Elementary

The Children's Book of Heroes

Book cover: The Children's Book of Heroes
Author(s): 
William Bennett
Illustrator(s): 
Michael Hague

I like this volume even better than The Children's Book of Virtues. (We checked it out from the library three different times before I finally bought it!) Heroes includes stories of Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Helen Keller, David and Goliath, Father Flanagan and Jackie Robinson. The book is filled with illustrations and stories are generally three to five pages, with a few poems included as well. The biographies are our family's favorites, but there are many other stories including myths and fairy tales which teach some of the same values.

The Prince of Egypt

Book cover: 'The Prince of Egypt'
Three Other Reasons to See Prince of Egypt: racially truthful, stealthily pro-life, realistic portrayal of sin
I admit, our family went to see The Prince of Egypt because of William Donahoe's recommendation. The Catholic League plugged the newly-released animated picture on the story of Moses in its newsletter as well as in an Internet message. So we joined my family at Christmas in a rare trip to the theater, along with my dad (who was going to see it because Chuck Colson had recommended it).

Farmer Boy

Book cover: Farmer Boy
Author(s): 
Laura Ingalls Wilder

This mouthwatering book isn't about Laura. It is about her future husband, Almanzo Wilder, and told through his eyes. He works (hard) on his father's sucessful farm in upstate New York. As would be expected from the perspective of a hardworking young boy the book lingers on FOOD. They ate pretty well too! They have fresh fruits and vegatables, they make their own butter (some of which they sell for – about a buck a pound! – imagine that). The pies, the meat etc. etc. etc. Each is described just well enough that you want to make some for yourself.

Columbus

Book cover: 'Columbus'
Author(s): 
Ingri & Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

This is another great biography by the D'Aulaires. Well told and beautifully illustrated, this book will introduce you to Columbus' boyhood dreams, some of the reasons why he (and others) believed the earth was round, his early sailing days and interest in the tales of Leif Ericson, and of course the story of his family, his long quest for sponsorship of his desired trip and finally his voyages to America. Most adults don't know as much about Columbus as your children can learn from this story.

First Eucharist Story-Coloring Book

Book cover: 'First Eucharist Story-Coloring Book'

This book presents a beautiful way to introduce children to the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. The text is adapted from The Child in the Church by Maria Montessori. The story on each page presents fodder for discussion as the child colors in the beautiful borders which are rich in Catholic symbolism. My daughter loves to have me color with her - so we've colored in the pictures together as we discuss the content. Also included are information on how to use the book, explanations of symbols, and questions to help in discussing each page.

The Lady of Guadalupe

Book cover: The Lady of Guadalupe
Author(s): 
Tomie dePaola

This has been one of my family's very favorite picture books since our oldest was a toddler. It is a beautiful re-telling of a beautiful story with illustrations that complement it nicely and which are very appealing to children. I especially like Tomie de Paola's attention to detail. It's informative enough to be interesting even for adults.

Once Upon a Time Saints

Book cover: Once Upon a Time Saints
Author(s): 
Ethel Pochocki
Illustrator(s): 
Tom Matt

In the Bethlehem Books catalog, this book is recommended for ages 5 – 10, but I think many of the stories will be appealing even for preschoolers. The stories have been carefully chosen to be interesting to children at the "fairy tale age". Many of the saints chosen are knights and princesses with adventures and lessons to share with your children. Some parents may not like the informality of her story-telling style, but I think most will appreciate using this book to foster an interest in the Saints at a very young age.

The Reb and the Redcoats

Book cover: The Reb and the Redcoats
Author(s): 
Constance Savery

The Reb and the Redcoats is an adventurous historical fiction story about a British family during the American Revolution who "play host" to an American prisoner of war. 15 year old Randal is a well-educated Virginian who was sent on a military mission as a French interpreter. When he and his comrades are captured, he gives his captors no end of trouble with his escape attempts and is finally confined to an old penance cell at the estate of Laurence Templeton (which had once been a monastery). Things get interesting when Captain Templeton's elder sister, Mrs.

New Catholic Picture Bible

Book cover: 'New Catholic Picture Bible'
Author(s): 
Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, S.V.D.

Father Lovasik includes many more stories in this work than Tomie de Paola's work. The pictures are more traditional (although not fine art), yet the stories are still short enough to make this a good choice for preschoolers as well. He explains parts of the Bible in light of our Catholic tradition within the story. For example, in the story "Jesus Appears to the Apostles" Fr. Lovasik explains what Jesus said to the apostles with the following quote:

Who Eats What? Food Chains and Food Webs

Book cover: Who Eats What? Food Chains and Food Webs
Author(s): 
Patricia Lauber
Illustrator(s): 
Holly Keller

This book explores the notion of various plants and animals that are linked together based on "who eats what." Children will learn about some simple food chains such as – leaf, caterpillar, wren and hawk. They also see how one plant or animal can belong to several food chains and that members or these related food chains (food webs) have a certain amount of dependence on each other. The text goes on to explain, through an example of a problem with over-hunted otters around the turn of the century, that when part of a food chain is disturbed, the other members will also be affected.

Pages