The first thing we should address is that this book series is written by someone who, according to the information online, is a Mormon. See more discussion on this below. --- The second thing to hit is that this book is most likely not going to be what you think it is at first glance. It is the size and layout of a beginning reader book (picture one of those very thin books with a Level 1, 2 or 3 on the small spine to tell you a reading level). However, inside you find an illustrated short story offering a quick peek into the life of a family whose parents are teaming up with a conservative thinker to teach their children a lesson on conservative politics that you might imagine having with an older mature teen or (more likely) a young adult. Each book seems to be tackling a college-level topic, but making it as accessible as possible to children. Now there are moments, even in the short volume, where this is delivered in a way you might expect to see on a Conservative talk show, although slightly pulled back for kids. For example, there is a picture of Nazi Germany when discussing some of the roots of our education system and a comment saying that each nation purposely leaves out important historical events. There is another comment at the end mentioning the “devious intentions of the architects of today’s educational institutions”.
Psalm 101:3
Quick Answer: Prayerfully Consider
Concern Level: Medium
The first thing we should address is that this book series is written by someone who, according to the information online, is a Mormon. See more disc... → Continue reading below
The Tuttle Twins and the Education Vacation
VERDICT: Prayerfully Consider
Concern Level: Medium
Christian Parent Review
While we don’t normally dig much further into the faith of authors outside of determining whether or not they are Christian authors writing a Christian story (not the case here), this one is a bit interesting. Angel Studios recently started producing an animated show version of the Tuttle Twins. Since nearly everyone associates Angel Studios with the extremely popular “The Chosen” (not to mention the studio’s name itself), most people will assume that the content they produce is Christian. That is not the case (see more on the show below in the Plugged In review and the same for the books at the Redeemed Reader review). This show and book are clean and many people would be happy to find a kid-focused way to share deeper political topics, but do we need to do it in a way that leaves faith nearly completely out of the picture? Should we support Angel Studio when they make content that leaves the Creator, the Creator of the angels they name themselves after, out of the story? We love the idea of getting kids thinking about things many never even think to question (for example being pro-homeschooling in this book of the series), but there are likely much more Christ-focused ways of doing it. If you do decide to use them as an educational tool then you should be committed to reading them as well and having follow-up conversations that bring your Christian faith in to complete the story from a biblical perspective.
Note: This information is typically from the publisher.
Use with caution
Is school the best way to get an education? --- Ethan and Emily Tuttle have spent several years in school being graded on the quality of their work. But after hearing an award-winning teacher discuss some problems with schooling and share a vision for how children are best educated, the Tuttle family decides to embark on a new learning adventure. --- Long-time educator John Taylor Gatto shares ideas with the Tuttle family from his book The Underground History of American Education. As they soon learn, education works best when we have the freedom to discover our interests and develop our abilities, rather than being shaped into what somebody else wants.
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Purchase Book Convenience LinkOther Reviews for this Book
Redeemed Reader
This is a really interesting take on the book series itself with a good bit of information.
Read ReviewPlugged In
Thorough review of the Animated Series. Check out the note about Gandhi and Hinduism.
Read ReviewScripture Reflection
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
— 2 Timothy 3:14-17