A Catholic Garden of Puzzles Author(s): Sandra Garant This book includes nearly 100 word puzzles (for ages seven to adult - varying levels of difficulty) based on Catholic beliefs, prayers, litanies, precepts of the Church, famous Catholics of the past and present (nice to have some current material sometimes!), the Popes, etc. The book is organized by topic (not difficulty level) and includes five main sections - God, Scripture, the Blessed Virgin, the Saints and Virtues, and Catholic Life and Traditions. Types of puzzles include: Connect the words, Restoration, Vowelless, Purgation, Cryptogram, Which Way? Read more about A Catholic Garden of Puzzles
A Medieval Feast Author(s): Aliki This is a children's story book about a fictional, but historically accurate, medieval feast (appropriate to about 1400 A.D.). The story starts from the very beginning, when the lord and lady of a manor receive notice that the King would be visiting for a few days. We see what immense preparations would start long before his arrival and the concern on the part of those hosting the feast because the king wouldn't be travelling alone – the queen, knights, squires and members of the court would make the feast a large and somewhat worrisome preparation. Read more about A Medieval Feast
The Young Life of Pope John Paul II Author(s): Claire Jordan Mohan This short chapter book on the life of Pope John Paul II focuses on his childhood and upbringing in Poland. He had a difficult childhood, losing his mother when he was only a boy and his only brother and his father when he was only a young man. We see him draw closer to God during these troubles and eventually discover his vocation to the priesthood during the terrible days of World War II. The story also decribes some of the happier and even humorous moments of his childhood and children will see that in many ways he was an "ordinary" boy destined for unordinary things. Mrs. Read more about The Young Life of Pope John Paul II
The Young Life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Author(s): Claire Jordan Mohan This is an interesting and unique short chapter book telling the story of Mother Teresa of Calcutta – a great lady who changed the world by following God's will and being a true messenger of peace and love. Similar to Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa's childhood was filled with both joy and tragedy. Her early inclinations to be a missionary led her to teach at a wealthy girls school in India. One day she realized that she was called, not to teach the wealthy children, but go out and help and teach the poor, sick and homeless out on the streets of Calcutta. Read more about The Young Life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Our Holy Faith Series The series: The complete Our Holy Faith series includes 8 books and 8 teachers' manuals, intended for use in 1st grade through 8th grade. Read more about Our Holy Faith Series
For the Beauty of the Earth Author(s): James LeekKenneth KlassenDiane DickersonAnne Patrick Like many Catholic Home schooling families, providing a Catholic education was number one on the list of reasons my husband and I wanted to home school. In addition, we wanted a rigorous education, and one that emphasized the beauties of truth and love. Translating these goals into a curriculum is an on-going challenge. Sometimes the books that do a good job presenting a particular subject do it without the light of the Faith. Other times, books that are "solidly Catholic" are also unattractive and uninspiring. We have had to compromise in a lot of areas. Read more about For the Beauty of the Earth
Founders of Freedom Author(s): Sr. M. Benedict Joseph, SNJM This first volume in the Catholic American history program, Land of Our Lady, is intended for the fourth grade. It overviews history from Creation to just before Columbus' voyage in 1492. The focus is mostly on Western History – Europe and the Middle East – but Ancient China is also touched upon. Emphasis is placed on the origins of democracy and people in history who were instrumental in its development in various forms (as a preparation for the study of American History – this year's text develops the "background"). Read more about Founders of Freedom
Jesus of Nazareth Author(s): Mother Mary Loyola "We did not see what the people of His own land saw every day, but we have the story of His life written by those who knew Him intimately, and it ought to be familiar to us all... It is of more importance to us by far than anything else we have to learn. It was written, not for mankind in general, but for each of us, one by one, that we might study it and copy its lessons into our own lives." (p. 22) Read more about Jesus of Nazareth
Falcons Nest on Skyscrapers Author(s): Priscilla Belz JenkinsIllustrator(s): Megan Lloyd This is a very interesting book (with excellent illustrations) that introduces young children to various falcons living in the United States, some of their remarkable abilities and the story of how some scientists were successful in re-introducing the peregrine falcon in the Eastern United States after they nearly became extinct because of an insect spray called DDT which was overused earlier in the twentieth century. Read more about Falcons Nest on Skyscrapers
What Makes a Magnet? Author(s): Franklyn M. BranleyIllustrator(s): True Kelley What Makes a Magnet? constitutes a fairly substantial introduction to magnets for children approximately ages 5 to 9. They are invited to do a little discovery for themselves by doing some "fishing" with a magnet in a box of miscellaneous objects and see what things the magnet will pick up. The book goes on to explain that magnets pick up, not everything made of metal, but objects which contain iron in particular. Read more about What Makes a Magnet?
