Buzzy and the River Rats
Book 1 - Buzzy Moves In

John Clarke Hoffman

Softbound

Minor crimp in lower right hand corner on front - otherwise in new condition.

Regular price: $12.95

Clearance Price: $9.95

One morning in the summer of 1954 in the Catskill Mountain town of Delhi, NY, the Fancher family moved into a vacant house on Elm Street. Buzzy Fancher's arrival heralded the beginning of many adventures for the group of boys who rallied around him and called themselves the River Rats. Their adventures sometimes brought them face to face with the tough uptown Trucker gang, but most of all they experienced the excitement, friendships, mishaps and young romance of growing up in 1950's small-town America.

The subject matter is quite appropriate for children from about grades 3 through 6 or 7, depending in large part on the particular interests of the child. This is a great "first novel" for children reading fluidly at about 5th grade level or beyond. These stories are wholesome, interesting, and well-written; told by a teacher who lived them (or wished he had!). Highly recommended.

On Reading and Writing
towards a phenomenology and pathology of literacy

Karl König

Softbound

A number of books arrived with a variety of minor damage: scuffing, bent corners, etc. - otherwise in good condition.

Regular Price: $34.95

Damaged Price: $32.95

I can't begin to describe how much I love this story and the fact that Shelley Davidow has so much insight and such an understanding of children that she created it. The Wise Enchanter actually makes me wish that I could go back to the time before I learned to read and enter the magic world of words through this rich and wonderful door. I especially love that the story is so very like the worlds I created for myself in those pre-written-word days, yet carries with it the assurance that there are depths of goodness in the world and that searching for them is a worthy, yea, necessary thing to do. What could be a better way to introduce our written language to a child? This book is a beautiful creation and a gift to treasure.

Here's a small sample, from the Prologue:

[The Wise Enchanter is on his magical island, and is troubled. He has called his daughter, Gadrun, to him.]

Gadrun ran to her father. A frown creased her brow. "Dear father," she said, "I see that you are worried."

"I am getting old," he replied. "Without Wisdom, there can be no new Enchanters after I am gone. No children have come to my island for many years. It is happening just as I feared. Wisdom is fading in the world. Words are disappearing. The brightness in the sky is vanishing and the dark Cloud of Ignorance has grown suddenly dense. A new darkness is looming. Someone is being created in the deep. He is growing stronger every minute. If he is not stopped, he will grow immense. If he grows strong enough, he will rise up and devour every word and sound. The earth will become a cold, silent place, too terrible to imagine."

"Who are you talking about?" Gadrun whispered.

"I do not like to utter his name," her father whispered. "But I will say it for you. His name is the Master of Ignorance and Shadows. His name is Urckl!"

Gadrun grew pale and silent at the mention of Urckl. Once, some time ago, Urckl had found enough strength to send one of his messengers to the end of the world. Something terrible had happened then in the Enchanted Islands and Gadrun's heart had been broken.

And thus, the adventure begins.

I should add that The Wise Enchanter is filled with soft black-and-white drawings that you can easily transform into main lesson drawings for the child(ren) you are teaching to recreate as each letter is rescued from darkness.

This is a wonderful, vibrant, masterful book -- may your journey through it be rich and rewarding!

A Living Physiology

Karl König

Softbound

Several copies arrived with a variety of scuffing, folds, damaged corners etc. acquired in transit - otherwise in good condition

Regular price: $34.95

Damaged Price: $32.95

A Living Physiology is a phenomenological exploration of the human being that we believe can become as important a resource as Steiner's Foundations of Human Experience (aka Study of Man). As a physician with a specialty in homeopathy and long experience with developmental disabilities, König was wonderfully qualified to develop and unite biological physiology with Steiner's spiritually-based biological insights. In this book he brings the two together and places them before us in ways that enable us to also see and understand others and ourselves in ways that can open our hearts and inspire our will to help and to transform.

König discussions of 'The Circle of the Senses', 'The Four Lower' and 'The Three Higher' senses detail the inner experience and organ of each of the twelve senses, the effect on the self and the aberrations, developmental handicaps and fundamental soul experiences for each sense.

