We had the opportunity to review Tales from the Circle C Ranch and Andrea Carter’s Tales from the Circle C Ranch Learning Lapbook by Circle C Adventures.
Susan K. Marlow has come a long way from the 10 year old little girl who enjoyed writing stories to a seasoned writer of books for young people. Marlow grew up and earned a degree in elementary education that led her to teach in Christian schools; left a career to homeschool her own children for 20 years and eventually returned to her love of writing, which has continued as her passion.
As members of the TOS Review Crew, we had the opportunity to meet Andrea Carter (a.k.a. Andi) in Marlow’s Circle C Beginnings series. Andi was six years old at the time and each book in the series takes the readers on an adventure where they get to know and love Andi. The Circle C Milestones series continues with more adventures with Andi as a teen.
In Tales from the Circle C Ranch, Marlow takes a different approach with a collection of stories that gets the reader better acquainted with Andi. It also bridges the gap between her early years and teen years.
Although the main character is a girl, boys will also enjoy reading books from the Andi saga. Girls, in turn, will also enjoy reading books from Goldtown Adventures, which has a boy as a main character. Readers also do not have to be horse lovers to curl up and enjoy a Marlow book.
Britches are not for Little Girls (read sample chapter), the first chapter in the story collection, gives the reader great insight into the personality and character of Andi. Some words to describe Andi are tomboy, compassionate and determined.
If they have not already read any of the stories in either series that come before or after Tales from the Circle C Ranch, your reader will still enjoy the collection of stories. That fact is one of the reasons Lily and my sons have enjoyed reading Marlow’s stories; she knows how to write what children enjoy reading. It may have something to do with the fact she is a mother and has 10 grandchildren
As with all of her books, Marlow has also created a hand-ons feature for Tales from the Circle C Ranch. Andrea Carter’s Tales from the Circle C Ranch Learning Lapbook is a fun way to continue the story and learning for readers. There are activities for every short story in the collection. Although the book is geared towards children, ages nine to 14, the activities are ones that may be enjoyed by a large age-range of children. If you have a younger child, he may be able to complete some of the hands-ons projects with some help.
Marlow includes a lot of historical information in her stories as well as the lapbook. Children not only complete creative projects, but also learn a bit of history. The lapbook activity for Aunt Rebecca and the Hat (chapter three), children learn about the history of photography. That activity is an example of one that would interest a wide range of ages. The younger child can sit and listen and the older student can answer the questions included in the lapbook activity.
Andi’s adventures at on the Circle C Ranch take place in rustic California during the 1880s. Children can relate to Andi as a peer and learn a lot about what life was like during that time period. As a California native, I find the historical references quite interesting, but you do not have to be a native to appreciate the history or the stories. Tales from the Circle C Ranch as well as any other Marlow book is one you can give to your child with no worries.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Tales from the Circle C Ranch is available in paperback for $7.99 (+ $2.50 s/h U.S. addresses) and Andrea Carter’s Tales from the Circle C Ranch Learning Lapbook is available for $7 as an e-lapbook. Other purchasing options include the lapbook as a physical book and the dtory book and lapbook purchased as a set.
Social media
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You can read more reviews of this item by fellow crew members.