Last year, when I was just a reader of reviews, and not yet a Crew member, I’d seen the reviews about the Circle C series from Kregel Publications. They sounded fun, something my daughter would enjoy, th0ugh this was before her horse-crazy phase. The covers really stuck in my mind – in fact, that’s what caught my attention in the first place. They reminded me of the old Harlequin Presents romance series. Not sure why – they just did. Made a mental note to myself to track down the titles sooner or later, and moved on. Princess wasn’t quite ready for them – they’re written for ages 9-12.
Fast forward a month or so to the regional homeschool exhibition. While wandering those aisles, I saw the same books on a table. Once again, it was the covers that got my attention. I spent quite a while chatting with the author, Susan Marlow, and ended up buying the entire series – the first five, to take with me, the sixth to arrive later in the mail. (To see the reviews written by last year’s Homeschool Crew of book 5 in the Circle C series, click here.) I downloaded the activity files, and stashed them and the books away for later use.
Almost a year later, we learned we’d be receiving a Circle C Beginnings title to review. Circle C Beginnings is a new series by Susan K. Marlow, created for slightly younger readers, ages 6-8. These are 80-page chapter books, written in simpler language, with detailed black and white illustrations to liven up the text - my daughter’s favorite is when Andi’s older brother picks her up, upside down, and hauls her off to Mom.
I’d make the mistake of informing the Princess she had a book in the mail, so as soon as I opened the package to find Andi’s Fair Surprise, it disappeared with my 8-yr-old. I told her to come back in a few minutes and collect the free activity packet I was printing out. Had to hunt her down a bit later – she was too interested in the book to come back.
Andi’s Fair Surprise is a charmingly well-written book. There is a strong sense of right and wrong built seamlessly into the story – impressive, because it’s all too easy for a book to fall into a preachy, ineffective tone. There’s nothing artificial or forced. Andi is by no means a perfect child, but her moods and actions are presented in a way that feels natural and right. Andi feels like someone you – or your child – could know… and someone you’d like to read more about.
We’ll be adding the Circle C Beginnings books to our home library, and my daughter’s looking forward to their arrival. Not sure if she’ll be doing more activity packets – they’re a bit too easy for her for us to call them “schoolwork”, though she did have a lot of fun working through Andi’s Fair Surprise. Lapbooks are also available to correlate, but that would be much more appropriate for a child who is moving more slowly through the story.
Each title in the Circle C Beginnings series is $4.99. They can be purchased directly from Kregel Publications, from Amazon or Christianbook.com. If you’d like to request signed copies, you can even order directly from the author. Also available on the author’s site are coloring pages, the free activity packs I mentioned, plus online puzzles just for fun!
Titles in the Circle C Beginnings series are:
Andi’s Pony Trouble (Book 1)
No more ponies!
Andi wants a horse of her own more than anything in the world, but her mother says she’s too young. Stuck with riding Coco, the hand-me-down pony, Andi sets out to show her family that she’s ready for a horse of her own.
Andi’s Indian Summer (Book 2)
It’s just a made-up story… or is it?
Andi’s friend Riley shows her a scary old dime novel that sets Andi’s mind spinning with thoughts of being captured by Indians. But when she and Riley ride a little too far from the safety of the ranch, Andi discovers the truth about the natives living nearby.
Andi’s Fair Surprise (Book 3)
It’s not fair!
If Andi can’t take Taffy to the 1874 California State Fair and win a blue ribbon, she doesn’t want to go. But the fair turns out to be so exciting that Andi’s glad she came . . . until her brother tells her she can’t keep the prize she won fair and square!
Andi’s Scary School Days (Book 4)
School is scary!
Andi wants no part of school. School means being away from the ranch all day and sitting next to a boy who throws dead flies at her. Andi didn’t think she was afraid of anything—until now. Being sent to the corner for something she didn’t do is the last straw. Andi’s leaving. And she’s not going back.
And these two titles are Coming Soon!
Andi’s Lonely Little Foal (Book 5)
Why can’t Taffy be a foal forever?
Andi doesn’t want Taffy to grow up. That means leaving her mama. And staying by herself at night. How lonely is that? Then a mean boy tells Andi that foals can get hurt or sick when they’re away from their mothers. What if Johnny is right? How can Andi keep her little horse safe?
Andi’s Circle C Christmas (Book 6)
Unhappy holidays!
Andi loves Christmas! But her holiday is spoiled when a grumpy, bossy visitor arrives. No more running. No catching spiders. No wearing overalls. Can Andi do anything right? Then during an afternoon buggy ride, Andi finds out she can help this unwelcome guest in a way she never imagined.
To see what other crew members had to say about this product, check out the TOS Homeschool Crew blog post, Kregel Publications – Circle C Beginnings.
**I received this product for free as a member of the 2010-11 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew so that I could provide you with an honest review of it by our family.**
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Thanks so much for your enthusiastic review of not only Fair Surprise, but the nice little plug for the other books as well. I’m so glad you are enjoying the new series so far!
Susan