Saints' lives for children
by Various
Men need the elevating example of Catholic heroes. Learning from the saints what it is to live and die for the faith is an essential element of a boy's Catholic character development. Start by giving them this easy-to-read compilation of short stories and inspire the boys of today to be the saints that inspire others tomorrow.
Lives of Saints include:
| St Andrew, the Apostle | St Charles Borromeo | St Edward, King of England | St Francis of Assisi |
| St George, Martyr | St Henry II, Emperor | St James, the Apostle | St Joseph |
| St Louis, King of France | St Maurice and his companions | St Patrick | St Stephen, King of Hungary |
| St Thomas Aquinas | St William, Abp, Confessor |
Paperback, size 6" x 4", 248 pages
Saints and Festivals
A Cycle of the Year for Young People
by Mother Mary Salome
Mother Mary Salome wrote a volume of meditations called The Feasts of Mother Church in 1904, covering many of the most important feasts of the Liturgical Year. In 1913, she followed up with Saints and Festivals, adapting portions of her earlier work for a younger audience.
In addition to Christmas, Easter and the stories of well-beloved saints, children will also discover the stories of lesser-known heroes of the Church such as St. Chad, St. Serapion, St. John the Dwarf and St. Hilda of Whitby. Even St. John Cantius finds a home in these pages. Peppered throughout with the imaginative illustrations of Gabriel Pippet, this volume makes a wonderful resource for children to take part in the yearly cycle of the Church.
Age range: 9 - 15
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 264 pages
by Dessi Jackson
Illustrated by Martina Parnelli
After praying for a child for many years, a wealthy couple is finally blessed with a beautiful baby boy. To their surprise, they discover a cross-shaped birthmark on his chest, but they have no idea what extraordinary graces God will bestow on him.
As a young man, Rocco renounces his fortune and enters the Franciscan Third Order, choosing the life of a poor traveling pilgrim. He stops in towns to care for the sick, especially plague victims. His prayers and labors result in many miracles. Then one day, he catches the plague too, and the townsfolk force him to go away. With no one to care for him in his dire need, he staggers to a hut outside town and entrusts himself to God. And God does not disappoint him!
This beautifully illustrated children's book follows the legends of Saint Rocco, including ones that explain how he became the patron saint of dogs!
Age range: 6+
Paperback, size 9.5" x 7.5", 40 pages
by Fr. Gales
10 short, captivating stories about well-known saints:
St. Gabriel the Archangel, St. Joseph, St. Agnes of Rome, St. Patrick, St. Benedict, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Dominic, St. Margaret Mary, St. Therese, and St. Michael the Archangel.
A great introduction for little children! Beautiful illustrations on every page!
Ages: 2-10
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 32 pages
by Dessi Jackson
On the road to San Damiano, Grandma Nonna shares with her grandson Antonio a once-upon-a-time story about Saint Clare. Full-colour illustrations and a delightful tale capture the beauty and faith of Saint Clare as she pursues her vocation and embraces the joyful and simple Franciscan spirituality. Ever appreciative of the little things, Clare's happiness blossoms even more with her wonderful discovery of a tiny kitten.
Ages range: 03 - 08 years
Paperback, size 9.5" x 7.5", 38 pages
A first book for little Catholics
by by Father Gales
The young Catholic learns about a very brave Saint who wrote letters, or epistles that we read in the holy Bible.
Ages 2-10
Paperback, size 6.3" x 5.2", 20 pages, Impr, 1957
For other titles in this series please click here.
A first book for little Catholics
by Father Gales
The young Catholic learns the story of Saint Peter. It tells what happened when Peter tried to walk on water. It explains how he denied our Lord three times and was very sorry for doing that. Peter was the first Pope of the Church.
Ages 2-10
Paperback, size 6.3" x 5.2", 20 pages, Impr, 1956
For other titles in this series please click here.
by Maura Roan McKeegan
Conrad of Piacenza was a nobleman, living in a medieval castle in Italy. One day, he went out hunting with his servants, and a fire broke out in the forest. What happened next would change his life forever.
