Stories for Children

Along the Paths of the Gospel Series

Book cover: 'Along the Paths of the Gospel Series'
Number of pages: 
71 pages
Publisher: 
Pauline Books and Media
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
These little saint stories, beautifully illustrated by Augusta Curelli, are very appealing to children because of the nice hardcover format and the full-color pictures on each page. The moderate amount of text (about 4-10 lines per page) makes it fairly accessible to beginning or reluctant readers. We found this series to be an excellent help to our eight year old son who was struggling with reading. I was delighted at how much he enjoyed reading about the saints and he didn't even mind reading about the girl saints. :) The sewn binding (so unusual even in hardcover books nowadays) make the books very sturdy for heavy family use. Children may need help reading the names of people and places.

Individual Titles:

  • Saint Angela Merici: Leading People to God by Sr. Maryellen Keefe, OSU
  • Saint Anthony of Padua: Proclaimer of the Good News by Marie Baudouin-Croix
  • Saint Catherine Laboure: Mary's Messenger by Sister Marie-Genevieve Roux and Sister Elisabeth Charpy
  • Sister Colette: In the Footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare by the Poor Clares of Poligny and Sister Elisabeth
  • Saint Francis of Assisi: God's Gentle Knight by Francoise Vintrou
  • Saint Therese of Lisieux and the "Little Way" of Love
  • Saint Vincent de Paul: Servant of Charity by Sister Catherine Ethievant

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
2-18-04

Angus and the Ducks

Author(s): 
Marjorie Flack
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1930
Binding: 
Other
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
Angus is a little Scottish terrier who is terribly curious about everything - especially a noise coming from the other side of the large green hedge. One day, when "the door between outdoors and indoors was left open by mistake" he goes exploring to discover what makes that noise. His adventures are very cute, my children love hearing the sounds made by Angus and by the ducks. The text is very short and simple, but the real beauty is in the language which has a charming and humorous flow to it - it is perfect for reading aloud to little ones.. When my son was three and tired of me reading so many long books to his older sister, this one really helped him start to enjoy stories.
Additional notes: 

Various editions available

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1999

Chanticleer and the Fox

Book cover: 'Chanticleer and the Fox'
Author(s): 
Barbara Cooney
Illustrator(s): 
Barbara Cooney
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1958
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
This is an illustrated, children's adaptation of "The Nun's Priest's Tale" from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. It's a simple moral tale, reminiscent of Aesop's Fables, with a lesson about the dangers of flattery and pride. A prideful rooster faces danger as he is flattered by a cunning fox. Truly a classic.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
11-15-2000

Daddy's Lullaby

Book cover: 'Daddy's Lullaby'
Author(s): 
Tony Bradman
Illustrator(s): 
Jason Cockcroft
Number of pages: 
25 pages
Copyright: 
2001
Publisher: 
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
Daddy's Lullaby by Tony Bradman, beautifully illustrated by Jason Cockcroft, is a children's storybook about a young dad who comes home late at night to find the baby wide awake in his crib. In his efforts to soothe the baby back to sleep, dad cuddles him in his arms and tours the house with the baby to see all the other sleeping members of the family. When that doesn't work, dad takes the baby downstairs and sings him a soft lullaby about "Daddy will hold you safe from all harm" and "Love you forever--A promise he'll keep." Exhausted from his long week at work, dad falls asleep with the baby nestled in his arms. In the morning, mom and big brother find them still sleeping peacefully. The strength and power of this dad is displayed in his commitment to his family, "let me chase that bad old dream away" and the warmth and the love he has for them with words like "And here's the best mother a baby could have. You're a lucky baby and I'm a lucky dad!" In this day and age of broken homes, this story is a refreshing encouragement to dads about the real meaning of family life. The captivating pictures poignantly illustrate the tenderness and love of this dad for his family.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
6-22-04

Happy Birth Day!

Book cover: 'Happy Birth Day!'
Author(s): 
Robie H. Harris
Illustrator(s): 
Michael Emberley
Number of pages: 
24 pages
Copyright: 
1996
Publisher: 
Candlewick Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
This is a simple story of a mother describing her baby's first day after birth. It focuses on how the baby looks and acts and how much the baby is loved by the parents and extended family. The best part, I think, are the illustrations. The illustrator has wonderfully captured the lovable yet wrinkly face of a newborn and the beautiful excitement and exhaustion of bringing a new life into the world. It is a wonderful book for toddlers and other young children to read while anticipating the arrival of a new sibling.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
6-22-04

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