The plan was to write this book review after Easter, but I just couldn't resist. As soon as it arrived in my mailbox, I eagerly revealed the "quiet time surprise" to my four year old and we found a warm, sunny spot on the couch and read the story together.
It's a challenge to find good, solid, children's books that are rich with the traditions of our faith. Unfortunately, a large majority of material out there is watered down, the content simplified or vague, and the artwork is terrible. How can we expect our kids to get excited about the Communion of Saints and the Mysteries of our faith if all they see is hippie Jesus walking with the butterflies?
The good news is that, in the past eights years, there's been a revival of catholic picture books. These books portray the Church in all it's beauty and wonder.
This book, John Mary Vianney: The Holy Curé of Ars is from the series "The Life of a Saint" published by Ignatius Press. We have another book from the series called: Bernadette: The Little Girl from Lourdes, and we love it! Watercolor artist, Adeline Avril has a whimsical style yet she preserves a distinctively catholic environment in her backdrops and attention to detail throughout the book.
Notice the detail in the illustrations. There's a strong sense of catholic identity on each page. I love it! The adorned altars, baroque architecture, precious metal crucifixes, and the beautiful vestments worn by St. John Vianney call to mind the beauty and majesty found in our faith and traditions.
Here are a few other picture books we enjoy reading (with marvelous illustrations, as well!)
It's a challenge to find good, solid, children's books that are rich with the traditions of our faith. Unfortunately, a large majority of material out there is watered down, the content simplified or vague, and the artwork is terrible. How can we expect our kids to get excited about the Communion of Saints and the Mysteries of our faith if all they see is hippie Jesus walking with the butterflies?
The good news is that, in the past eights years, there's been a revival of catholic picture books. These books portray the Church in all it's beauty and wonder.
This book, John Mary Vianney: The Holy Curé of Ars is from the series "The Life of a Saint" published by Ignatius Press. We have another book from the series called: Bernadette: The Little Girl from Lourdes, and we love it! Watercolor artist, Adeline Avril has a whimsical style yet she preserves a distinctively catholic environment in her backdrops and attention to detail throughout the book.
A tree branch cracked. The little troop stopped and listened to the noises of the night. After a few moments, Mathieu and Marie Vianney set off again in silence, with their six children following behind.
The story of St. John Vianney begins with his childhood. He and his family traveled in secret to attend Mass during the French Revolution. During that time, it was dangerous to practice your faith publicly. Churches were closed, priests were hunted down and it was forbidden to pray the Mass.
As he grew older, the desire to become a priest stirred in his heart. After many years of studying Latin and difficult exams, he was accepted for the priesthood.
John Vianney was sent to a small parish in France. The people of the town were unkind and sinful, but because Fr. Vianney's love for Jesus was strong and ferverant, many souls were transformed and brought back into the Church. He spent hours in the confessional without food or drink. People were lining up along the street to have their confessions heard by their beloved priest.
The curé's day began very early. Sometimes he would be in the confessional as early as one o'clock in the morning! For six or seven hours, he would sit and listen, advise, comfort, and offer God's forgiveness. Next, he would celebrate the Mass with all his heart; then he would return to the confessional or to catechism.
Notice the detail in the illustrations. There's a strong sense of catholic identity on each page. I love it! The adorned altars, baroque architecture, precious metal crucifixes, and the beautiful vestments worn by St. John Vianney call to mind the beauty and majesty found in our faith and traditions.
Here are a few other picture books we enjoy reading (with marvelous illustrations, as well!)
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