The Little Apostle on Crutches by H. E. Delamare is the story of young Willie– almost nine–whose cheerful goodness touches the lives of everyone he meets.

Through his many adventures, he always strives to do what is right, making him an excellent role model for younger children. For example, he faces persecution from another boy who covets his newspaper corner. Yet, he treats the other boy with continual kindness.

Willie is unique in that he is not afraid to share his faith. When asked about the family's financial difficulties, he replies..."'We're Catholics and that helps one so much, doesn't it? It keeps one contented and happy–and teaches one to bear one's troubles.'"

Because the book was originally published in 1911, there is a quaint old-fashioned flavor to some of the language. However, this never interferes with the meaning of the story. For example, as a complement, another boy says of Willie, "'You're a bully little chap, anyhow!'"

A short 86 pages long, The Little Apostle on Crutches is republished by Catholic Heritage Curricula. Although the story would be a great a read aloud for any age, the reading level is 3-6 grade. This paperback has no illustrations, but you do not miss them.

Update from webmaster, March 2024: It appears that CHC is no longer printing this book. However, you can click here for the Internet Library copy of The Little Apostle on Crutches or find it from a variety of sources who reprint public domain works.

This little booklet is a colorfully illustrated and simply written explanation of what happens during the Mass and why. It is broken up into seven main sections: "The Mass Begins!", "The Introductory Rite", "The Penitential Rite", "The Liturgy of the Word", "The Profession of Faith", "The Liturgy of the Eucharist", and "The Concluding Rite". Rather than a missal for children, this is intended to be used outside of Church in preparation to understand the Mass better. (It would be particularly effective when used with the Miniature Mass Kit. Each page of text is highlighted with an appropriate quote from the Bible.

Here is a little sample:

Everyone, get on your knees!

The consecration is about to happen!

This is the most solemn part of the Mass, so we pay close attention.

Father prays over the bread and wine and asks all the angels and saints to join us in our prayer to God.

Father asks the Holy Spirit to come and change this bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus!

Watch carefully. Father takes the bread in his hands and, lifting it up to God, he uses Jesus' own words:

Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you."

Father holds the bread become Jesus up very high, showing it to all of us.

At that moment, all the angels in heaven are rejoicing! We bow our heads and offer a prayer to our great God.

(pg. 30, emphasis in original)

This is a very child-friendly, orthodox introduction to the Holy Mass for young children - especially preschool through second grade.

The Medicine of God is an audio drama (on one cassette) in the style of old-time radio shows - with full cast, music and sound effects. This is the biblical story of Tobit, an upright man who trusted in God and the adventures of his son, Tobias, who was led by a stranger - who turned out to be St. Raphael the Archangel - to a new city and a new life. There is a theme of Divine Providence and the need to trust in God that runs throughout the story. This story is a particularly important one to Catholics as it is one of only a few books that are included in Catholic bibles, but not Protestant ones. Your whole family will be edified and entertained by this production. This particular story is a favorite with my children.

It was the day before Christmas in a modern-day Russian village which has lived through the closing of their church, St. Nicholas. When the church was first closed, everything inside the church mysteriously disappeared and the priest was gone. Now, even though the soldiers were gone, there seemed to be no way to celebrate Mass on Christmas day. Young Alexi questions his babushka about this, but all seems hopeless. Still, she explains that "A miracle happens when God enters into your dream. But first you must have the dream."...

The text is fully illustrated using the traditional icon technique and style. It makes for a charming, but slightly haunting look... a subtle reminder of past sorrows in the face of a hopeful future. The book is a delightful Christmas story for the whole family; full of faith, hope and the beauty of tradition.