Elizabeth Yank

Madeleine Takes Command (audio)

Book cover: 'Madeleine Takes Command (audio)'
Author(s): 
Ethel C. Brill
Madeleine Takes Command is a story of heroism. Based on a true account in the winter 1692-93 in the wilderness of French Canada, fourteen-year-old Madeleine, along with her brothers, twelve-year-old Louis and ten-year-old Alexandre, hold down the fort against a raiding Iroquois party.

Daddy's Lullaby

Book cover: 'Daddy's Lullaby'
Author(s): 
Tony Bradman
Illustrator(s): 
Jason Cockcroft
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.

Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show For Kids Vol. 2

Book cover: 'Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show For Kids Vol. 2'
Author(s): 
Gerald & Denise Montpetit

In volume two, the characters include the dad, his two children, and their cousins, Sarah and Jesse. The setting is a camping trip by a lake. As the family with their cousins gathers around the evening campfire, the dad relates stories of what it means to have Jesus in your heart, and how to imitate Jesus even in difficult moments. My only suggestion is that we discuss with our children that as parents we have already invited Jesus into their "hearts" (souls) when they were baptized as infants.

Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show for Kids Vol. 1

Book cover: 'Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show for Kids Vol. 1'
Author(s): 
Gerald & Denise Montpetit

"Cat. Chat." "Cat. Chat." That is all my children have been singing for the last two days, since they received the two Cat. Chat CDs (short for Catholic chats about God). These CD's combine "faith-filled" stories, lively (contemporary Catholic/Christian) songs and heartfelt prayer, all within the context of family life. These kid-appealing CD's also include the family cat, Moses, who introduces the family, makes comments, and closes each session.

Building the Family Cookbook

Book cover: Building the Family Cookbook
Author(s): 
Suzanne Fowler
Ruth Catherine Fowler
Building the Family Cookbook by Suzanne Fowler is not your typical cookbook. Although the layout is similar to most church cookbooks with a comb binding that allows it to lay flat for reading, the contents include much more than recipes.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Missionary of Charity

Book cover: 'Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Missionary of Charity'
Author(s): 
Mary Kathleen Glavich, S.N.D.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta is the story of her life simply told for children. Although it is a children's book, it covers enough material for even an adult to have a greater appreciation of her life. Written as a short chapter book with a few illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, it begins with her childhood in Albania and follows her decision to become a missionary and join the Loreto sisters, and continues after her dramatic step to serve the poorest of the poor without any financial backer. This is a true lesson in trusting in God's Divine Providence.

American History for Young Catholics, Grade 1

Book cover: 'American History for Young Catholics, Grade 1'
American History for Young Catholics includes 18 short stories, offering a gentle introduction to American History. Not longer than two pages each, each interesting selection takes less than five minutes to read aloud. The stories include famous American heroes; such as George Washington and Daniel Boone; American Saints, such as Kateri Tekawitha and St. Frances Cabrini; and interesting facts about American history, such as famous inventions and the Panama Canal. The selections are short, but substantive.

Hope's Revolutionary War Diary

Author(s): 
Kristiana Gregory
For young readers, this is an extremely well written account of the American Revolution. Written as a diary of a young girl, the book opens with Hope's family living with her relatives in Valley Forge. This quickly changes, however, when her family moves back to Philadelphia.

The Shadow of the Bear

Book cover: 'The Shadow of the Bear: Snow White and Rose Red Retold'
Author(s): 
Regina Doman
This book was originally published in hardcover as Snow White and Rose Red: A Modern Fairy Tale. The original edition is out of print.

Among homeschool teenage girls who read this book, there is an interesting phenomenon occurring. They read this book, not once, not twice, but numerous times. In fact, my daughter's friend has lost track of how many times she has read it. Intrigued by this phenomenon, I was curious to read this book.

26 Fairmount Avenue

Book cover: '26 Fairmount Avenue'
Author(s): 
Tomie de Paola
With 26 Fairmount Avenue, Tomie dePaola has written an account of when he was four and five years old and awaiting the building of his new home on Fairmount Ave. The story opens in 1938 with a huge hurricane blowing into town, upsetting life as well as trees. Mama calms everyone's fears by sprinkling the neighbors and the children with holy water. (Direct Catholic references are few, but nice to see.)

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