'The Seven Life Processes' are related to the senses, ethers, planetary spheres, endocrine glands and pathologies. 'The Temple of our Existence' builds on the second coming of Christ in the realm of the etheric and the four kings in Goethe's Fairy Tale. König describes the cosmic evolution, embryological development and psychological development of the four meteorological organs – the heart, bladder/kidney, liver and lungs.

There is a treasure chest of discover and insight between these covers - highly recommended!

An Overview of the Waldorf Kindergarten
Articles from the Waldorf Kindergarten Newsletter
1981-1992

Waldorf Kindergarten Association

Minor damage along spine

Regular Price: $19.95

Damaged Price: $16.95

An Overview gathers together articles that both explain and seek to share the Waldorf Kindergarten experience. In it you will find information ranging from snacks to music to working with young children with a variety of behavioral and learning difficulties. The breadth of the topics and the liveliness of the discussions makes it one of the most valuable resources for our work with young children. There is practically no aspect of daily life in a Waldorf Early Childhood class that is not addressed. An invaluable resource!

Native American Gardening
Stories, Projects and Recipes for Families

The practical activities from Keepers of Life

Michael J Caduto and Joseph Bruchac

Softbound

Replaced by Keepers of Life

Regular Price: $15.95

Clearance Price: $12.95

For those who already have Native Plant Stories or whose preference is to get right to work in the soil and the kitchen, Native American Gardening presents the practical activities found in Keepers of Life.

I personally love the way this book unites Native garden traditions with modern approaches to composting and planting. It is possible to learn the full spectrum of the art of gardening from this book, it is that complete. To be able to do so from within a tradition that so honors the Earth is a privilege. It is really a treasure of things to do outdoors, so much so that I predict anyone who uses it will find it hard to go back inside once "gardening time" is over.

Do enjoy! Especially for 5th grade in the Waldorf curriculum.

A Journey through Waldorf Homeschooling
Grade 4

A Little Garden Flower Curriculum Guide

Melissa Nielsen

Softbound

Includes the unabridged, illustrated book, The Children of Odin by Padraic Colum!!

Regular Price: $32.00

Clearance Price: $18.00

Marvelous! Melisa's Grade 4 Journey offers so many things that I've never before seen brought together, including many things I've never before seen addressed in print. All in all, this book addresses not just Grade 4 and the needs of those students, but all of us, our families and life itself, in what is becoming an increasingly confusing and challenging world.

First, Grade 4 in the Waldorf curriculum can be perplexing to many people. Just what is going on with all these Norse myths, anyway? And, why won't the children sit still and listen they way they did last year? Those two questions turn out to be intimately related -- Melisa's delvings into them are simply splendid. You'll discover for yourself how nourishing and useful they are.

Then, I want to comment especially on Chapter 4, aptly titled "Inner Work for Self and Family." Of course, any inner work we do really always begins with outer reality. Never have I seen this fact presented in such a crystaline way: Melisa begins from the heart of the matter with "Blending a family from hate to harmony." Her decision to share her journey and that of others through divorce and remarriage, through the trials and joys of blending two families into one is a huge gift. The authors offer it up with such heart that I found myself feeling uplifted and empowered through tears of recognition.

It is not by chance that this topic should appear in a book created to help adults teach 4th graders -- like one of Thor's lightening bolts, it strikes with brilliance the experience of being a 4th grader, and shines a light on how that experience is one we all share.

Additionally, Melisa has had the generosity to include the entirety of Padraic Colum's Children of Odin, one of the best resources for vibrant, 4th-grade-ready, Norse myths. What a treat to find it right there, ready and waiting!

As you can see, I believe this is a wonderful, inspired curriuculm guide. Do enjoy!

Contents:

• Foreword by Michael Rivera
• Introduction
• History of Waldorf Schools and Anthroposophy
• Chapter 1: The Fourth Grade
• Chapter 2: Drawing animals in grade four by Sieglinde de Francesca (author of Coloring with Block Crayons)
• Chapter 3: Music in the Waldorf Curriculum by Judith Ivy
• Chapter 4: Inner Work for Self and Family
• Chapter 5: Grade Four Lesson Blocks and Sample Schedule
• Closing Remarks
• Appendix with resource lists and material, including Children of Odin

A Journey through Waldorf Homeschool - Grade 6

Melisa Nielsen

Softbound - includes book and DVD

Regular Price: $45.00

Clearance Price: $27.00

Melisa Nielsen continues the journey on into Grade 6, in this comprehensive addition to her beloved series. In it you'll find all manner of things that are just the ticket for making 6th grade a joyous exploration of the world and all it's wonders.

