Home education books

A range of books which will help with advice and information on home education.

To purchase any of the books or to find out more then click on the book image.

Growing Up Without School by Bernice Zieba

This is a really useful and interesting book written by Bernice Zieba, who has home educated some of her seven children for six years. The book covers the different approaches that home educators choose to take and shows that home education can be adapted and suited to the individual needs of your family and child(ren) as well as some ideas for informal learning. A particularly fascinating read are the interviews with other homeschooling families in the United Kingdom (where homeschooling is legal), all with various reasons for home educating and different ways of doing it. The book then moves on to interviews with families from other parts of the world, including Germany, where homeschooling is not legal, yet families have done what they think is the best thing for their child.

You will be interested to find the out about famous people that have been home-schooled; Venus and Serena Williams, Beatrix Potter, Thomas Edison and Williard S. Boyle (a Nobel Prize winner) amongst many others. These are people who have gone on to be hugely successful without a formal school education. The book also covers the questions that almost all people will ask those who homeschool and the author has given in depth answers which are well explained and backed up with examples. Towards the end of the book are reasons why you might want to consider home education based on experiences from other families; this is followed by practical hints and tips from setting up a work space to documenting what your child has done.

If you are a home educator or considering it then this book is definitely worth reading; it is informative and practical and finding out about how other families have found the home education journey is insightful, especially if you don't know any other home educators to talk to about what to expect. The book is written in a very open and non opinionated way and although the author draws upon her own experiences she looks as all aspects and the points of view of others to create this comprehensive handbook. I also believe that those who are a little sceptical about homeschooling would benefit from reading this as they would understand it so much better. Click image to buy.

Who's Not in School by Ross Mountney

Who's Not in School is the first of two books by Ross Mountney, a former home educator. This book follows Harry for a week, he is the youngest child in a family who are home educated. Harry spends his days going on adventures; sometimes behind the sofa, sometimes in the supermarket and sometimes he likes to do experiments like his older brother and sister do, but he ends up filling the toilet with bricks.  Harry plays with other children from the home educating groups that they meet up with and we learn that he doesn't just have his adventures during the week, he has them at the weekends too!

Who's Not in School is illustrated by James Robinson, who was also home educated. The illustrations really appeal to children as there is just so much going on in each picture, take a moment to ask your child what else they can see going on. A lovely book which children will enjoy reading along with you and home educating families will be able to pick up on similarities in their own lives. Click image to buy.

The Wrong Adventure by Ross Mountney

We join Harry and his family again for another story from Ross Mountney, who is a former home educator. Harry loves to explore the world and he is inspired to dig an escape tunnel after learning about them with his older siblings. He digs a tunnel which goes right under the fence and comes out in the garden next door! After he thinks that he is lost next door, he gets a bit upset and decides that he was on the wrong adventure and is very glad to finally see his Dad.

Children will love the adventures that Harry has and children of home educated families will enjoy this book as they are able to relate to some of the day to day activities and family life. The Wrong Adventure is beautifully illustrated again by James Robinson, who was himself home educated. Click image to buy.

A Home Education Notebook by Ross Mountney

This is a fabulous book for any home educator, those considering it, or if you simply want to know more about it. Ross Mountney created a blog so that she could offer help and encouragement to home educators, A Home Education Notebook is a collection of her articles, arranged over 52 chapters which makes it very easy for the reader to pick and choose the articles that have the most relevance to them at that point. Each chapter covers topics that most home educators will have wondered or questioned at some point and the author leaves you reassured about the decisions you make and the way you do things by not only drawing upon personal experiences, but also giving practical advice.

The articles are informative and written in an friendly manner with plenty of humour and honesty. A great book to pick up when you are unsure if you are doing it right and the author reminds us that "every home educating family is different and is entitled to make their approach different to everyone else's". A Home Educators Notebook is full of helpful hints and tips; we'd highly recommend to all new and more experienced home educators. Click image to buy.