Adventures in Phonics: Phonics Sounds and Teaching Tips is an audio CD that offers phonics teaching tips and correct pronunciation of each vowel and consonant sound in the English language. The CD begins with a short introduction and an overview. Mrs. Lindstrom then moves through the correct pronunciation of each vowel and consonant sound, the spelling for each, and word examples for each sound. Sounds are listed along with track numbers on the inside front cover of the CD case. The CD concludes with teaching tips. This product can be used with any phonics program, but it was designed to work with Adventures in Phonics: Level A from Christian Liberty Press, which is a kindergarten-level program. As a former kindergarten teacher with the Christian Liberty Academy, Mrs. Lindstrom is experienced in the area of phonics, and she now teaches her own six children at home.

On the CD Mrs. Lindstrom speaks directly to us as homeschool teachers and fully honors the position of parent as teacher. Motivation is very important, and she stresses that our example for our children is one of the best ways to encourage their love of reading. Reading aloud regularly to our children will help increase their vocabulary and comprehension skills. At the discretion of the teacher, some students may benefit from listening to specific tracks on the CD. This lecture is ideal for any learning style and teaching method. The teaching tips are varied and encouraging and do not tie specifically to Christian Liberty Press products. She even suggests checking the local education store or library for other support products.

Even though the teaching tips portion is fairly short, it offers a good amount of tips in that time. The tips will be useful for beginning teachers and absolutely essential for parents for whom English is a second language.

The only downside I see is that the tips are fairly general and do not offer lengthy ideas or fancy gimmicks to help teach phonics. Experienced teachers will probably not find anything new here. Nevertheless, I appreciate the CD for the information that is given. Particularly for families with several children, this CD will be a help over the years as an occasional encouragement tool and also as a reminder before working with another child in phonics. For the minimal cost, the general teaching tips still have value for any homeschooling family.

Mrs. Lindstrom's closing words of assurance that God will bless our efforts certainly do remind the listener why we homeschool our children. Every homeschooling teacher could use positive encouragement from time to time, particularly when it comes to teaching phonics and reading. This product is "a keeper."

Product review by Donna Campos, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, June 2007