Book Recommendations: Marriage

At our last beach day, I mentioned to Peggy Sue and Abby that Fr. Saguto, FSSP had recommended two books for engaged and married couples.  I thought that others might appreciate knowing about these books, too.

They are:

Covenanted Happiness by Cormac Burke

Three to Get Married by Fulton Sheen

I purchased Burke's book from Vercillos and was told that they could order Fulton Sheen's book.

Christmas Books

The Birds' Christmas Carol, by Kate Douglas Wiggin Born on Christmas Day, Carol is the Bird family's special Christmas baby.  As she approaches her tenth birthday, her health grows worse.  However, Carol has only one wish, to plan an unforgettable Christmas for the poor Ruggles children who live next door.


 

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomeyby Susan Wojciechowski

I have yet to read The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey without crying.  It is a touching story about a sad carver whose life changes thanks to a widow, her seven-year-old son and the crèche they ask Mr. Toomey to carve for them.  The illustrations are beautiful and truly capture the expressions of the characters. (Christine B. 11/05)

The Christmas Story Book, Neumann Press

My children enjoy all the stories in this book. (Barbara S. 12/02)

The Donkey's Dreamby Barbara Helen Berger, Philomel Books (also available as a Puffin Book).
Vibrant, detailed pictures add to the beauty of this story about Christ’s birth. (Mary L. 12/01)

The Fussy Angelby Mary Arnold, Bethlehem Books, Lamb Time Book, 1995

Christ's guardian angel, "the smallest angel in Heaven", tries to make everything perfect for Him on the night of His birth. The angel tries to remove the "smelly beasts", he reprimands the shepherds, he questions the wise men's gifts, he tries to shut out all the light, etc. The angel cannot understand why God would send Jesus into such a mess. Finally, the smallest angel realizes that everything is perfect because it is human. It is the "divine mess" God wants.

My children start enjoying this book around age two. (Christine B. 12/7/05)

The Lady of Guadalupe, by Tomie dePaola, Holiday House.
This  book tells the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe in easy to understand language. (Rebecca C.)






 The Little Drummer BoyIllustrated by Kristina Rodanas, Clarion Books.
Kristina Rodanas brings this song to life with her beautiful illustrations.  My almost two-year-old asks Mommy and Daddy read (we actually sing) this book over and over again.  He also enjoys sitting and looking at the beautiful illustrations. (Christine B.)

Merry Christmas, Strega Nona
by Tomie de Paola, Harcourt Brace Jovanavich, 1986
The story takes place in Italy around Christmastime.  It is near Christmas and Strega Nona is getting ready for Christmas without using magic.  When things started to go wrong, Big Anthony made up for what he did.  Big Anthony decides to help Strega Nona by planning a surprise Christmas party for her with the help of the whole town. (Bernadette, age 6)

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas (Golden Key Books) by Gloria Whelan, Bethlehem Books

A young Russian boy tries to make his dream of having the village church reopened become a reality. (Christine B. 12/02)

An Orange for Frankie, by Patricia Polacco, Philomel Books, 2004

Last night, we read An Orange for Frankie. Patricia Polacco travels back in time to the Christmas when her grandmother's youngest brother, Frankie, was ten years old. It is the eve prior to Christmas Eve and the Stowell family is anxiously waiting for their Pa to return home with the nine Christmas oranges (one for each of the children). Despite their worries about Pa not being home, the Stowells prepare for Christmas as only a warm and loving family can. By the time I finished the book, tears were rolling down my face and Frankie, my children and I had learned a valuable lesson. (Christine B. 11/30/05)

The Story of Holly & Ivy, by Rumer Godden, Viking, 2006
An orphan, a doll, and a police officer's wife experience a little "Christmas magic" which changes their lives forever.

