For as long as I can remember, I have loved books. My husband Phil is a reader as well. It was important to us to pass that love of reading on to our children, so we started reading to them at an early age. When M was just two weeks old, she would stare wide-eyed at storybooks as I read.
Now M is starting to read quite well on her own, and I am always on the lookout for quality books. Generally, my observation is that they don’t write them like they used to!
I am so incredibly thankful that I have been introduced to Salem Ridge Press. The company was founded in 2005 with the goal of republishing quality children’s books from the 1800′s and early 1900′s. Their standard for the books they republish is Philippians 4:8:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
I had the privilege of receiving three titles for review:
Soldier Fritz and The Enemies He Fought, by Emma Leslie, is set in Germany during the time of the Reformation. The story follows a boy and his family who receive a Bible from a peddler and read the truth in God’s Word. They are forced to go into hiding to escape being thrown into prison for their faith. Fritz learns what it means to follow Christ even in the midst of these circumstances. This book is very well written, and I personally enjoyed reading it very much! Soldier Fritz is recommended for ages eight to adult, and I believe this is a fair assessment. I look forward to sharing it with my girls when they are a bit older, due to some of the subject matter that I think they would find confusing at their current ages. This book is a part of the Emma Leslie Junior Church History series.
Mary Jane – Her Visit, by Clara Ingram Judson, is a very sweet story about a little five year old girl who goes to visit her great-grandparents on their farm in the country. My daughters were captivated by the story, and they kept asking me to read more. It is a wonderful book for elementary aged children (Salem Ridge recommends it for ages 6-10). Please note that the Salem Ridge Press version of this book differs from the Project Gutenberg version. Salem Ridge Press made several revisions to bring this book up to their standard.
The American Twins of the Revolution by Lucy Fitch Perkins is historical fiction, telling the true story of the family of a General in the American Revolution, as they endured great hardship to make a difference in their time. The wonderfully descriptive writing makes you feel as though you are really there experiencing the events of the story. This book is also recommended for ages eight to adult.
Salem Ridge Press is clearly a company with high standards and a clear purpose: to provide families with sound “living books” for a variety of ages. They currently have 27 titles in print, most of which are available in both hardback and softcover. These books are printed on very good quality paper with solid binding. You may purchase books directly from Salem Ridge Press on their website, with prices ranging from $10.95-14.95 for softcover, or $22.95-24.95 for hardback. Their books are also available from other vendors.
Visit the TOS Homeschool Crew blog for many more reviews of Salem Ridge Press!
Disclosure: I received a print copy of the book Soldier Fritz and e-book copies of Mary Jane – Her Visit and The American Twins of the Revolution for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I did not receive any additional compensation.
