By Lisa DeGroot
Editor's Note: In preparation for and celebration of All Saints' Day on November 1, we offer this list of recommended resources for children of all ages.
Toddlers/Pre-Readers
Cloud of Witnesses: A Child's First Book of Saints
Written by: Katie Warner
Illustrated by: Meg Whalen
A perfect introduction to the saints for very young children, each page contains a prayer or quote from a well-known saint. With bright and colorful illustrations, children will enjoy this sweet book.
My First Book of Saints
Written by: Kathleen Muldoon and Susan Wallace
Illustrated by: Tom Kinarney and Patricia Mattozzi
In this easy-to-read book, sixty-two saints are compiled for young children to learn about. Each saint has an illustration, biography, and short prayer or illustration of their holiness.
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland
Written and Illustrated by: Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola's signature illustrations and easy to understand story-telling will captivate young readers.
[Editor’s Note: Andrea Perkins previously reviewed dePaola’s Mary, the Mother of Jesus here.]
Early Readers
Loyola Kids Book of Saints
Written by: Amy Welborn
Illustrated by: Ansgar Holmberg, C.S.J.
Perfect for children wanting to learn more, this book categorizes saints by specific character attributes. Each entry gives a basic overview of the life of the saint, including at least one specific story during their life.
Saint George and the Dragon
Written by: Margaret Hodges
Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Written in elegant prose with beautiful illustrations, this is well worth a read (or 10) to engage young children with the story of a well-known saint.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Written by: Joyce Denham
Illustrated by Elena Temporin
With beautiful and engaging illustrations, this book takes readers on a journey of the entirety of Francis's life from his christening to his death.
Intermediate
Stories of the Saints
by Carey Wallace
Illustrated by Nick Thornborrow
Stunning illustrations set this book apart as a beautiful contribution to any family's library. Historical information for each Saint is given at the beginning of each story and the stories themselves are well written and give children a glimpse into the lives of the Saints and why we revere them. (Some illustrations may be distressing for very young children.)
[Editor’s Note: Elizabeth Frazer previously reviewed Stories of the Saints here.]
57 Stories of Saints
Written by: Anne Eileen Heffernan
Illustrated by: Jerry Rizzo
Told in a story book fashion, rather than strictly historical information, 57 Stories of Saints helps readers to gain better insight into the Saints as people, rather than just names on a page.
Once Upon a Time Saints
Written by: Ethel Pochocki
Illustrated by: Tom Matt
More Once Upon a Time Saints
Written by: Ethel Pochocki
Illustrated by: Kathy Holbrook
Once Upon a Time Saints: Around the Year
Written by: Ethel Pochocki
Illustrated by: Ben Hatke
Told in a fairy-tale style, the Once Upon a Time Saints books do not shy away from some of the more supernatural details involved in the stories of saints, including brothers who slept in a cave for 362 years, a real life giant, and angels who appear with a message.
The Loyola Treasury of Saints
Written by: David Self
Illustrated by: Amanda Hall
This extensive book features saints from the Gospels, the Early Church, the Western Church, the Church Triumphant and many more. With sacred art, hand-drawn illustrations, and photographs, there is much to delight in and study.
The Saints Chronicles Collection (1-5)
Written and Illustrated by: Sophia Institute Press
In classic graphic novel style, The Saints Chronicles’ dramatic storytelling engage readers from the first page.
Advanced
Saints: Lives and Illuminations
Written and Illustrated by: Ruth Sanderson
Giving short, historical accounts, this book gives readers a good overview of many of the Saints and includes a list of their Patronage and Feast Day.
The Fathers of the Eastern Church
Written by: Robert Payne
The Fathers of the Western Church
Written by: Robert Payne
These two volumes introduce readers to well-known and not-so-well known fathers of the church. Stories include St. Athanasius, St. Basil, and St. John Chrysostom from the Eastern Church and St. Jerome, St. Benedict, and St. Augustine from the Western Church. The short biographies range in length and will challenge the advanced reader to better understand some of the important figures in early church history.
Lisa DeGroot is a homeschooling mother of five who loves researching and discovering great kids books. She is a parishioner at St. Alban's Anglican in Oviedo, Florida.
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