The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections

I am skeptical of all blogs-turned-book-deals these days, after wasting my money several times on inferior writing and recycled ideas. This book is different. Reading it lowers my blood pressure every time, and inspires me to be a better, more calm, patient, and creative parent. Yes, much of the content was already available on her blog (which is the best mama-blog out there, in my opinion), but seeing it in book form - the cohesiveness and flow of the project... it's just beautiful. This book makes a wonderful gift for natural-minded families, which is why I am buying several.

I thought this was a sweet book, and a pleasant read. Amanda Soule is a wonderful writer. I was a little disappointed that there were no new ideas presented here though. I felt like I was reading the same Waldorf family book I've read several times before. People say "everything has been done before", but I feel that authors can still incorporate new ideas or put their own twist on things. I did not see this here.

I was also disappointed with the craft projects. Aside from the fact that many were the same projects found all over the internet and in many other craft books, I found that most of them were projects geared towards adults with small touches added by children. I was expecting more projects actually for children, or where children played a much bigger role.

I think this would be a perfect book for someone who is new to Waldorf and Montessori philosophy and was looking for ways to incorporate these philosophies into their family life, or for someone who is looking for a simple, pleasant read paired with beautiful pictures. If you've been involved in simple family living for quite some time and are looking for something new, I would look elsewhere.

I had this book on my "wishlist"on Amazon for some time & decided on a splurge for myself instead of a new treasure for the kiddos. I wished I'd checked her blog before I bought, I could've save myself some money. This is a classic case of don't judge a book by it's cover. The front is very captivating w/ the author & her beautiful children giggling & creating together. I was bummed to find that there are very few actual art projects in the books and the ones that are in the book are rehashes from old Martha Stewart Kids magazines or that we'd already done through Waldorf classes.
For those who are in awe of her parenting style, have they never heard of Waldorf? This book would be more aptly titled, "Living the Waldorf Life". You may be money ahead to find some Waldorf books on Amazon. All is not lost though, the photgraphs were fun to get a peek at her life & precious children. The photo of her son putting on make-up is priceless, what a handsome little boy. I also have to admit that I am a tad jealous of the armoire that they found by the side of a road as a freebie. Why aren't my curbside finds that good?!
Honestly though, this is really just a book on living the Waldorf lifestyle.

I was so looking forward to this book -- it's title captivated me -- but I was so disappointed to see that nearly Everything in this book has been said before by someone else. The best idea I got out of the book was the felt birthday crown. There is also a cute birthday banner but you can find much better instructions for one on blogs. If anything, you may want to borrow this book but I wouldn't purchase it looking for fresh material.

This book is a gift for my daughter, so I am unable to provide a review on the book. But if it is a book she requested, I'm assured it is a good one. The price was right.