McGuffey's Second Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition

My grandparents learned to read from these primers nearly a century ago. I learned from them, and so far three of my nieces have as well.

At the end of my daughter's kindergarten class (she was 5) I was told by her school that she would probably start reading in first grade. Half way through first grade, I was told she was a little slow and not picking up things as fast as she could. At this point, I stepped in and taught my daughter to read using "Noah Websters' Blue Backed Speller" and "McGuffey's Readers." "McGuffey's Readers" are a delight. I read the books cover to cover and loved every single story contained therein. These two literary tools [the Readers and the BB Speller] were how America learned to read for 150 years. And after *wasting* 18 months listening to reading "specialists" in public schools, *I* taught my daughter to read in under 6 weeks. She is now a sophomore in college (honor student!) and remains a prolific reader. I *highly* recommend McGuffey's Readers for any parent who wants to teach their child to read. It is a book you will keep forever, and it is something to be handed down to your children and their children and on and on. Speaking as an architectural historian, these wonderful books also provide a fascinating keyhole peak into an earlier time!

The McGuffey's Revised Second and Third Eclectic Readers combine a number of lessons into one. They can be used for reading comprehension or as copybooks for improving handwriting skills. The numerous poems can be used to improve memory skills. Furthermore, many of the lessons are focused on nature subjects such as birds, insects, farm animals, etc., and will supplement a natural history text for teaching early scientific observation. Most importantly, all the lessons are moral and help to preserve childhood innocence, something that is sorely needed in today's world. Filled with beautiful illustrations, these hardcover textbooks are an outstanding value.