BOOKS! 
--FAVORITES LISTED HERE --
For Adults
    For Kids
             For Gifts!
To help you not waste time
on picking "eh" books...
Here're our
tried & true suggestions
and why they're favorites...
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Reading to your child
is a highly effective tool
to teach them
to read, and to bring their thoughts, conversations, and play,
to God,
to new concepts,
and to creative imagination.
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Happy Reading!!

 

 

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BEATITALES: 80 Fables about the Beatitudes for Children by Jared Dees

Jesus taught with parables…now we can too. This book teaches the eight Beatitudes with ten 1-2 page modern quick-story choices to pick from.  I love that I can use  these micro-stories  to tweak a particular Virtue or Beatitude lesson: Ex. To learn that things don’t have to be perfect, just full of joy and love, read “The Dainty Dog," ...To see the irony of showing off, and to explain Blessed are the Poor In Spirit for Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven, read the fable the“The Sick Son...” 

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Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

Bet you didn't expect to find a secular book in this list!  There're a huge amount of food references in the Bible!  Throughout the history in the new and old testaments, God "sets the stage" for Himself being the Eucharistic Bread and Wine.  In this book, it rains food and drink each day--'the town counts on it --until something goes awry!  I use the images from this fiction book to help children imagine the historical Israelites in the desert.  They are shocked to hear that like in this imaginary story, God actually fed the Israelites daily, from the sky for 40 years.  40 years of only Manna and quail.  The food "rain" in this book goes haywire and the town must seek a place with "real" food.  In real life, we didn't have to seek our daily bread - Jesus came to us.  Jesus is now real food for God's people...  As a side note, I also love to remind older kids that there is no story written, even today, that does not have its roots in the bible: plot, story line, something...

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The Fruit Tree by Mark Restaino

There are so many reasons to read and reference this book. It’s a quick-tale of forgiveness, love, fresh starts, becoming humble, ...whenever you need to compare a life moment to “growing.”  There’s a bible verse on each page to reference the symbolism of the page. GREAT book.

 

The Hidden Treasure of Glaston by Eleanore M. Jewett

An adventure story of two twelve year old boys living in medieval times - fiction, but based on history - bringing alive the era when monks painstakingly copied the Bible, Catholics had to hide and fight to be able to say Mass, and people strongly understood saints and miracles…  I LOVE this book. It is great read aloud to children so you can interpret the vocabulary and historical references that may otherwise float over the kids’ heads.

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I’m a Saint in the Making by Lisa M. Hendey

20 conversational but comprehensive pages of discussions (lessons) - on how and why the reader is a saint in the making. Cute modern illustrations. This book is either for chapter-book level readers, or an adult to read all or part of it to any child. The last two pages are suggestions to grown-ups on how to “use” the book. The draw for me is that takes several days to read this book--(it’s too much in one big dose) - each component is driven home so well.  Children get to slowly meander through the pages, point for point, contemplating and internalizing their own sainthood.   Use this book for homeschooling, catechizing, or for a weeks worth of bedtime discussions...

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The Miracle of the Bread, the Fish, and the Boy by Anthony DeStefano

I LOVE this book. Most know the history of Jesus’ miracle of the loaves and the fishes… This storybook imagines that the boy who offered his food to Jesus, was really on his way back from buying that food as his mom’s birthday present. The boy offers his all to Jesus, and all reap the benefit of his sacrifice--most endearingly, his mom! The lessons learned in this book stir up many discussions.

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New Catholic Picture Bible by Lovasik

​I can't say enough about how great this book is to have in the house.  We've used it for homeschooling at every level--littles learn from the full page pictures, readers read the one page per picture child-level description of one bible story at a time--older kids utilize this for their first essays, and any age continues learning details of bible stories as they read to the youngers...  I have used it for every grade of Religious Ed I've taught, and I have purchased a copy as a gift for many many a child.  In fact I keep several on hand for the next gift...

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Our Lady’s Wardrobe by Anthony DeStefano

I never would have thought to bring attention to Our Lady’s clothes! But Our Lady has had on a different outfit each time she has appeared to someone on earth...  Leave it up to DeStefano (a great Catholic kids-author) to teach from a kid-accessible angle...  This book can be read in one sitting, but embodies an

opportunity to teach many lessons and be referenced in many discussions.  Each few pages present Our Lady of: Nazareth, Mt. Carmel, Guadalupe, the Miraculous Medal, Knock, Lourdes, Fatima, Queen of the Angels. Weaved in are the Scapular, the Miraculous Medal, the Rosary, the Hail Mary, and more… Depending the age of your listener, the book leaves open the door for an adult to add deeper facts such as of the Carmelite order, or Juan Diego etc...

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Philo and the Superholies by Mireille Mishriky

Grandma coaches Philo that the Superholies were the blessings of the Holy Spirit granted to all Christians at their baptism.  Philo gets a quick reminder of what each one of the nine does: self-control, joy, patience etc… So when Philo needed help with a bully in the playground, he made the sign of the cross to activate his Superholies, and with help from the Kindness Superholy, he saved the day. This book alligns the child with God, to conquer any fear, challenge, etc. An awesome way to teach this!   It's a great book for a gift to a grade 1 or younger child being Baptized.  There are several books in this series…

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Roses in the Snow: A Tale of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary by Dessi Jackson

What a lovely tale with wonderful illustrations. A Hungarian grandma brings alive the story of St. Elizabeth of Hungary to her granddaughter. This is a cuddle close with cocoa read.

