Ana Braga-Henebry

Saint Clare of Assisi

Author(s): 
Marianne Lorraine Trouve, FSP
Illustrator(s): 
Mary Joseph Peterson, FSP
With warm, cute illustrations, and accessible language, the courageous story of Saint Clare comes alive in this little book! Young readers will be captivated by the story of a girl who gave up everything for the love of God! Her many miracles, her life in poverty, the love she had for Saint Francis and her sisters: it is all in there. A final chapter explains how the order grew and subsequent decisions made about it-- for instance the changing of its name to the Order of Saint Clare in 1263. There are also a beautiful prayer and a glossary for terms that may be unfamiliar to young readers.

The Beautiful Story of Jesus

Author(s): 
Maite Roche
Translator(s): 
Marianne Lorraine Trouve', FSP
This is the second book by the French author Maite Roche I review for Love2Learn. Her illustrations are simply wonderful: simple, colorful, kid-friendly, warm, adorable, and yet with plenty of detail! In this volume she is able to retell the life of Our Lord for children and readers will find there most of the important events of His life on this world. From the Annunciation to Pentecost, the text will lead the child to all of the highlights of Jesus' life. The main events of His life are there, and also the Sermon on the Mount, the Multiplication the Bread, and more.

Pippo the Fool

Book cover: Pippo the Fool
Author(s): 
Tracey E. Fern
Illustrator(s): 
Pau Estrada

I heard this story long ago... most certainly from my story-telling aunt, who had the power to do exactly what this phenomenal books does: to turn real life stories into a delightful tale for children!

The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau

Book cover: The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau
Author(s): 
Dan Yaccarino

Like many parents our age, I grew up with Jacques Cousteau, the Frenchman who brought the life below the water level to everyone's homes via TV and films. Here is a colorful, friendly picture book about his life and accomplishments. Curious episodes of his life and his conservation efforts are explained in simple language. Also, beautiful, direct quotes from him are found throughout the colorful book, such as:

Building on Nature

Author(s): 
Rachel Rodríguez
Illustrator(s): 
Julie Paschkis

Like most art students and lovers, I have had mixed feelings about the architecture of Gaudi all my life. When our oldes son visited Barcelona and sent pictures of Gaudi buildings, I planned on learning more about him. Now I find this new and remarkable picture book telling children about a man who was perhaps little understood during his lifetime.

Follow the Line Around the World

Author(s): 
Ljungkvist, Laura
We love geography in our house! And I love it when I find books that bring geography to little ones! This picture book invites the young child to follow an imaginary line around the world, highlighting interesting facts about different places in every continent. [This review is still under construction.]

A Continual Feast

Author(s): 
Evelyn Birge Vitz
My cooking is simple, ordinary, and I seldom follow recipes. But one recipe I have gone back to again and again is the Four-Egg Cake in A Continual Feast cookbook by Evelyn Birge Vitz. That is a wonderful sacrament cake--First Holy Communions, Confirmations, Baptisms, Weddings-- I have made it again and again, for over twelve years, and have had consistent, excellent results! The recipe is a wonderful from-scratch experience, and the kids love to help as each step progresses towards a marvelous tasting result!

The Seven Silly Eaters

Author(s): 
Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrator(s): 
Marla Freeze
The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman is neither a Catholic book, nor does it tell of a saint--it is not even around a religious theme. And yet, it is an all-time favorite in this seven-children Catholic family! The book tells about a family that grows and grows... almost every time we turn the page there is a new baby! The fact that they are silly--or fussy--eaters, which our kids have never been, matters little to us. The illustrations are absolutely captivating and darling, and the rhymes are known by all the kids, who can recite the book from cover to cover.

Questions for the Thinker, Old World Europe

Author(s): 
Fran Rutherford
Illustrator(s): 
James Rutherford
I gave this book for my son to take a look, he spent several minutes reading a selection of the questions and answers and then exclaimed what a helpful study guide it is. He has followed the Kolbe Academy syllabus so he is familiar with much of the reading. Old World Europe, Questions for the Thinker TM written by Fran Rutherford revolves around many of the well-known classics from the Middle Ages but not exclusively. The author has published two other volumes with Greek and Roman classics respectively.

Excellence in Literature: British Literature

Author(s): 
Janice Campbell
As I stated in my review of the American Lit 11th grade volume, I am very impressed with this new publication by the Institute for Excellence in Writing. This one focuses on British Literature and it is recommended for 12th grade. I am afraid my review of this volume must be rather a repeat of the 11h grade American Lit volume as so much is the same: the number of units, the format, and of course the author, Janice Campbell. So again I say this is a user-friendly, comprehensive and resourceful British Literature Course.

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