Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers from Christian Liberty Press {Schoolhouse Review Crew}

The first time I ever homeschooled, way back in 2001, Christian Liberty Press was one of the publishers I chose to go to for some of our material. Originally, Christian Liberty Press was begun to “provide school materials for our own home education and Christian school programs. Since then,

we have expanded the reach of our ministry to deliver excellent educational products at a great value to home schools and Christian schools across the United States and throughout the world. We are dedicated to finding, evaluating, and producing curriculum materials that are rooted in the Word of God and express a biblical worldview.” (from website)

Through the Schoolhouse Review Crew, I was able to receive and review the following book.

Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers by Douglas Bond
ISBN: 978-1-935796-75-6
ebook: 242 pages; print: paperback, 242 pages
Publisher: Christian Liberty Press
Retail: $10.99- find it at CLP ebook: $8.79; print: $9.89
Suggested Grade Level: 7th–10th

“This first book in the series by Douglas Bond tells the story of two teens who, while on vacation in England, are befriended by an elderly English gentlemen called Mr. Pipes. Through this relationship they learn about famous British hymn writers. They also learn about the value of traditional worship and praise." (from the website)

This book talks about the following hymn makers, some more in-depth than others:

• Thomas Ken
• Isaac Watts
• Charles Wesley
• William Williams
• John Newton
• William Cowper
• Augustus Toplady
• Thomas Kelly
• Henry Francis Lyte
• James Montgomery
• Horatius Bonar
• Reginald Heber
• William Walsham How
• Samuel Stone
• Anna Waring
• Cecil Francis Alexander
• Francis Ridley Havergal
• John Bunyan

You can see a Google preview of this book at the Christian Liberty Press website. I had this book in print already but was graciously given an ebook copy for this review.

This isn’t a book with just facts of the hymn writers’ lives. It follows Annie and Drew during their summer spent in an old English village. They start out thinking it will be a boring and terrible time. We meet Mr. Pipes, Dr. Dudley, and other people in the small village. It is also their journey to find their place in God’s plan. Mr. Pipes shares about these individuals and their lives through frequent fishing trips and picnics. The kids, Mr. Pipes and sometimes other friends, also go on hikes or other outings; while we read about historical individuals such as Thomas Kelly, we are also being taken through a fun story. There were so many people mentioned that I’d never heard of before reading this book but many of the hymns I’d heard.

I read this through myself and haven’t used it in our school yet. After reading it, I do plan to include it as a read-aloud for our hymn and folk song studies. I would consider this a good living book that goes along well with our Charlotte Mason approach to learning. It is interesting while giving the readers something more than just a ‘good story’. It has a Christian message throughout. The story takes us through the changes that Annie and Drew go through by spending time with Mr. Pipes and learning about the lives of Christians who wrote many of the hymns that are sung in many churches even today, and Mr. Pipes' life. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. I think it could be used for music study and/or history. 

Other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew also reviewed this book. Read what they felt about this book by clicking on the image below.

There are four books in this series: Mr. Pipes and the British Hymn Makers, Pipes and Psalms and Hymns of the Reformation, Mr. Pipes Comes to America, and The Accidental Voyage- Discovering Hymns of the Early Centuries. These are available individually or as a set from Christian Liberty Press. Check the website for current prices.

Christian Liberty Press offers many other resources for homeschooling including textbooks, readers, curriculum kits, etc.

Contact:
Christian Liberty Press
502 West Euclid Ave
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Website: http://www.shopchristianliberty.com
E-mail Address: custserv@christianlibertypress.com
Phone Orders: 800-348-0899, press 6
Catalog Request: 800-348-0899, press 1
Fax Number: 847-259-2941

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***Disclaimer: I received the above book free from Christian Liberty Press via the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***