Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me.

Learning Humility-a book review

I reviewed a book by Richard J. Foster, known for his spiritual writings, delves into humility in a timely book. Exploring the Native American connection and Lakota virtues, he offers insights on humility as a transformative virtue. Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Charles Eastman, Foster’s intimate and introspective approach makes “Learning Humility” a compelling read grounded in scripture.

updated February 25, 2026

Learning Humility

A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue

By Richard J. Foster

If anyone can make a book about humility interesting, Richard Foster does. If you know his work on spiritual disciplines, prayer, spiritual formation, and classical Christian writings, you will find his latest offering similar, but with an unexpected twist. Everyone will appreciate his lack of self-promotion as a refreshing change from other “influencers”.

You could argue that devoting an entire book to humility is a step down from his previous spiritual works- even humbling you might say. But the topic and title are timely and telling, as we now see little humility in the public arena, both in secular and religious thought and behavior.

Why Humility?

Foster’s essay-style book examines humility, why we should be humble, and how to be humble, without telling us to be humble. Rather, humility cannot be forced or grasped; it requires transformation of our heart and mind.

Foster decided to explore the topic of humility as he considered New Year’s resolutions, which he doesn’t typically do. He considered journaling about it, but he doesn’t do that either.

Instead, he decided to study what the Bible and classical and modern Christian writers teach about humility and ponder its meaning as he went about his daily life at the rural Colorado home he shares with his wife.

brick church with cross on the peaked roof and blue stained glass windows
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Manitou Springs, Colorado , not affiliated with Mr. Foster; (photo by Dr. Aletha)

Celebrating Lakota Virtues

On the jacket of his book Celebration of Discipline is a photo of him,wearing a suit and tie, with short, neatly trimmed hair. He looks like a typical Christian minister.

So, I was surprised when I went to hear him speak in person; he had long hair, pulled back into a ponytail. He explained it was in deference to his Native American ancestry. Foster’s grandmother was Native American, of the Ojibwa (Chippewa) tribe.

In Learning Humility, he follows the calendar year, recording observations and musings for each month. However, because it is “rooted in the natural world” he chose to use a Native American calendar, specifically the Lakota Moon calendar.

He named each chapter for one of the thirteen Lakota moons (13 months of 28 days). He also incorporates the twelve Lakota virtues- humility, perseverance, respect, honor, love, sacrifice, truth, compassion, bravery, fortitude, generosity, and wisdom, giving thought to how each complements humility.

Dr. Charles Eastman

I found an unexpected medical connection in this book on humility. Keeping with his Native American theme, Foster introduced us to Charles Eastman, M.D., the first Native American to graduate from medical school in the United States

Dr. Eastman, who started life as Ohiyesa, born in 1858, belonged to the Santee Lakota tribe. Dr. Eastman was raised in the traditional Dakota way by his maternal grandparents, believing his father was dead.

But as a teenager, his father found him and took him home to live as a white man. He attended white schools, eventually graduating from Dartmouth College and Boston University Medical School.

Dr. Eastman worked at the Pine Ridge Reservation Indian clinic and soon found himself caring for survivors of the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890. He later worked at the Crow Creek Reservation, ran his own private practice, served as an adviser to the Boy Scouts, founded children’s summer camps, and served in national government positions.

He was most successful at writing and speaking. He published thirteen books, including The Soul of the Indian in which he reconciled the Christian faith he had adopted with traditional Lakota spirituality. Foster comments on this position in his book.

Richard J. Foster

Richard J. Foster (DThP, Fuller Theological Seminary) founded Renovaré. 

He has written several other books, including Streams of Living Water, Prayer, Freedom of Simplicity, Sanctuary of the Soul, and Celebration of Discipline, which sold over two million copies worldwide. He and his wife, Carolynn, make their home near Denver, Colorado.

