Saints' lives for children
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
by Susan Peek
Meet Saint Anastasia, one of the greatest Christmas saints and the Patroness of Martyrs. Take her hand and let her lead you to the Crib! When people think of saints that remind them of Christmas, Saint Anastasia is almost always forgotten. For centuries, this humble and unassuming martyr has remained hidden in the shadows of the stable. Yet of all the saints in Heaven, she is the only one whose feast day falls on Christmas itself! It's about time she stepped forward and made some new friends! Join Saint Anastasia and her best friend, Saint Theodota, as they bravely prove their love for God and neighbour, even unto the sacrifice of their own lives.
Paperback, size 10" x 8", 40 pages, Full colour illustrations
by Pierre and Germaine Noury
Last but not least in this trilogy of illustrated books about the saints, this wonderful retelling of the life of St. Francis has surprising depth for a children’s book. The story of St. Francis is full of inspiration for both young and old, for in his life, we see the triumph that the Holy Spirit can achieve through us when we say yes despite the weakness of our human nature.
When Francis was born, a mysterious visitor predicted that he would become one of the greatest men in the world. His father expected that this would be a worldly greatness, but God had a different plan. If Francis Bernardone had been merely a great merchant, we would likely have never heard of him. Instead, today he is among the most beloved of saints…all because he first said yes to God in little things, and this led to ever greater things.
Other titles in this series include: The Blessed Virgin: Mary our Mother and Saint Nicholas Patron Saint of Children.
Hardcover, size 11" x 8.5", 36 pages
by Ethel Pochocki
These stories, the author explains, are meant to show human and lovable people whose mysterious passion for God led them into preposterous escapades. With an eye on the taste of a child for concrete detail and no apologies for the embroidery of legend, each tale, in a style akin to fairy-tale, sets forth the unique qualities of these wonderful saints.
Saints included:
| St Alice (Adelaide of Burgundy) | St Ambrose of Milan | St Anne | St Barbara |
| St Barnaby of Compiegne | St Benedict the Black (of San Fradello) | St Christopher | St Clement I |
| St Comgall | St David of Wales | St Dorothea | St Edward the Confessor |
| St Elizabeth of Portugal | St Felix I | St Genevieve | St Hubert of Liege |
Ages: 5+
Paperback, 96 pages
by Pierre and Germaine Noury
Second in the series of illustrated books by Pierre and Germaine Noury is the tale of a saint who is so widely popular that almost no one knows his true story…because they know him only as Santa Claus.
But long before he was known as the Christmas gift-bringer, St. Nicholas was greatly beloved--in life, for his kindness and generosity--and afterward, for his great miracles, which soon gained him the title Nicholas the Wonderworker. Once nearly every seaport in Christendom featured a church dedicated to him, and he remains one of the most revered saints in the Eastern Church. And did you know that even to this day, a miraculous fluid called manna still flows from his bones???
Now in this wonderfully illustrated book your family can learn some of the stories of the amazing miracles attributed to the great St Nick!
Other titles in this series include: The Blessed Virgin: Mary our Mother and Saint Francis of Assisi: the Little Poor Man.
Hardcover, size 8.5" x 11", 36 pages
Loving is Giving Everything Away
by Francesco Rizzato
In this colorful and vibrant graphic novel, St. Thérèse of Lisieux reveals to children the story of her soul and her secret to holiness: “To love is to give everything and to give yourself.” Children will come to understand that the “Little Way” of St. Thérèse consists of trust, love, and generosity, and they will learn how to abandon themselves in the arms of Jesus like the Little Flower.
Never before has the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux been presented in such a beautiful and engaging way for young readers.
With this book, children will come to know St. Thérèse, her goodness, her peace in times of trial, her devotion to Our Lady, and her intense love for the Holy Eucharist.
Hardcover, size 11" x 8.5", 48 pages
by Patricia Lee Gauch
Joseph called himself Little Donkey--such a clumsy, foolish fellow, or so everyone thought. That is perhaps why people of Cupertino did not notice what happened whenever Joseph was overjoyed. He did not merely smile or squeeze his sides or rub his hands together. Joseph flew.
The late, beloved children's book illustrator Tomie dePaola's imaginative, colorful artwork, and Patricia Lee Gauch's charming story, offer children a warm, humorous look at Saint Joseph of Cupertino, whose humility and joy made him light enough to float on air.
Hardcover, size 9" x 10.5", 32 pages
Wonder Stories of God's People
by Rev. P. Henry Matimore
This second volume in the Madonna Series, intended for the fourth grade, follows on from the Bible stories found in its predecessor, A Child’s Garden of Religion Stories. Where that volume focused on the early portions of the Old Testament, including the stories of Creation, of Abraham and of the Exodus, this one begins with Jacob and his son Joseph, then jumps ahead to the stories of Samson and David, Job, Daniel and Esther. Likewise, where the first volume presented the birth and early life of Christ, here we find the stories of His Miracles as well as His Passion and Death. Finally we end with several stories of the Saints, from St. Ignatius of Antioch to St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes.
This book has been printed in full colour with a hardcover binding because of its beautiful illustrations!