Contents:

• Grade 6 book and resource list
• Tales of an Islamic Homeschooler
• Modeling Leadership from the Heart
• Surfboards and Soybeans: Homeschooling a multi-cultural family
• Inner work for self and family: Rites of Passage
• Grade 6 lesson blocks and sample schedule
  • Planning the blocks
  • Rhythm
  • Festivals
  • Overview of grade six lesson blocks
    • Language Arts
    • Social studies and history
    • Science
    • Math, geometry and drawing
    • handwork
  • Year at a glance
  • Daily schedule for grade 6
  • Grade 6 container story
  • Background information for eachlesson block
    • Astronomy and weather
    • Physics
      • Silence and sound
      • Light and color
      • Heat and warmth
      • Static electricity and magnetism
    • Geography
    • History
      • Hellenistic period
      • Rome
      • Life of Jesus the Christ and the Christian faith
      • Life of Mohammed and the Islamic faith
      • Medieval society
    • Geology
• Closing Remarks
• Appedix

The Big Summer Activity Book

Anne and Peter Thomas

Hardbound

OVERSTOCK - Perfect condition, wonderful resources - we just have too many of them - help us make room!

Regular Price: $30.00

Clearance Price: $17.00

Although we can't guarantee that you'll never again hear, "There's nothing to do" from your children, we can guarantee that with this book at your side, you'll have a ready suggestion that's likely to be met with delight.

Based on many years experience of keeping children busy and happy, Anne and Peter Thomas have compiled a huge collection of summer activities that will help keep boredom at bay and help parents feel better, knowing that their children are busy having wholesome fun.

The authors include both indoor and outdoor activities, things to make, things to see, and things to do. It is packed with handy tips on food (like sweets for car journeys), health (such as sunburn), and safety. The Big Summer Activity Book covers everything from simple games that parents might themselves have played as children, to inspiring projects that will challenge the whole family.

Fully illustrated in colour throughout, this is an indispensable handbook that every parent will want to keep handy throughout summer vacations.

Contents:

• Introduction: Whose holidays? — Three important factors
• Holiday preparations: Tips for going on holiday
• Checklist
• In cases of illness—from motion sickness to insect bites and stings, plus a traveling pharmacy
• The weather
• The stars and planets
• Nature
• Orientation in the wild, in nature, and more
• On the beach
• In the mountains
• Games to stretch the muscles
• Living and playing in the countryside
• Tag and other outdoor games
• Playing on the beach
• Indoor and outdoor games
• Creativity with natural materials
• When it rains
• ... plus a revolving celestial chart, songs, and more
  

Space and Counterspace
An Introduction to Modern Geometry

Louis Locher-Ernst

Softbound

Regular Price: $25.00

Damaged: Creased upper right corner - otherwise in excellent condition

Damaged Price: $20.00

This classic examination of Projective Geometry offers a detailed exposition of the topic from a variety of perspectives and will be a great aid to Waldorf teachers and others seeking to penetrate the thinking behind this important topic.

"Das Goetheanum"
The Architectural Impulse of Rudolf Steiner

LightFilled Productions

VHS Video Cassette - 20 minutes

Regular price: $14.95

Clearance Price: $7.00

Take a walking tour of not only the current Goetheanum, but also the original "First Goetheanum" that was destroyed by fire in 1924. Through the magic of the camera, LightFilled Productions has taken available photographs and recreated the First Goetheanum - beginning with construction. The camera guides the viewer along an intimate tour of the forms and expanses of this unique building. After the fire of 1924, we see the debris cleared and a new building rise out of its ashes. At the end, we are treated to a view of the surrounding buildings that have been built nearby - inspired by Steiner's vision of architecture.

The effect of this tour is heightened by the absence of narration, with music being the only sound as one "walks" along, pausing to look at these remarkable structures.