Those who have read Foster’s other books, especially Celebration of Discipline, will find Learning Humility more intimate and introspective, yet still firmly grounded in scripture. If this is a first for you, consider reading the others for practical guidance on the spiritual practices of prayer, meditation, service, and study. I include affiliate links to them here.

Thank you NetGalley and InterVarsity Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Professional Reader 25 Book Reviews

Learning Humility is available on

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HUMAN BODY Learning Lab-book review

“Human Body Learning Lab” by Dr. Betty Choi offers an engaging exploration of the human body for curious kids. Dr. Choi, a pediatrician and mom, provides an easy-to-understand guide, complete with hands-on activities. The book also includes important disclaimers for parents. Written for kids aged 5 to 9, it’s a valuable resource for parents and teachers.

HUMAN BODY

Learning Lab

Take an Inside Tour of How Your Body Works

By Betty Choi, MD

https://bookshop.org/widgets.js

Human Body Learning Lab is not only a book for parents to read to their kids but an adventure they can explore with their kids.

I can identify with author Dr. Betty Choi. She is a pediatrician and mom who became intrigued with the human body and how it works from reading The Human Body book in her family’s encyclopedia set. So did I. Like me, she went on to become a physician and explained that she wrote this book for all the curious kids who ask her questions. (Similarly, I started writing this blog.)

Head-to-toe teaching

Dr. Choi has produced an easy-to-understand, biologically accurate, visually appealing guide to the human body. From the colorful table of contents to the ending invitation to “Learn More” on the website, Dr. Choi covers the human body from head to toe, and from inside out.

the table of contents

The Learning Lab explains in text and colorful, detailed, clearly labeled drawings the structure and function of the body’s organ systems. The author explains genetics, DNA, the five senses, and the immune system.

how to build a model of DNA

Hands-on learning

Perhaps unique to this book are the hands-on activities that help kids understand what they’ve read. There are 27 of these learning activities, ranging from making models of DNA and a lung, testing the sun’s power, understanding the power of soap, and “How fast can you catch this?”.

Using two plastic bottles and flexible straws, a funnel, and an assortment of craft supplies, kids can make a model illustrating the kidneys. In a partner activity, they try challenging each other, blindfolded, to identify unknown foods by taste and smell only.

how to form sign language letters
examples of the 5 senses

I even learned something. Did you know there are 5 tastes, not just 4? They are sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Umami is a Japanese term meaning “savory deliciousness.”

What parents should know

There is a disclaimer that the activities be done with adult supervision. Asses the potential for allergic reactions from the materials used. There is also a general medical disclaimer not to use the book’s information for diagnosis or treatment, rather consult a healthcare professional.

Content Alert: The book addresses reproduction by stating “to make a new baby, male and female reproductive organs work together. A sperm from the testicles combines with an egg from the ovaries.” One of the activities involves making a Play-Dough Embryo. Parents are left to explain how the egg and sperm get together in the first place.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it as a valuable resource for parents and teachers.

According to Amazon, this book is written at a third to seventh-grade level, and parents say this book is appropriate for kids 5 to 9 years old.


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Betty Choi, MD

Dr. Choi also founded the Chalk Academy. She credits many people with helping create this book. Her physician husband worked overtime and children, Isabel and Noah tested each activity. Physician colleagues provided feedback.

The art direction and book design was done by Alethea Morrison. ( I love finding someone whose name is so similar to mine.)

About the project, Dr. Choi wrote

It truly took a village to bring this passion project to life, and I thank God for bringing together many wonderful people.

The book is published by Storey Publishing whose mission is

To serve our customers by publishing practical information that encourages personal independence in harmony with the environment.

Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for sending this book for review consideration.

Professional Reader 25 Book Reviews

Learn more at the book’s website Human Body Learning.

exploring the HEART of health through books

HUMAN BODY is available from Amazon and Bookshop.org at these affiliate links and you can probably find it at your local library or your child’s school. If they don’t have it, ask them to obtain it.

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Thanks,

Dr. Aletha