Literature
The Princess and the Goblin
The Princess and the Goblin is a classic fantasy novel written in the late 1800s by George MacDonald. The story features all of the elements of a great fairy tale: a young princess, a brave hero on the verge of adulthood, subtle magic, and more goblins than can be counted. There is enough adventure to keep the story moving, but the plot is not overwhelming or difficult to follow. There is nothing to recommend a caution for: no rough language, no adult situations, and very little violence. The violent scenes were in the context of the battles between good and evil and avoided gory descriptions. We read this novel in a beautifully illustrated edition; it is worth looking for one that has the lovely full-color plates.
But more than that, the story is written on several levels and can be enjoyed by many different age groups. After reading The Mysteries of Life in Children's Literature, I was anxious to begin reading this book aloud to my children. I had hesitated, thinking that my mainly-male audience would protest a "fairy tale". Their reaction surprised me! All of the children looked forward to the next chapter of the book, although the 9- and 12-year-olds enjoyed it the most.
The 1920 edition by David McKay Company, featuring full-color illustrations by Jessie Willcox Smith, is available online at Project Gutenberg. Unedited scans of that and other versions (e.g. c. 1911 Blackie & Son illustrated edition) are available online elsewhere.
The Princess and the Kiss
"Long ago, in a wonderful castle on a mountain of splendor, a beautiful princess was born." So begins the story of The Princess and the Kiss, a tale of a young woman's – in this case princess's – first kiss. On the day she is born, her parents present her with this special gift from God. In a secret room in a castle tower, it is kept safely hidden away under glass. When she is old enough, her parents explain the treasured value of this precious gift and warn her to not give it to just anybody. Heeding their wise advice, she is not one to be bamboozled by the many interesting suitors who vie for her hand, from Prince Peacock to Prince Romance to Prince Treasurechest. She wonders if there ever will be a young man special enough for her to give her first kiss. At last, she meets a young man who impresses her with the purity of his heart.
In this day and age of sexual amorality, the ideal of purity and saving one's first kiss for another pure heart is refreshingly beautiful, especially since both of them have saved their first kiss for each other. For my four-year-old and seven-year-old daughters, this is one of their favorite stories, quite worn out already.
originally appeared in Heart and Mind Magazine, Summer 2005 - used with permission
The Railway Children
Rebecca, Peter and Phyllis are three British children (around the turn of the century) who live in a large, beautiful house in London with their lovely and creative mother and their very attentive father. One night their lives change dramatically when their father is mysteriously called away. The children and their mother have to "play at being poor" for awhile, pack up only what seems necessary and move to a house out in the country near a railway station. The story tells of their adventures in and around the railway station and the gradually unfolding mystery regarding their father. It's a lovely family story and Mrs. Nesbit is quite a gifted and interesting author. In the midst of their adventures, we discover a lot about character and the devotion children should have for their parents. This story is a great read-aloud for the whole family, and can be read independely by mid-grade-schoolers on up.
The full book is available online, including at the Internet Archive (scans of the 1905 edition).
The Rose and Crown
This fourth and final book in the Letzenstein Chronicles tells of young Toby who was found – lost and orphaned – by the eccentric and mysterious Raphael le Marre in a previous book. Raphael ("Raf") seems appropriately named after one of the archangels as he has a way of coming to the rescue of children in trouble and has in fact adopted (along with his wife) some 20 children of his own. In this story Raf brings Toby back to his relatives in London in order to decide his future. Toby has no interest in staying with anyone but Raf. Toby's maternal grandfather is kind, but unable to support him financially, while a rich and arrogant uncle from his father's side insists on adopting him. Meanwhile, adventures befall everyone involved and Raf (who is Catholic) shares some interesting thoughts about Protestant England even while working with and being helped by a kind Anglican minister. The story is charming and a fairly easy read for early to mid grade school or as a family read-aloud. There are some elements of the story which might be troubling or confusing for young children sensitive to issues relating to adoption or having a step-parent.
The Salamander Room
The Scarlet Pimpernel (BBC/A&E Series)
After thoroughly enjoying the BBC/A&E production of Pride and Prejudice, I was thrilled to see that they also had done the Scarlet Pimpernel, which is one of my favorite stories. Unfortunately, my expectations were completely shattered by this production which is really more of a television series loosely based on the books. It seems intended for those who enjoy rather steamy romance novels. While some of the original elements of the story and the truths regarding the evils of the French Revolution remain intact (and there are a few funny and creative scenes), there is little else to recommend this production - and many reasons not to bother. I haven't read all of the Pimpernel books, but there was very little reminiscent of the main book from which it takes its name (none of the principal characters even wore disguises!) and there is a lot of raunchy material that I found extremely difficult to tolerate (and I'm a relatively tolerant person when it comes to annoying parts in movies). The writers seem intent on creating heinous female villains and turning Marguerite St. Just into a more politically correct character. Chauvelin, to whom they attempt to give some "sex appeal", makes me nauseous. I found the scenes in Paris indicative of the disintegrating culture absolutely revolting, and these were not even treated as revolting by the production. Instead, for example, Sir Percy Blakeney makes a flippant joke about losing one's virginity when one of his companions is sensually undressed by a group of women at a party. Please, please, please, don't waste your money on this one like I did!
approx. 300 min., Color
The Secret of Pooduck Island
This is a story with many layers waiting to be discovered. On the surface, it's about a lonely boy who likes to spend time with his squirrel friends. The townspeople think him strange, but he is better understood by the priest. The squirrels and the boy have interesting adventures and the tale is engaging in itself. It's not hard to see, however, that there's more to the story than this – but what exactly is "the Secret"? An Indian with a beautiful old rosary and a very sad tale adds to the mystery. The reader begins to uncover the first layer of the story and sees some real insights into life – how we view the world and others in it and how our judgment can be clouded by our faults. And still there's more. Fortunately Alfred Noyes gives us a series of study questions which enable us to really study the story and begin to uncover the mysterious secret. The questions aren't easy and will probably be answered most effectively as a family. To be sure, there's a lot to be gained by parents in studying it alongside their children. Besides uncovering the important messages woven into this unique story, studying the story is a good exercise in reading literature in a meaningful way.
Recommended in Catholic Authors: 4-Sight Edition
Donated for review by Neumann Press
The Seven Silly Eaters
The Squire and the Scroll
With colorful, dramatic illustrations and a story to inspire children, The Squire and the Scroll is sure to be a favorite. Written as a parable set in an imaginary kingodm, a wicked dragon has stolen the Lantern of Purest Light. This is not just any ordinary light, but a "Lantern that gave freedom to all the kingdom." Who will be brave enough to bring back this precious Lantern? Although many young men try, none return, until one day a poor squire who had been taught by his parents "how to guard his pure heart by the words from a simple scroll" accompanies another daring knight.
As in the journey of Ulysses, they encounter several trials along their quest, in their case, testing the purity of their senses. Will they survive the tests or succumb to the same fate as all the other knights? In the story, children will be challenged on many levels. Will they follow the example of the squire or the knight? Will they obey their parents and listen to the wisdom of God's word or will they succumb to the enticements of the world? Will they guard their purity or squander it? Will they receive as the squire hopes "the promise of a reward from God in return for faithfully guarding his heart?"
originally appeared in Heart and Mind Magazine, Summer 2005 - used with permission








