Catholic Stories

Bigger Stories for Little Folks

Author(s): 
Nancy Nicholson
This summer I had the supreme pleasure of reading Nancy Nicholson’s Bigger Stories for Little Folks to my two youngest girls, ages 5 & 7. After flipping through the first, more well-known volume of Devotional Stories for Little Folks, I was hesitant, thinking that perhaps the stories would seem a bit involved and preachy to my two precocious gals. I am happy to say that my fears were unfounded. Each evening, after Beth and Mae were cozy in their pajamas and had brushed their teeth, they would bounce into my bed and Beth would hand over the book.

Take it to the Queen

Author(s): 
Josephine Nobisso
Illustrator(s): 
Katalin Szegedi
The long awaited companion to The Weight of a Mass (Nobisso, Gingerbread House Books) is finally available. In her new story Take it to the Queen, a Tale of Hope, Josephine Nobisso tells a fable that draws upon the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her material and mystical participation in our salvation. The villagers of a once favored city rebel against the goodness of the King, bringing famine and desolation. Eventually they seek the intervention of their queen, who was once of their village.

The Weight of a Mass

Book cover: The Weight of a Mass
Author(s): 
Josephine Nobisso
Illustrator(s): 
Katalin Szegedi

The best and most memorable lessons are taught through stories, and this gorgeous picture book will teach an unforgettable one. The Weight of a Mass is written in a fairy-tale style and enhanced by rich watercolor illustrations. It will appeal equally well to both boys and girls through countless re-readings.

Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show For Kids Vol. 3

Book cover: 'Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show For Kids Vol. 3'

Vol. 3: Amazing Angels and Super Saints It's time to have a party! A saints and angels party. In this volume, the family - Papa, Josh, and Hannah - hosts an All Saints' Party for the kids and their friends. The format is the same as the other two volumes. Moses, the family cat, introduces the audio show with commentary in the middle and at the end, the family has discussions about the faith to lead the children to a greater understanding of the Catholic truths of the faith, the dialogue is interspersed with lively, contemporary songs, and the evening's entertainment closes with a prayer.

Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show for Kids Vol. 1

Book cover: 'Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show for Kids Vol. 1'
Author(s): 
Gerald & Denise Montpetit

"Cat. Chat." "Cat. Chat." That is all my children have been singing for the last two days, since they received the two Cat. Chat CDs (short for Catholic chats about God). These CD's combine "faith-filled" stories, lively (contemporary Catholic/Christian) songs and heartfelt prayer, all within the context of family life. These kid-appealing CD's also include the family cat, Moses, who introduces the family, makes comments, and closes each session.

Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show For Kids Vol. 2

Book cover: 'Cat. Chat: The Catholic Audio Show For Kids Vol. 2'
Author(s): 
Gerald & Denise Montpetit

In volume two, the characters include the dad, his two children, and their cousins, Sarah and Jesse. The setting is a camping trip by a lake. As the family with their cousins gathers around the evening campfire, the dad relates stories of what it means to have Jesus in your heart, and how to imitate Jesus even in difficult moments. My only suggestion is that we discuss with our children that as parents we have already invited Jesus into their "hearts" (souls) when they were baptized as infants.

Devotional Stories for Little Folks

Book cover: 'Devotional Stories for Little Folks'
Author(s): 
Nancy Nicholson

Nancy Nicholson (author of numerous titles from Catholic Heritage Curricula including the My Catholic Speller and Language of God for Little Folks series) hits another homerun with this new title. Thirty-six stories centering around family life offer humor, entertainment and gentle lessons in morality. The stories are perfect for reading aloud during breakfast or lunch. Each story includes related quotes from the Bible or the Catechism of the Catholic Church, vocabulary words and questions for discussion.

Catholic Children's Treasure Box

Book cover: Catholic Children's Treasure Box #1
Author(s): 
Maryknoll Sisters
Fr. Richard Ginder (Editor)
Illustrator(s): 
Miki

This set of colorful books for ages 3-8 are reprints of a Catholic magazine from the 1950s. They are filled with stories, games, picture puzzles, poems, crafts, etc. The pictures are beautiful and I like the very simple moral lessons many of the stories teach. (For example, when my daughter was three, she was very impressed by a story called "Peter the Picky Eater".

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