Catholic books for our children

[Trinitatem]

I am on the lookout for some good books for my children to read during mass. Something on scriptures or the mass itself. Ages are under 5 years. Every time I peruse the Catholic stores, I don’t find much. Any suggestions?

Thanks, T.

 

[hsmom2four]

St. Joseph picture books are good - they’re about $1.00 a piece, on many different topics.

 

[Galandriel]

You know it’s hard to find great Catholic Literature for children. As a public school teacher, there are great pieces of literature about everything and anything in many genres with beautiful pictures. But if someone would write/illustrate great CATHOLIC children’s stories, they’d make a fortune! As a first grade CCD teacher, I have to make up my own. Max Lucado’s “You are Special” and “Green Noses” and others are working for me, but there is hardly anything else.

also, the Princess and the Kiss.

 

[Makerteacher]

I don’t mean to be confrontational, but why are you having your children read during Mass? I may have misunderstood you. Our kids were allowed to look at Sacramental books, like the ones recommended above, BEFORE Mass, but not during Mass, when their attention, as best they could give it depending on their ages, was to be directed on the Mass.

 

[system]

Here’s a super-duper, all in one place, great resource for you: A Landscape with Dragons by Michael D. O’Brien, published by Ignatius Press.

I’ve given away so many copies of this book that…I don’t have a copy anymore. But before I gave away my last copy, I photocopied the book list from the back of the book. It was compiled by the people at Bethlehem Books (more on them later) and gives probably hundreds of books ranging from ‘read-to-me/picture book’ level through young adult. Not every book is ‘Catholic,’ but all the books promote timeless moral/family values.

You could use that list for years. My favorite suggestion is to make copies of the list and give them to grandparents and godparents - anyone who needs to know what to get your kids for a present. Tell them ‘anything on this list for their age level’ and you know that you are safe. Also great if you take your kids to the public library and are clueless about the value/content of what they are reading. Tell the kids they can borrow and read anything on the list, but anything that’s not on the list, you have to read first and pass. A Landscape with Dragons, by the way, will give you great insights into what’s wholesome and what’s not wholesome reading for Catholic kids.

It’s terrific to have a reliable list of books that your children can safely read. I can’t recommend A Landscape with Dragons enough for every parent and librarian.

Bethlehem books are available through Ignatius press - either their website or their print catalogue. BB started out as a group of Evangelicals, I think, or Baptists, living a communal life ‘as they did in the early church’ (at least as they imagined it). The ‘commune’ converted wholesale to the Catholic Church at some point. Meanwhile, a couple of things happened: they needed a business to support the commune, and as they had children, they noticed the steady erosion of both quality and moral values in recent children’s literature. They decided to go into publishing and bring back into print classic character-forming children’s literature and to publish new books that fit that description.

Try Bethlehem books for all ages. Can’t go wrong.

 

[Trinitatem]

Makerteacher:

When you have a four-year-old and a one-year old, I believe a “translation” of the mass is needed. I agree that when children are old enough, they need to be completely involved in the mass. But the over-active brains of early age children can’t always contemplate the meaning behind the mass. Sometimes, and I’m not talking about Dr. Seuss here, but a mass book or book of scriptures for children may more adequetely impress the beauty of the mass upon their minds, as opposed to obedience “because this is what we do.” When I was small, my favorite book was about how Jesus fed thousands of people with just one bushel of bread and a few fish. I will never forget that book. I think certain books can foster a love for God and Jesus that will grow with them into adulthood. I do agree that children need to be taught at an early age about the mass, so they can understand what it is all about, but how many of us actually do that, as opposed to just teaching them the motions without the meaning?

 

[aeddyblouin]

Do a search for Catholic Homeschooling companies–they have a LOT of good books. We stick with children’s bibles, or books on particular parables. Also Mass books for children. Our youngest ones are expected to pray when we pray, sing, and be watching the concecration–at other times they can look at books. Our older ones have My First Magnificat–a children’s weekly missal, which helps them learn about the Mass and follow along. Before Mass we read the Gospel, talk about it, and review expectations with everyone. Toddlers and pre-schoolers respond well when you sit REALLY close to the alter, and take the time to point out the moment of concecration–“Look, Jesus is comming!” etc. When I try to communicate the reality of the Mass to my little ones it strengthens my own faith and awareness of this great gift from God.

Family practices like praying the rosary together can also help children get used to sitting quietly for longer periods of time. While we don’t want to set kids up for failure, we also don’t want to underestimate what they are able to do regarding being quiet and attentive etc. TV is a big hinderance to the long attention span need for Sunday Mass. Daily Mass can be easier because it is often shorter. When we go to Mass once or twice during the week Sunday seems to be easier for the children.

 

[hsmom2four]

Nel:

Here’s a super-duper, all in one place, great resource for you: A Landscape with Dragons by Michael D. O’Brien, published by Ignatius Press.

I didn’t really care for this book - thought it was a bit too “picky” (for lack of a better word); also thought the author left out too many good books from his list in the back - no Dickens, no Shakespeare for example. All of his books were there, though. Just my :twocents: I know I’m probably in the minority about this.

Nel:

Try Bethlehem books for all ages. Can’t go wrong.

Love these, and my kids do too. Don’t know if it will hold the attention of a toddler, but maybe the older child. We read these aloud in our family. The kids also like to listen to the Mary Fabyan Windeat saint stories, and the Vision Saint Books series. DO read them stories of the saints - I have seen such virtuous behavior inspired by these. :angel1:

You should be able to find some Catholic board books here: catholicshopper.com. My kids had Baby’s First Catholic Prayers, and a lift the flap bible story book (forget the exact title) that kept them busy when they were toddlers. hth!