Judging from the title, ten ways to destroy the imagination of your child, this does not seem like a book I would recommend.  However, Anthony Esolen cleverly uses antiphrasis to convince you of the shortcomings of our current culture of education in the United States and the benefits of a healthy imagination.

Esolen seems to cover every aspect of childhood in this book.  He looks at topics such as truth, time outdoors, structured activities, free play, fairy tales, patriotism, heroes, love, and noise.  Have you considered how much time your children are spending outdoors?  What about unstructured play time without adults?  This book makes you think about many things we consider “normal” that are not the same as they used to be in previous centuries.  As I look around my house littered with toys, and read of Laura Ingalls playing outside with nothing to play with but the prairie, her rag doll and occasionally some paper dolls, fabric scraps, or corn cobs it is a stark comparison.  We realize how little children are called upon to use their imaginations.  When every moment of every day is scheduled, organized, and supervised by adults  there is little time for children to think up their own games, organize their own teams, and settle their own disagreements.  While I do supervise my children a bit more, limiting them to our own backyard rather than anywhere they can get to and from before the street lights come on.  I think that time outside is missed too much.  Escolen makes a great argument for boredom.  Do you want your children to learn and think and dream?  Let them be bored.  Let them be uncomfortable.  Let them solve their own problems.

This was a book I needed to read.  I tend to worry over whether I am teaching enough or if my children are getting enough experiences.  This book makes a great argument for an unschooling approach to education.  While I do think structure is necessary, I do think that it can be a bit more relaxed than most of us make it.  This book also emphasises classical literature in a way that would work with both classical and Charlotte Mason approaches to homeschooling.  Whatever your style and educational philosophy, I think that this book would argue that homeschooling is definitely a better approach than traditional schools which leave little time for play during the day, especially if there are other activities in the evenings.  This book has definitely made me consider slowing down and taking a more relaxed approach to both life and learning.  

I would highly encourage all mothers to read this book.  Whether you are considering homeschooling, currently homeschooling, or sending your children to a school of your choosing, this book can be beneficial.  It will help you see areas where you can work in more time for your children to learn through play and let their imaginations take them to greater heights.  Read this book, and share it with your friends!