Sandra, I have been reading your Big Book of Unschooling and my 11 year old son started to read over my shoulder. He wanted to read more and took it away. When his 8 year old brother asked him what he was reading he replied 'It's this book that helps parents to be awesome.' That just about sums it up! Thank you xxx —Nicola Wright
I had a hard time narrowing down what in the book I liked the most when you asked me yesterday. But I think it would have to be this: "If your child is more important than your vision of your child, life becomes easier." Of all the homeschooling, parenting and unschooling books I have read, that line has jumped out at me most of all. —Karen King
I've already had lots of personal revelations and healing through reading your book and I didn't expect that when I first picked it up. So my daughter's life is already different and better because of your work. (from a sweet side note)
Reading your book helped me make my relationship to my husband so much better. I only read the book a week ago and I already see a difference for the three of us. Our daughter is also so much happier because we are. —Elaine Santana
The story of a moment when the Big Book served well as a Ouija book. "the...quote leapt off the page at me. Really at me. It got me right between the eyes...and thank god, it buried itself right in. The First Review: Note from Sandra, July 12, 2009: Because Pam Sorooshian was going to write the foreword, I sent the manuscript to give her an idea of the book, about 2/3 finished. I expected advice and ideas, or a "good job, don't forget [this or that]." Pam has given me permission to share what she wrote.
Thanks, Pam! Some other comments: I am so ecstatic to have received your Big Book of Unschooling a couple days ago - I can't put it down! I have been reading your website and the Always Learning list for a couple years now (although I have yet to post anything). This book is like the icing on the cake since my husband and I can pick it up and read it anywhere. I love how it is organized, and I refer to different pages depending on my question or concern. There are pages in your book that bring me to tears. Your clear and logical words have helped our family tremendously! My book arrived a couple of days ago and I've carried it around like a treasure sharing it with everyone that has come into the house. Brenna keeps stealing it and quoting from it so I may need to get her a copy :-) It is so wonderful and reminds me of all of you. I love everything about it! I wish I could buy a copy for everyone I know. —Gail Higgins
I read the page called "Comforts" aloud to my husband and we both cried.....good tears—it's very powerful writing. —Renee Cabatic
I received Sandra Dodd's Big Book of Unschooling in the mail the other day, and not only was I impressed with the neat wrapping (tissue paper around the book — I felt as if I was opening a birthday present!) but I was beyond impressed with the experience of having the book. It is exactly like holding Sandra's unschooling website in your hands, which is what she wrote it was intended to be. It is a household necessity. Like a toothbrush! Or a flashlight! Yes, it's just like those two things, because you need it during ordinary times and during emergencies. Thank you, Sandra, for compiling the depth and breadth of experience found on your site into this book. You have done unschoolers a great service, yet again. —Susan Gaissert
PLEASE NOTE, for 2019 and later: When I sent books from my house, I wrapped them that way, but now they're all coming from book dealers.
Tell Marty he was right: your book has found a place of honor in our bathroom. :) —Jennifer Fink note from Sandra: You might need to read the intro to appreciate that. Jen later wrote more: Sandra Dodd's son, Marty, is right: her Big Book of Unschooling makes an excellent bathroom book. Broken down into small, manageable bits, Sanda Dodd's Big Book of Unschooling is inspiration waiting for action. It's accessible, welcoming—and the perfect antidote for parental self-doubt. Her commonsense words help you let go and trust and enable you to enhance your sons' lives in ways you may never have imagined. Intro to this [backup copy on this site] Got my book over the weekend. Just wrote about it on my [facebook] wall. It's a gem, Sandra, I'm worshipping it just a little bit! —Zann Carter I love the look of your book. Like your son, Marty, said about this book, I believe it is a great book to just open and read ideas in an unrestricted manner. I've always loved your website, but I find this book helpful as I can refer to it anytime without going to the website to search for my question. I can even see a purpose for having a few copies in different rooms! Thank you for collecting, writing, and sharing such great ideas. —Beth Moore More notes about "just open" and other random factors. I love that big book. There may be more blog posts... (and there was a link to this one:) "If I let...", a blogpost about food, mostly, and about realizations of unschoolers. —Flo Gascon
The Big Book is awesome. I've read a lot on your web site over the years, but having your words flowing clear and clean and more linearly in the book is a different experience. It's deeper, more emotional. The connection is cleaner somehow, more personal. —Brad Holcomb
Gail Higgins (one of my favorite unschooling moms) wrote in public, of the older edition: I love everything about this book starting with just the way it looks! Great cover art and I like that Holly was so involved in that. It is the book that I consistently recommend and even after all this years unschooling still will pick it up and open up to a page just because I know that I will love what I read.
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