Hardcover, size 5.83" x 8.27", 368 pages
by Br Ernest, CSC
Saul was born in the early 1st century. His father was Jewish and a Roman citizen. He was a tentmaker by trade and Saul planned on following in his father's trade. While growing up he was given a good education and enjoyed athletics. As a Jew he didn't like Christians and wanted to hunt them down and bring them to trial. He was even present at the stoning of St. Stephen, who is known as the first martyr of the Christian religion. But as you will read God has other plans for Saul later known as Paul. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Paul by realizing that we need to follow Jesus and that even if we make mistakes we need to understand that His mercy is endless.
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
by Brother Ernest C.S.C.
John began to be a follower of Jesus at an early age. He loved Jesus very much. He was the only disciple who stood beneath the Cross with the Blessed Mother, Mary of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene: faithful to the end. From the Cross Jesus looked at His Mother and said, "Woman, behold thy son." Then to John He said, "Behold thy Mother." What a gift Jesus gave to John-the gift of caring for His Mother. Let us try to follow in the footsteps of Saint John by remaining faithful to the end and practicing love for one another. Has Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C
As a teenager Patrick was captured by invaders and taken to Ireland where he was sold as a slave. After many years he escaped and went to France.After being ordained a priest Patrick went back to Ireland to become its Bishop. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of St Patrick who answered God's call and helped bring a whole nation closer to God.
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
A Book in the Series of Amazing Saints
by Anna Kuck, illustrated by Sisters of the Congegation of the Mother of God
A Grecian princess vows her virginity to Christ. When Diocletian the Roman Emperor endeavors to win her hand and is rejected, he is enraged and throws her into prison. Philomena courageously endures the tortures he devises and is assisted by heaven. In the end, the virgin Philomena wins the glorious palm of martyrdom.
Age range froim 5-9
Paperback, size 8.5" x 8.5", 44 pages
by William Canton
Young people--boys and girls alike--will delight in these stories of the saints, many of which will be entirely new to them, as the author has brought out several stories of less-well-known early British saints. An early companion to the popular Child's Book of Warriors, this book was also published under the title W.V.'s Golden Legend in the United States.
William Canton was a journalist, poet and an author of children's books such as The Invisible Playmate (1894), W.V., Her Book (1896/97), and A Child's Book of Warriors (1912). His style in storytelling embodies the legacy of British literature going back as far as Shakespeare and beyond, lending a sophisticated air to prose that is simultaneously charming and accessible.
This book has been painstakingly retypeset in exact imitation of the turn-of-century style of the 1898 original, and includes all the original illustrations including the original cover.
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 268 pages
by Rev P. Henry Matimore
The purpose of this beautiful book is to acquaint our children with biographies that will have some particular influence on the development of their characters. Each story has been planned as a real character training project, not merely as a reading lesson, to inspire admiration for faith and religious heroism.
"To accomplish this purpose, we have endeavored to stimulate interest in each saint by presenting him or her as a real human being who lived in a real world among real people and not as a super-being surrounded by miraculous wonders. We have tried to make the saints human, admirable, and lovable, and therefore imitate-able." (from the Foreword). Questions and Things to Do are found at the end of each story.
| St Cecilia | St Sebastian of Rome | St Agnes of Rome | St Monica | St Patrick |
| St Columba | St Boniface | St Thomas of Canterbury | St Francis of Assisi | St Hedwig |
| St Hyacinth | St Louis IX | St Gertrude | St John Nepomucene | St Joan of Arc |
| St Thomas More | St Franis Xavier | St Aloysius | St Vincent de Paul | St Issac Jogues |
| St Gerard Majella | The Cure of Ars | St Theophane Venard | St Damien of Molokai | St Therese of Lisieux |
Ages: 9 - 12
Paperback, size 8.2" x 5.8", 302 pages
A Book for Little Catholics to Colour and Keep
by a Sister of Maryknoll
Most pages have a beautiful line drawing and story on same page. Story of how St. Anthony showed the townspeople the love of God by preaching to the fishes and a mule!
Paperback, size 11” x 8.5”, 32 pages
by Br Ernest, CSC
In 1888 this young girl enters the Carmelite convent at the age of 15. Reading this story about Saint Therese can help us see how to grow in holiness by doing even the smallest things with great love for God!
Level 1
Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages
A Story of Saint Philomena
by Brother Roberto, C.S.C.
In the 3rd or 4th century, a young Christian girl was buried in the catacombs of Rome. Her burial place was marked with the inscription "Pax tecum Filumena" ("Peace to you, Philomena") along with symbols indicating that she was a virgin and a martyr. After her relics were discovered in 1802, many miracles began to be reported.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
A Story of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
by Brother Roberto, C.S.C.
Born in 1090 near Dijon, France, Bernard's parents believed God had special plans for their son. As a Cistercian monk, St. Bernard helped to inspire other to seek holiness through solitude, poverty, prayer, and work.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages
A Story of Saint Francis Xavier
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C.
Born in the Navarre region of Spain in 1506, Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus. As a Jesuit priest, Francis was sent as a missionary to India. He undertook this mission with a great zeal to win souls for Christ. For more than 10 years, Francis faced dangerous travel conditions, learned new languages, and fearlessly preached the gospel to thousands of people in India and Japan. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis Xavier, who had a great zeal for winning souls for Christ and worked tirelessly to help others learn about God.
Level 2
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 96 pages