About Living Stories

The Problem with Traditional History

Most history curricula ask children to memorize dates and names. They learn about remarkable people but never truly know them. Living Stories changes that.

Our Mission

Living Stories transforms forgotten heroes into unforgettable experiences. Through immersive, second-person narratives, children don't just learn about remarkable Americans—they step into their shoes, experiencing their choices, challenges, and courage firsthand. We believe when children walk in the footsteps of leaders like Ella Baker, they discover not just what happened, but who they can become.

How We Do It

🎭 Immersive Storytelling
Instead of reading "Ella Baker was a civil rights leader," your child experiences "You are nine years old, sitting on your grandmother's porch in North Carolina..." This second-person approach transforms passive learning into active experience.

📚 Living Books Philosophy
We blend Charlotte Mason's emphasis on rich, narrative texts with Waldorf-inspired storytelling. Every lesson feels like stepping into a well-crafted historical novel—because the best learning happens when children are completely engaged.

🎨 Multi-Sensory Learning
Each story comes with thoughtful activities: art projects, discussion questions, creative writing prompts, and hands-on extensions that deepen understanding and make learning stick.

⚡ Flexible Format
Perfect for homeschool families, small co-ops, or individual learners. Adapt our pacing and activities to fit your family's style and your children's ages.

Our Story

Living Stories was born from every homeschool parent's familiar frustration. Anna Shadley, a writer and public historian with a PhD in political science, had always loved history. But her son kept declaring "I hate history!" Despite her passion for the past and years of research experience, traditional textbooks and timelines just weren't working.

That's when Anna realized her son didn't hate history. He hated boring history. He needed someone to show him the STORY in history. He needed to experience what it felt like to walk in historical figures' shoes, not just memorize what they did.

Drawing on her background in immersive storytelling and historical research, Anna began creating the curriculum she wished existed: stories that transform children from passive learners into active participants in history. Each Living Stories curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking through the power of narrative.

Anna believes the most powerful history lessons happen when children can see themselves in the story—understanding that ordinary people have always had the power to create extraordinary change.

Our Approach

Why Hidden Figures?
We focus on remarkable Americans whose names are often left out of textbooks. These aren't just "diverse" stories—they're essential American stories that reveal the full complexity and beauty of our shared history.

Character Formation Through Story
When children experience Ella Baker's commitment to empowering others, they learn about leadership, and they internalize what principled leadership looks like. Our stories form character while teaching history.

Rigorous Research, Engaging Narrative
Every story is grounded in careful historical research, from primary sources to recorded speeches. We never sacrifice accuracy for engagement. Instead, we believe accuracy makes the stories even more powerful.

Start Your Journey

Ready to see how immersive storytelling transforms history learning?

Get our free Ella Baker sample lesson and discover why families are choosing Living Stories for their core history curriculum.

[Download Free Sample]

Questions? Email us at hello@livingstorieshistory.com