Reviewed by Beverley Paine, 2005

An enthusiastic and often exuberant mother of four homeschooled children, Anna Kealoha comes across like a wise, best-friend who has 'been there, done that' keen to share her recipes for success. This book of full of such recipes - hundreds of practical activities in each subject area, with a good dose of common sense added to keep any homeschooling parent balanced and focussed on the big picture.

What I found invaluable as a homeschooling parent was the range of teaching strategies and approaches, with an emphasis on creativity, from art, music, and natural science and all the traditional school subjects. She emphasizes fostering a love of learning and self-motivation and manages to make homeschooling look a lot less daunting for parents educating their children at home.

Kealoha, a veteran supporter of alternative education, including 'blend school' and homeschool, covers the history as well as various philosophies of the alternative learning movement. She sets out how to start your own homeschool, beginning with the need to consciously take control of your children's educational process. For those considering homeschooling their children or just exploring educational options, this book is an excellent resource. For parents sticking with more traditional forms of schooling, Trust the Children provides wonderful, fun, supplementary activities to do with your children.

You'll find this is one 'how-to' homeschooling book that won't sit on the shelf gathering dust: my copy is dog-eared and well thumbed, the pages grubby with marks from the many activities, explorations and experiments it has helped generate.

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