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 Bringing History to Life: How Living Biographies Inspire a Love for Learning

What if history wasn’t a dry collection of dates and facts but an immersive journey into the lives of those who shaped the world? Imagine your child stepping into the shoes of C. S. Lewis as he explores his childhood imagination, or walking alongside Charlotte Mason as she develops the revolutionary ideas that would change education forever.

That’s exactly what Leah Boden—beloved homeschool mentor and author, also known as Modern Miss Mason—has done in her new Chronicles of Wonder series. These beautifully crafted living biographies introduce young readers to historical figures in a way that sparks curiosity, wonder, and deep connections.

In this episode of The Feast Life, Leah and I dive into the power of storytelling in education, the beauty of modern living books, and how homeschool parents can bring history to life for their children.

Why Living Biographies Matter in Homeschooling

Charlotte Mason, whose philosophy has shaped so many of our homeschool journeys, emphasized the importance of living books—books that engage the imagination, stir emotions, and inspire meaningful thought.

Leah’s books take this to heart by weaving historical fact with compelling narrative, allowing children to step into the worlds of these remarkable figures. Rather than passively memorizing names and dates, children actively experience the struggles, triumphs, and inner lives of these individuals, making history unforgettable.

Highlights from My Conversation with Leah

• The Inspiration Behind the Chronicles of Wonder – How Leah’s years of homeschooling, combined with her passion for literature, led her to write living biographies.
• C. S. Lewis, Charlotte Mason & Sarah Forbes Bonetta – The first three figures in her series and why their stories matter to today’s children.
• The Power of Storytelling in Education – Why fictionalized biographies are an essential tool for making history engaging and relatable.
• A Call for More Modern Living Books – Why today’s homeschool parents and authors should embrace the challenge of writing high-quality, engaging living books for the next generation.
• How Their Education Shaped Them – The surprising ways childhood education—often at home—played a role in forming these historical figures.

What This Means for Homeschool Parents

Many of us have spent years seeking out old living books, scouring secondhand bookshops and online marketplaces for hidden gems. And while those books are treasures, Leah makes an important point: we also need new living books written for today’s generation.

If we want our children to fall in love with history, we must give them stories that breathe life into the past. We need books that make them feel what it was like to be a young Charlotte Mason, a curious Jack Lewis, or a courageous Sarah Forbes Bonetta.

Leah’s books provide just that—a fresh, inspiring take on historical figures that both children and parents will love.

How You Can Bring History to Life in Your Home

1. Read Living Biographies – Choose books that tell history through rich storytelling, rather than dry facts. Leah’s Chronicles of Wonder is a great place to start!
2. Encourage Narration – Ask your children to retell what they’ve read in their own words, just as Charlotte Mason encouraged.
3. Explore Connections – Discuss how the lives of historical figures relate to the present day and even to your child’s own experiences.
4. Create a Culture of Curiosity – Foster an environment where history is something to explore, not just memorize. Go on field trips, read primary sources, and let your child’s questions guide deeper learning.

About Leah Boden:

Leah Boden is a wife to Dave, a mother to both teens and adults, and an advocate for living education. She is the author of Modern Miss Mason and the Tales of Boldness and Faith series, a fictional living biography collection for middle-grade readers. With a background in schools work and Christian ministry, Leah brings a wealth of experience to her mission of resourcing families with living books written for today’s readers. After home educating her four children using Charlotte Mason's philosophy, Leah now dedicates her time to equipping and inspiring families to embrace creativity, learning, and connection in their homes and lives. Through her writing, speaking, and community leadership, she encourages parents to rediscover the beauty of education and storytelling. Leah lives with her family and their miniature Schnauzer in a park-side home in the West Midlands, England.

Connect with Leah:

Leah’s Chronicles of Wonder series is now available wherever books are sold! These books are perfect for homeschool families looking to introduce their children to inspiring figures in a deeply engaging way.

Find Leah’s books here: Amazon
Connect with Leah at: leahboden.com
Follow Leah on Instagram: @modernmissmason