The Call of the Wild and Free audiobook

I have been homeschooling for twenty years and I have to say this is one of those books I would recommend to other homeschool educators. If you are a new homeschooling parent then I would say read Susan Schaefer Macaulay’s book For the Children’s Sake first, Charlotte Mason’s six books on education second (even if you don’t plan on using her methods exclusively), and while you are wading through those six books read this for inspiration and some practical advice and you should be caught up and ready to go.This is also good for the burned out mom or dad who needs some hints and ideas on how to get the joy of life with kids back.I had not heard of the Wild + Free website or movement and do not believe you need to have seen it to find this book useful.

I expected to like this well enough but it was much better than I expected it to be. I expected a “fan book” for all things wild + free groups, and Kristen Rogers And was pleasantly surprised. As for recommending it I would put it in the hands of people needing an overview on all things homeschool/ Charlotte mason/ wild + free etc. For those of us in those communities already it reads more like a refresher course and a pep talk. It’s well organized, the quotes are numerous, well selected, and inspiring. I feel many people in these communities should read it so they are well equipped to put it in the hands of those who need it, need inspiring, need the information, etc.

I am of two minds with The Call of The Wild + Free:1) I was pleasantly surprised that the bulk of the content wasn’t recycled from the Wild + Free content bundles, and Arment made some strong points in the first quarter of the book. 2) BUT overall, the content was light and a rehashing of the works of others. Arment quotes a lot of great thinkers and writers on alternative education options and nature education, but having read those books already I didn’t learn anything new from her work. This book would be great for a new homeschooling mother, but didn’t offer much for those of us who have been homeschooling for years. And it was especially light fare for those of us who are active in Wild + Free groups, have attended the conferences, or have subscribed to the content bundles.

I loved this. I highlighted and underlined and wrote in the margins. Though my son will be in preschool outside the home this year, I have my misgivings - and this book made me question even more. I’m planning to read the books listed in the appendix and explore further. This book won’t be for everyone, but for those to whom it speaks, you’ll get a lot out of it.

My anthem! I’ve been so blessed to have found this community (Wild+Free) at the very beginning of my home learning adventure, now a few years in. I truly feel like I was led to my tribe even before I had one iota of a clue what I was about to embark on.....but my soul knew. And my own wonder and deep love of learning and exploring sent me right into the wild woods of a tribe of women, children and men too, with the same needs and visions of what learning and life can truly be, with intention, deep passion and an insatiable curiosity. This book is one the richest resources to date on the topic of cultivating a lifestyle of learning and wonder. It is special beyond words. And yet, Ainsley Arment did put it into words and I am so beyond grateful that she did.

As a homeschool graduate, I know I want to homeschool my children one day. So I didn’t really connect with the first third of this book which seemed aimed more at parents making the decision. But I’m glad I kept reading and soaked in Ainsley’s defense of childhood, play, and family life in the latter 2/3. Especially enjoyed her summary of the different homeschool approaches!

This book was incredibly encouraging and inspiring. I thought it would just be about getting your kids out in nature more, which it was, but it was also so much more. It really covered the whole gammet of why we homeschool and encouraged me in so many other ways. I could see a family who was public schooling reading this and incorporating this into their summer activities too.

So much goodness in one book! My only real complaint was that it wasn’t around sooner!Ainsley shares not only the experiences of her family but also lots of others. This is the book I will be recommending to anyone that is schooling their children at home or considering this way of life.

Maybe my favorite homeschooling book I've read so far. Encouraging, inspiring...I highly recommend to everyone.

Whew! I made it. Some good thoughts, but halfway through it just felt redundant and romantic. Yes, give them a childhood, but at some point there needs to be a transition to prepare them for adulthood. What does that look like? Am I laying a good foundation with some rein on free play? This book leaves questions because it sounds better than the reality of homeschooling.