Take Joy! The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book, by Tasha Tudor, Philomel
This out of print book contains a wonderful selection of traditional Christmas stories, poems, carols, lore and legends, and the author’s Christmas traditions. Some of the included stories are: The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen, The Caravan by Ruth Sawyer, and The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. Tasha Tudor’s illustrations add to the beauty of this book. (Christine B. 12/03)

The Trees Kneel at Christmas, by Maud Hart Lovelace, Abdo & Daughters Publishing, 1994

The Trees Kneel at Christmas is a poignant chapter book about a Catholic Lebanese family, living in Brooklyn. On the eve prior to Christmas Eve, Grandmother tells two of her grandchildren how the trees in Lebanon kneel at Christmas. Her story inspires her grandchildren to see if the trees kneel at midnight on Christmas Eve in Brooklyn, too. The children secretly set out to see three trees in Prospect Park. The tale the children tell, upon their return home, affects all of their family members.

My children, ages 5 and up, enjoyed listening to this book. My 6 and 8 year olds are now reading it on their own. (Christine B. 11/29/05)

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story by Gloria Houston, illustrated by Barbara Cooney, Dial Books.

Papa has gone away to war, leaving Ruthie and her Mama to get the perfect Christmas tree to their Appalachian town church. (Christine B. 12/01)

Saint Books

Along the Paths of the Gospel Saints Series, Daughters of St. Paul. This series includes the following titles: Saint Angela Merici: Leading people to God, Saint Anthony of Padua: Proclaimer of the Good News, Saint Catherine Labouré: Mary’s Messenger, Saint Colette: In the Footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, Saint Francis of Assisi: God’s Gentle Knight, Saint John Bosco: The friend of children and young people, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux And the “little way” of love, and Saint Vincent de Paul: Servant of Charity. The hardcover books contain colorful pictures on each page. They make ideal reading for children ages 6 and up and may be enjoyed as read-alouds by children ages 4 and up.  Saint Colette: In the Footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare ranks among one of my children's favorite stories.

Book of Saints, Books 1 - 12, by Fr. Lovasik, Catholic Book Publishing Company. Each book contains a one page story and one page colored picture of a saint. The books end with a little prayer. The stories are arranged in chronological order. All of my children like these books. My four year old spends a lot of time looking at the pictures. Fr. Lovasik and Fr. Jude Winkler have also written other books that belong to this same series. Titles includeBlessed Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Patrick, Mary my Mother, etc.

Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story, by Bryce Milligan, Eerdmans Books

The Holy Twins: Benedict and Scholastica, by Kathleen Norris, Putnam Juvenile

Picture Book of Saints, Fr. Lovasik, Catholic Book Publishing. This book contains a variety of saints' stories. Each story is approximately half a page and is accompanied by a beautiful colored picture of the saint. As always, Fr. Lovasik did a wonderful job. My children enjoy this book. The stories of the saints are not arranged in chronological order, nor do they cover the whole year.

Saint Patrick, by Ann Tompert, Boyds Mills Press 1998

Saint Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland, by Tomie de Paola

Saints for Young Readers for Every Day Volumes 1 and 2, Susan Hellen Wallace, FSP, Daughters of St. Paul. I read from one of these books everyday. The books have a story (1 to 2 pages) of a saint or blessed for each day of the year in chronological order (Volume 1 covers January to June, Volume 2 covers July to December). My six year old enjoys telling Daddy about the saint during dinner. My four year old will sometimes listen to the story. Each story ends with a little synopsis of how we can learn from or ask assistance of that day's saint. For instance, "Instead of quitting when things get hard, we can ask St. Emily de Vialar to make us strong and patient as she was." The books contain a few black and white drawings (not many). My one hesitation about recommending these books to others is the story of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions (Volume 1, p. 275). There is nothing wrong with this story in relation to Church teaching; however, the subject matter was inappropriate for young children. I intend to use these books for many years. I highly recommend them for their ease of use. I used to look at the calendar and then at our various saints books to read the saint of the day to the children. Now I just pick up one book and open to my bookmark (holy card). (Christine B. 9/03)