In St. Conrad and the Wildfire, children of all ages will discover the power of truth and forgiveness. Introduce children to St. Conrad through Maura Roan McKeegan’s moving retelling and Patty Borgman’s magnificent illustrations that bring the saint to life.
Paperback, 28 pages
Character Calendar
by Sr Mary Fidelis & Sr Mary Charitas
This pocket-size volume contains a wealth of spiritual guidance through daily devotions to the saint or feast of the day. Originally written in 1931 for upper grade school children by a pair of Notre Dame School Sisters, this book was later updated to align with the General Roman Calendar of 1954.
Beginning with a brief introduction to the saint of the day, augmented by excerpts from the Imitation of Christ and from the Mass for the day, as well as an ideal to ponder and an "action item", this is a wonderful way to focus on the virtues of each of the saints, and thereby to make our lives an imitation of theirs.
Paperback, size 7" x 4.37", 288 pages
by Amy Steedman
The stories of saints and sinners alike populate the pages of this unique book for children. Under the author's loving touch, these enchanting tales come alive with scenes of old Italy, from the poor but generous Saint Zita in her native Lucca to the captive Turkish Princess Stellante and her beloved Bartolo in prosperous Venice. Each of these widely varied characters must face their own struggle against the selfish desires of this world in order to achieve true happiness, both here and in the hereafter.
The water-colors by Katharine Cameron add infinite charm, and new illustrations enhance the captivating history of these legends and stories.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 175 pages
by F. A. Forbes
St. Athanasius of Alexandria is one of the greatest saints in the history of the Church and perhaps the single greatest champion of the Divinity of Christ. From an early age, he was marked for the clerical life, and even for becoming the successor of the Patriarch of Alexandria. Although still a deacon under thirty years of age, he was present in 325 at the First Council of Nicaea as the secretary of Patriarch Alexander, playing a great part in the promulgation of the "consubstantiality" of the Son and the Father. Soon after, Athanasius succeeded in the Patriarchate and became the most prominent and aggressive defender of Trinitarian orthodoxy against Arianism, which said that the Son was not God but a creature.
He underwent no fewer than five exiles and multiple rigged trials, standing up to emperors and numerous Eastern bishops who supported some form of Arianism. It goes without saying that Athanasius's faith and dedication to Christ was undying to the last. Saint Athanasius: The Father of Orthodoxy details the life of this holy and excellent bishop, Doctor of the Church, and Champion of Orthodoxy in a way accessible to young and old alike. Let the reading of this great saint's life fill you with zeal for the truths of the faith and gain you a powerful heavenly intercessor.
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 116 pages, Impr, 3 Illustrations
by Brother Flavius, C.S.C.
Catherine was born into a noble family in Egypt around the year 292. When Catherine grew up and was considering marriage, she had a wonderful dream in which the Blessed Mother presented Jesus to her. Catherine fell in love with Jesus and wanted to be His spouse, but He refused because she was not baptized. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of St Catherine who loved Jesus above all others and tried her best to please Him.
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
by Various
Young women need the elevating example of Catholic heroines throughout history. It is an essential element of Catholic character development, especially in the modern world.
This easy-to-read compilation of moving short stories will inspire the girls of today to be the saints that inspire others tomorrow.
Lives of Saints include:
| St. Agnes | St. Angela Merici | St. Anne | St. Bridget of Sweden |
| St. Catherine of Siena | St. Cecilia | St. Elizabeth of Hungary | St. Frances of Rome |
| St. Genevieve | St. Helena, Empress | St. Jane Frances de Chantal | St. Margaret of Scotland |
| St. Matilda | St. Rose of Lima |
Paperback, size 6" x 4", 248 pages
by Edward M. Long
This illustrated work for children narrates one of the most extraordinary incidents in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, his heroic act to save the village of Gubbio from a ravenous wolf. Since Saint Francis loved God and lived a virtuous life, God used him as an instrument to tame the wolf and save the village.
