Home School Product Reviews

We started out the school year using different curriculum but needed to step up the work just a bit and came across this website and this package was exactly what I was looking for. I had other parents recommend the same books Timberdoodle did so I knew their recommendations were reputable. All of these books are wonderful. I have organized our week so we do the work in about 45 minutes a day which is perfect for this age. Timberdoodle has always done a wonderful job answering all my questions in detail. I absolutely love this website and the packages they have put together. We will be back next year for first grade and soon to add another child. I do supplement a bible lesson and have fun Fridays with additional games to supplement this package as it really covers the core subjects. Thank you so much.

Andrea Patton

Chico, CA

Core Homeschool Curriculum are available for Preschool-10th Grade.

Charlotte Mason Companion

By reading this book (Charlotte Mason Companion) you will learn what your homeschool could be.  My children love this way of learning and I love it too.  I get to read living books to them not textbooks that are boring.  My children are in grades preschool through highschool.  We love to learn and have fun too.

Mom from

Defiance, OH

Hexbug

My kids got Hexbugs for Christmas and positively LOVED them.  They played with them a lot and enjoyed them very much… until they started having problems.  One Hexbug got kicked (not really hard, and not into anything) and a leg came off on Christmas day.  And now, in mid-January, another’s legs have gotten bent out of shape enough that it won’t walk.  These are good toys for very careful children who will treat them as the breakable toys that they are.

Parents like this stuff as much as the kids.

We bought Bubber and putty for some of our children at Christmas. It all was a BIG hit with the kids. Today I am ordering one more Bubber and an additional putty…for me and my husband. Yes, the parents like this stuff as much as the kids.

Kathe Kruse Nicki Baby

There’s just something about the Nicki Baby.  Unlike my daughter’s other baby dolls, Nicki is just full of personality.  She’s friendly and soft and cuddly and I even find myself picking her up and cuddling her.

I bought one for my one-year-old for Christmas and when it first came I was a little surprised at the size.  It was smaller than I imagined it would be.  I was picturing Beanie Baby bear size and it was a little smaller than that.  But then I saw it in my tiny daughter’s arms and I realized it was just right for her.  She loves to hug it and cuddle it.  And I love tucking her in at night with it because I know it’s soft and won’t make her uncomfortable when they both shift positions in their sleep.

I’m a rather frugal person and normally I wouldn’t pay $17.50 for a small doll, but I don’t regret buying Nicki Baby at all.  She has totally charmed me.

Kathe Kruse Nicki Baby is available in 5 colors at timberdoodle.com

Balancing the Sword

Balancing the Sword is for a serious fill in the blank kind of kid or adult.  It overwhelmed even my most dedicated workbook oriented child.  I think it is very thorough, but there is so much out there I think is better.

Find out why Balancing the Sword received 5 stars from 4 other reviewers. Additional Balancing the Sword reviews here.

Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2

EVERYTHING is explained!

After using Saxon and ABeka math for years, our children have really enjoyed the switch to Teaching Textbooks.  EVERYTHING is explained! Teacher preparation time is a minimum.  This curriculum has interesting facts about the history of mathematics woven into the lessons; witty tutorial computer CD’s that visibly teach and are searchable by problem; and student-friendly grading keys. It is the perfect 4th-12th mathematics curriculum!!

Are you ready to switch math curriculum? Learn more about Teaching Textbooks.

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

I heard about this (Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons) book from my sister who had used it with her children.  I used it with my two youngest sons when they were about 3.  I remember I was almost in tears, when my middle son read a stop sign.  With my youngest, we got through most of it, but it gave him the tools he needed to be a solid reader.  He is a bookworm, even now at 16.  My sister did use it with her kids at around 2 1/2.   Our kids were early talkers so maybe a rule of thumb would be to use as soon as they start developing language skills.

This book worked wonderfully for my boys. One does need to read the parent instruction carefully, I read it more than once to make sure I followed the program (being the stick-to-the rules accountant that I am).  The only regret is that I did not have this book to use with my oldest son, he learned to read by 4 but he does not have the same enjoyment of reading as my youngest two.

Wahoo - Pink

When I first saw this in the catalog I thought it was so silly. I thought that I’d never pay that much for a blow up toy that would probably wind up in the corner. Then I watched the little video and thought about it some more and decided that my 2 year old might really like it. I showed my husband and he said, “No.” Then we went to a toy store where they had one blown up and my 2 year old ran and jumped on it right away. My husband changed his mind. The problem was they wanted almost $50! So we ordered one from Timberdoodle for Christmas. Wahoo was the favorite gift. My 2 year old jumped on it’s back and hopped around with it, danced with it, sat on it, kissed it, carried it around, told me she loved it, and covered it up with a blanket. My only regret is that I didn’t get on for the 4 year old because she is all over it wanting one too.

Wahoo is available from Timberdoodle in Blue and Pink