beautiful Feet’s History of the Horse study. Brighty was her favorite one. She didn’t like Misty because she felt it was sexist against the female character. Those books were written in a different time, for sure.
    .-= Jimmie´s last blog ..Transportation in American Art =-.

    Reply
  5. Carol says

    December 16, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    I have not read her either, but appreciate the “heads-up” as I am always looking for books that will capture their hearts. Thank you! This author is on my library list now.

    Reply
  6. Renae says

    December 16, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    Jimmie,
    I actually haven’t read any of the other horse books that she wrote, but what an observation for your young daughter to make. My son was sad because the dad was so mean in beginning of Justin Morgan Had a Horse.
    .-= Renae´s last blog ..Our Jesse Tree =-.

    Reply
  7. Heather says

    February 27, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    I know this is an old post but I had to write and let you know that my son just finished reading “Brighty of The Grand Canyon” and he loved it! We recently had snow here (only 7 snow days in the last decade!) and he made a snow sculpture of Brighty. Just wanted to say thanks for sharing this author with our family!

    Reply
    • Renae says

      February 28, 2010 at 1:38 am

      Heather,
      Thank you so much for sharing! I know when I started homeschooling, I had lots of curriculum, but I didn’t know what books to look for. I’m glad you found a new author friend. 🙂

      Do you have pictures of your son’s sculpture?
      .-= Renae´s last blog ..Silencing the Background Noise or Why I Blog =-.

      Reply
  8. Cheerful says

    November 29, 2011 at 3:48 am

    I wanted to jump in on this post…a year or so later and say that as I child I read so many of her books and loved them. Misty of Chinoteague is one of my all time favorite stories. Check it out. Your kids will love it!

    Reply

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