The Joyful Child: Montessori, Global Wisdom for Birth to Three

10th Anniversary edition 2023
This book truly reflects the spirit and purpose of Montessori in a way that makes the philosophy translatable to both new parents and veteran Montessorians. Susan’s extensive experience and her world travels resonate as she explores the universal, emotional, and psychological depths that construct the child’s development.

—Virginia McHugh, past Executive Director of The Association Montessori International USA (AMIUSA)

Child of the World: Montessori, Global Education for Age 3-12+

This book explains the meaning of life, how you are supposed to live it. It would be helpful to other people my age. If the young person does not want to read the chapter, The Young Adult, Age 12-18, then the parents should read it so they can help their son or daughter become a better person.

—Ryan Alcock, Montessori student, age 13, Amsterdam

Stephenson’s volume is a wonderful resource for parents seeking thoughtful, sound advice on raising well-grounded children in a chaotic world. Presenting Montessori principles in clear and eloquent prose, Stephenson’s legacy will be a tremendous service to generations of parents to come.

—Angeline Lillard, PhD, professor of psychology, University of    Virginia, author of Montessori, The Science behind the Genius

The Red Corolla, Montessori Cosmic Education (for age 3-6+)

In the section of this book on physics she shares how to do many science experiments, describing how to set up the science experiments and give presentations. The book also deals with botany, zoology, music, geography, art, and history. If 3-6-year-old children can experience as much as possible of these materials, they have created a lovely foundation for the Cosmic Education of the elementary years.

—Judi Orion, Director of Pedagogy, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)

The Universal Child, Guided by Nature

Simple, elegant, inspiring. Susan Stephenson carries Dr. Montessori’s vision of education for peace forward with this lovely, simple book about what we can all recognize as universal in our make-up as human beings. Those things that ought to (and can) bring us to a place of great respect for children through positive, intelligent engagement with them the world over.

—Gioconda Bellonci, Montessori parent and teacher

Montessori and Mindfulness

The author writes with such clarity and simplicity yet takes on the complexity of Montessori philosophy and contemporary thoughts on mindfulness with such grace and care. Her overall theme that personal fulfillment leads to care for others and for our environment echoes throughout each chapter and creates a wonderful symbiosis of Montessori thought and mindfulness practices, with personal stories throughout

—Lynne Breitenstein-Aliberti, Association Montessori Internationale, United States (AMIUSA)

No Checkmate, Montessori Chess lessons for Age 3-90+

This book can tell you how to teach chess to any child, but, you can use this book as an insight to teach your child anything, using the Montessori method. The book introduces the game of chess using: grace and courtesy of handling the chess pieces; social aspect of the game; practical life— polishing/dusting the pieces, setting up the environment; language, using the three-period-lesson to learn the names of the pieces; mastering the game by building up one difficulty at a time. This is the essence of Montessori.If you are not interested in learning chess this book is still a gold mine of knowledge and insight into the Montessori method and how to offer any skill to a child. As always, this author welcomes you into the world of the child and how to help spark their interest.

—Joanne King, Montessori consultant, the Netherlands

I can wholeheartedly recommend this book. I had a child in my elementary class who was determined to teach every child to play chess. However she found it hard to slow down and would get frustrated that they could not just pick up the game after a simple explanation of what each piece does. I gave her your book from our class library and it significantly improved her chess teaching and also her relationship with others.

—Rachel Ammendsen, Dublin Ireland

Montessori Homeschooling, One Family’s Story

Our English department teachers read Montessori Homeschooling, One Family’s Story and then made a presentation to all the Middle and High School staff. It was very impressive for the whole group of teachers. When students recognize the purpose and are a fundamental part of what they are learning, they are more likely to dig deeper, and find ways to learn about what is important and relevant to them.

Teachers have come to nurture our students’ desires and help them connect to their passions and interests. 

—The English teachers, Montessori Colegio Bilingue, Cali, Colombia

Each chapter describes one year from kindergarten through twelfth grade. They had four guidelines: keep the developmental stage in mind, prepare the environment and offer work, observe to see if it is working, and lastly, adapt and “follow the child.” This Montessori-inspired schooling centered in the family ended with acceptance at Brown University. It is a triumph for all families to witness.

—David Kahn, Director Emeritus of The North American Montessori Teachers Association (NAMTA), Montessori adolescent consultant

Aid to Life, Montessori Beyond the Classroom

This is a wonderful book about Montessori and how it is being used in many countries. We will be translating it into French.

—Victoria Barres, Association Montessori Internationale representative to UNESCO, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Paris, France

It was Mr. Montessori’s dream that his mother’s educational approach could be realized without being bound to a set of materials. He would be very pleased with this book. The author shows how all children can receive the Aid to Life that they need to develop their potential.

—Rita Zener, PhD, AMI Montessori Teacher Trainer

Please Help Me Do It Myself, Observation and Recordkeeping for the Primary and Elementary Class

I can never be reminded too often of speaking to the young people as I would a colleague. I will carry your reminder with me.

—Paul Pillai, Montessori teacher of young adults in the UK

Having been out of the classroom for two years, as I read this book I thought to myself “It is though I am in a refresher course”. Thank you for writing this book.

—Adebanke Foloye, Nigerian AMI 3-6 and 6-12 teacher

I am a book club facilitator for our local Montessori organization and we just finished a five week study of Please Help Me Do It Myself. This is a fantastic book and we think it should be required reading in Montessori training centers. Such a great combination of theory and pragmatic ideas.

—Tara Valentine, Bay Area Montessori Association (San Francisco, CA)

Glimpses of Aged Care through a Montessori Lens
Co-written with Anne Kelly, head of the Dementia, Disability, and Aging  for the Association Montessori Internationale

is such a delight to see how the concept is applied to aging and dementia community. It also gave me opportunity to contemplate about my own tradition and how aged people are being treated. This is an easy yet profound read.
—Tengchien, Yu, AMI Primary Montessori teacher trainer

A book that should be read by the young. It contains valuable information not just in thinking about parents and grandparents, but for myself, and I do not consider myself old yet. It is young people who need this information so they can change the system.
—Sherry Vanderpool, Mother and Grandmother

Brief Montessori Introductions Series

#1— Montessori Cosmic Education

#2— Beginnings, Montessori Birth to Three Comparison with Traditions in Bhutan