Books or other media for young kids

[thomasf]

I’ve got 2 nephews and I’d like to buy them some kind of easter present that will help them understand and grow in their catholic faith. They’ve both been confirmed but my sister doesn’t really involve them in the church as much as they probably should be, imo. So I’d like to get them something they could read or watch or whatever that will speak to them on their level, and appeal to them. The oldest is going on 15 the youngest is around 11 or 12. Their godparents aren’t really interested in doing anything for them as far as the church goes, and I’d like to step in and do something myself. Being the cool Uncle Tom that I am.

Any suggestions? I’d like to get them something that will help them stick with their faith or give them reasons to be involved in the church, get them interested.

When I was their age, we didn’t get confirmed until 17 or so. Same with my older sisters. My nephews did their confession and communion and confirmation before the age of 10. And while I understand that the purpose of getting them confirmed at such an early age, I think it takes away from their development in faith. After confirmation they have no ccd classes to take any more and there’s nothing for them after. At least when I was coming up, we had ccd to continue in through 17 to keep us in the church and involved.

Thanks for any help!

 

[leonie]

I’ll have to disagree with you about confirmation. I think kids really need the graces they get for all the teen and preteen years.

But, I definitely agree about continuuing catechism. I’m still learning myself. Although, I attended CCD through 11th grade, I didn’t learn a lot. But, I think things are better now.

I have a lot of ideas for you. One of my favorite audio sets is Matthew Pinto’s* Faith FAQs* available from St. Joseph’s communication. It goes through the basics of the faith very thoroughly including why we believe in God. It also doesn’t talk down to kids.

*A Philadephia Catholic in King James’s Court *is an apologetics novel. It’s pretty engaging.

Matthew Pinto has two Q and A books that are easy reads and can be picked up at any time.

alibris.com/search/books/author/Pinto,%20Matthew%20J

My kids really enjoy Saint bios. I like all the Vision books the best. My older son really liked Saints in the Wilderness–it’s very dramatic. The kids seem more thoughtful and inspired after reading a biography.

shopping.yahoo.com/p:Saints%20Of%20The%20American%20Wilderness%3A%20The%20Brave%20Lives%20and%20Holy%20Deaths%20of%20the%20Eight%20North%20American%20Martyrs:3004252683;_ylc=X3oDMTB1c21tcDhkBF9TAzk2NjMyOTA3BHNlYwNmZWVkBHNsawNib29rcw–

aquinasandmore.com/index.cfm/title/Vision-Book-Series-of-Saints-for-Youth/FuseAction/store.ItemDetails/SKU/20418/ImageSize/Lg/index.htm

If your nephews aren’t readers, you might consider some other options. I’ve bought playing cards for my Godchildren

101foundation.com/catalog/index.php?target=products&product_id=553

If you have time to sit down and do a study with your nephews, there are lots of great programs geared towards teens.

The Great Adventure by Jeff Cavins is awesome. Christopher West has a Theology of the Body for teens. There are several very good Apologetics courses.

One of my very favorite books that I think a kid who loves history would like is Forgotten Catholic Heroes

catholiccompany.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=6385

When I read that one, I said WOW to myself.

My son also like Patrick Madrid’s *Pope Fiction *book. It is very readable.

As far as audio tape sets, RADIX has some good ones

radixguys.com/index2.html

This one in particular looked promising–I might get it myself for my kids

radixguys.com/audio/voyage.htm

 

[thomasf]

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

As far as confirmation goes, I’m torn. I know that having it at an older age, you tend to ‘miss’ some children, and there’s always the possiblity some kids will chose not to do it. For me, there wasn’t a choice. My mother would have thrown me out of the house if I hadn’t been confirmed. And frankly, having it at an older age meant that there were more classes and more activities for me as a teen to take part in the church.

Having it younger gets the kids confirmed and over with early. So even if they don’t stick with the church, they can come back and be full members. Problem is, I see so many kids get confirmed at age 10 or 11 and then they don’t participate in any other youth groups. In my sister’s case, they barely go to church anymore now that her 2 boys are confirmed. Which is horrible.

And which is why I want to get them things that will keep them thinking about God and Jesus and being Catholic.

I think an early confirmation with continuing ccd or youth formation groups would be the best solution.

 

[puzzleannie]

the younger age for confirmation presumes they will continue formal religious education, preferably in a Catholic school, but sadly that attitude has to change. The damage was done when the age for confirmation kept being shoved back so that it was seen as a graduation ceremony, not an initiation.

Books:
Do Adam and Eve Have Belly Buttons?
Does Jesus have a Last Name?
common questions asked by kids and good short answers. Ascention press, sold in most Catholic book catalogs