ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC HOMESCHOOL
SAINT BOOK NOOK

Along the Paths of the Gospel Saints Series, Daughters of St. Paul.
This series includes the following titles: Saint Angela Merici: Leading people to God, Saint Anthony of Padua: Proclaimer of the Good News, Saint Catherine Labouré: Mary’s Messenger, Saint Colette: In the Footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, Saint Francis of Assisi: God’s Gentle Knight, Saint John Bosco: The friend of children and young people, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux And the “little way” of love, and Saint Vincent de Paul: Servant of Charity. The hardcover books contain colorful pictures on each page. They make ideal reading for children ages 6 and up and may be enjoyed as read-alouds by children ages 4 and up.  Saint Colette: In the Footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare ranks among one of my children's favorite stories.

Book of Saints, Books 1 - 12, by Fr. Lovasik, Catholic Book Publishing Company.

Each book contains a one page story and one page colored picture of a saint. The books end with a little prayer. The stories are arranged in chronological order. All of my children like these books. My four year old spends a lot of time looking at the pictures.
Fr. Lovasik and Fr. Jude Winkler have also written other books that belong to this same series. Titles include Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Patrick, Mary my Mother, etc.

Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story, by Bryce Milligan, Eerdmans Books

The Holy Twins: Bernedict and Scholastica, by Kathleen Norris, Putnam Juvenile

Picture Book of Saints, Fr. Lovasik, Catholic Book Publishing.

This book contains a variety of saints' stories. Each story is approximately half a page and is accompanied by a beautiful colored picture of the saint. As always, Fr. Lovasik did a wonderful job. My children enjoy this book. The stories of the saints are not arranged in chronological order, nor do they cover the whole year.

Saint Patrick, by Ann Tompert, Boyds Mills Press 1998

Saint Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland, by Tomie de Paola

Saints for Young Readers for Everyday Volumes 1 and 2, Susan Hellen Wallace, FSP, Daughters of St. Paul.

I read from one of these books everyday. The books have a story (1 to 2 pages) of a saint or blessed for each day of the year in chronological order (Volume 1 covers January to June, Volume 2 covers July to December). My six year old enjoys telling Daddy about the saint during dinner. My four year old will sometimes listen to the story. Each story ends with a little synopsis of how we can learn from or ask assistance of that day's saint. For instance, "Instead of quitting when things get hard, we can ask St. Emily de Vialar to make us strong and patient as she was." The books contain a few black and white drawings (not many).
My one hesitation about recommending these books to others is the story of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions (Volume 1, p. 275). There is nothing wrong with this story in relation to Church teaching; however, the subject matter was inappropriate for young children. I intend to use these books for many years. I highly recommend them for their ease of use. I used to look at the calendar and then at our various saints books to read the saint of the day to the children. Now I just pick up one book and open to my bookmark (holy card). (Christine B. 9/03)