Age range: 9-12 years
Booklet, size 11" x 8.5", 22 pages
by William Canton
Those who delight in Canton's other well-loved children's books, A Child's Book of Saints and A Child's Book of Warriors, will find much to satisfy in his Story of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. Canton has consulted some of the earliest sources to assemble a tale as rich in historical detail as it is in poetic beauty.
Saint Elizabeth's sweetness and generosity are brought to life in these pages, now beautifully retypeset and enhanced with a map showing the locations as they were in 13th century Europe. This volume also features the breathtaking full-colour illustrations of Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale, found in the original 1912 edition.
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 162 pages
A Story of Saint Bridget of Sweden
by Brother Roberto, C.S.C.
Born in the early 1300's this Catholic was destined for great things. One of her daughters also became a saint as well. She was known to be generous to the poor.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
St Patrick, Apostle of Ireland
The Notre Dame Series of Lives of the Saints
by Sisters of Notre Dame
The enigmatic Saint Patrick is perhaps the most widely known saint...about whom very little is widely known. This, then, is the perfect book for those who wish to become better acquainted with his true story.
Originally published in 1911, this authoritative account of Saint Patrick's life and deeds seeks to balance the many popular legends with the best scholarship of the day. The result is neither overly scholarly nor overly fanciful--just a straightforward, readable narrative that is sure to appeal to all ages. Moreover, those works which are reliably attributed to Saint Patrick--namely his Confession, his Epistle to Coroticus, and his Prayer before Tara (also known as St. Patrick's Breastplate)--can be found in their entirety in the appendix.
What sets this edition apart from other books about this saint, however, are the copious illustrations. These engravings, taken from a 19th century text, portray Patrick not as a stately bishop, but in the simple robes which are perhaps better fitted for this greatest of missionary saints.
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 218 pages
by Tomie dePaola
This beautiful new edition of dePaola's 1978 classic retelling of a French legend stars a little juggler whose unique talent leads him to what might be a Christmas miracle.
Little Giovanni is poor and homeless, but he can do something wonderful: he can juggle.
The people of Sorrento marvel at his talents, and before long, he becomes famous throughout Italy for his rainbow of colored balls that delight the nobility and townspeople alike. But as the years pass, Giovanni grows old, and his talents begin to fail him. No longer a celebrated performer, he is once again poor and homeless, begging for his food.
Until one Christmas Eve, when Giovanni picks up his rainbow of colored balls once more. And what happens next just might be a miracle…
Hardcover, size 11.2" x 8.7", 48 pages
by Dessi Jackson and Illustrated by Claire Brandenburg
When a young monk is assigned the task of tending to the monastery's bees, a unique friendship blooms.
Based on the life of Saint Modomnoc, this beautifully illustrated children's book brings the past alive in its retelling of the history of The Church of the Beekeeper in Ireland.
Hardcover, size 10.25" x 8.25", 28 pages
Saint Dymphna of Ireland
by Susan Peek
An insane king. His fleeing daughter. Estranged brothers, with a scarred past, risking everything to save her from a fate worse than death. Toss in a holy priest and a lovable wolfhound, and get ready for a wild race across Ireland. Will Dymphna escape her deranged father and his sinful desires? For the first time ever, the story of Saint Dymphna is brought to life in this dramatic novel for adults and older teens. With raw adventure, gripping action, and even humor in the midst of dark mental turmoil, Susan Peek's newest novel will introduce you to a saint you will love forever! Teenage girls will see that Dymphna was just like them, a real girl, while young men will thrill at the heart-stopping danger and meet heroes they can easily relate to. If ever a Heavenly friend was needed in these times of widespread depression and emotional instability, this forgotten Irish saint is it!
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 316 pages