Question 1

What is your background expertise?

Accepted Answer

Betsy's educational background is in Cultural Studies and Art. She has lived abroad, researching in her field. She currently homeschools the children, while coordinating the majority of Thistles and Biscuits with a group of international consultants.

Tim's work as a university lecturer and published linguist has supplied necessary expertise in crafting well-researched educational materials. Tim is also a multi-instrumentalist, and the breadth of his ability and his understanding of music have directed our musical studies.

We live in the Middle East now, working, teaching English and occasional art classes and of course attempting to make beautiful, diverse curriculum for your families.

Question 2

Can you recommend a printing service?

Accepted Answer

Yes!

We have partnered with HardCopy HQ, who can provide you with a discounted price for printing services.

After purchasing our products, simply head over to https://hardcopyhq.com/category/thistles-and-biscuits and submit your receipt. After selecting your customizations where necessary, you'll be able to have your printed materials delivered straight to your door.

Question 3

I forgot to download my file and now the link says "Forbidden.""

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, our server automatically expires digital links after 30 days. We are very happy to resend the links, though! Just email us with your order number. Once they are downloaded, they are yours forever!

Question 4

What is the recommended age range on your country units?

Accepted Answer

We wrote these as family units because that is how we educate -- all at the table, or all on the floor, or all in the kitchen. They are geared towards K-6th grade. That said, we've had 3 to 18-year-olds enjoy aspects of our country units. Our booklists typically include age ranges from 3-14, with a few of the country units extending to high school ages.

Question 5

Can you tell me about The Field Journals?

Accepted Answer

We would love to! After many years of dreaming and long months of planning, we finally launched The Field Journals in 2025. This a gorgeous, physical Field Journal sent straight to your doorstep every month. This subscription is being hosted at our sister website.

Question 6

Can you tell me more about your partnerships?

Accepted Answer

We actively pursue relationships with artists and translators and help promote their businesses globally. We have seen firsthand the harm to creators and artists within their own cultures when multicultural materials are soley created or priced by westerners.

We believe in pricing units fairly both to create an easy avenue to multicultural education and to support local creators. Free and underpriced multicultural material often hurts local and national creators around the globe.

Some of the profits of units go directly towards local NGO and charities. We research diligently to make sure donations go directly into local staff and work.

Question 7

Is the curriculum secular, religious?

Accepted Answer

Nearly 100% of our materials are non-sectarian. We want people from any form of religious belief to feel both welcomed to use our products and treated with respect and dignity in our writing.

Naturally, some of our cultural resources will acknowledge and at times discuss religion. This writing is done in an informative, reporting tone in order to provide an awareness of the religious traditions being discussed. We do not demean religions in our educational materials, and we work to foster respect for adherents of other forms of belief, befitting of the international community.

We have produced a small selection of items related to our celebrations of Christmas. These items are explicitly labeled.