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​The Saint and His Bees by Dessi Jackson

We are all called to be saints--and not all saints built hospitals and founded Orders--some were ordinary, wonderful, and just worked with God’s plan...like St. Modomnoc of Wales who brought his bees to Ireland. While reading this book, encourage children to be the best version of themselves, and to keep working to be the saint - simple or huge - that God calls them to be!  The last page reminds us that the descendants of St. Modomnoc's bees can still be found at a Church in Ireland...

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THE STORY OF ALL STORIES by Emily Stimpson Chapman

The book all parents and teachers need.  This is 33 Old Testament stories and 43 New Testament stories - as I would tell them to kids.  The author and illustrator weave around the violence and scariness that are front and center in "grown-up" Bibles, while keeping the message/reason of the 76 parts of the Bible.  This book is "just right."  It just came out this season (late 2025) - but I will be reading this one to children 'till the end of my days.   Have I mentioned just how perfect it is.

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The New St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism

Utilize this book from First Holy Communion through Adulthood to learn or be reminded of the basics of our Faith.​ For years, I've taught First Holy Communion with this as a text - but heads up, its presentation and graphics are, with old-fashioned frankness, true and to the point (Heaven and Hell).   There is a Pink Book 1 and a Grey Book 2 version of this.  They are essentially the same book: book No. 1 is meant for a younger listener, book No. 2 is meant for older children who readily read and answer questions by themselves.  Either book speaks to adults seeking answers as well.  This book warrants a spot on the bookshelf next to the Catechism of the Catholic Church - whether you're young or old.

 

The Secret of the Shamrock by Lisa M. Hendey

Awesome book, for sure if your early readers are Irish, or Catholic, like to go to church, or don’t  :) ....It’s an easy quick-read short-chapter book packed full of Catholic-isms. Patrick and his pet frog named after the pope, get transported to Ireland for an adventure with St. Patrick himself. If your kids like the secular series Magic Treehouse, they’ll love this. There’re more in this series.

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Sitting Like a Saint: Catholic Mindfulness for Kids by Dr. Gregory & Barbra Bottaro

Each page offers a paragraph on a different saint--then describes a relaxation technique. In today’s world full of stress, this is a great way to teach children (and us all) how to, like the saints,  look to Heaven when anxious, tense, or have problems.   Kids learn things such as deep breathing, self awareness of their muscles, etc. and it empowers them to deep breathe, stretch, emulate the saints, and pray. This is a book to read and learn with one page

per sitting… I've gotten good results with neuro-diverse kids too.  Awesome.

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Take it to the Queen: A Tale of Hope by Josephine Nobisso

This is a fable that parallels man’s relationship to God, the fall of man, and our path to God through Mary. In true fable fashion, parts can be a little obscure. Read it once to enjoy the story, then read the front and back flaps that point out the symbolism throughout. Each time you read it after that--and you’ll want to--you’ll contemplate more. I LOVE this tale-full of hope for sure. My favorite line in the book is not from the story, but from the author’s letter at the end of it, “...Jesus taught us only one prayer. He would not have asked us to pray for things that

cannot be fulfilled.”

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​The Tale of THREE TREES: a Traditional Folktale retold by Angela Elwell Hunt

Read/Get this book for every young child you know!  Three trees imagine what they'll be when they "grow up".  We all've heard "If you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans :) ." Each tree becomes disappointed with what it SEEMS life threw at them.  In the end, each, simply by allowing God's plan to unfold in their lives, "their all" was used for Jesus' Manger, Miracle, and Cross.   The conversations about being open to and patient for God to work in their lives...makes this a powerful blessing of a book. 

 

This is the CHURCH by Katie Warner

The charcoal sketchings of the dimly lit Catholic church are brightened by the colored stained glass windows, contemplated one by one as they present the story of the church. It reads rhythmically, for a younger audience, with a repetitive phrase. The story begins with Jesus, then meanders past the Apostles, the Holy Family, the Jews, the Patriarchs, Adam and Eve, the Creation Story, and ends reminding you that You are just as integral in the Church's story.  You are to shine your light into the world doing your part to share God’s love in the world.   This is a good one to bring to Mass or Adoration for a young child to then notice the stained glass stories in their own church...

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The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith by Josephine Nobisso

The prince and princess were getting married during a time when hardly anyone went to Mass anymore. A beggar asked the baker for a crust of bread for which she would pay him by offering up her attendance at the wedding Mass. The grouchy baker wrote ”one Mass” on a piece of tissue and threw it opposite the bread on his fine bakery scale. The tissue weighed more. Page by page he adds more baked items until finally the royal wedding cake is balanced on top--but the Mass consistently weighed more. The book ends with humility, all walking to Mass, the baker’s son acknowledged for his desire to become a priest instead of a baker, and more.  I LOVE this book.

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What Color is Love: A Parable of God’s Gifts by Nan Gurley

Grammy is a seamstress. At the end of the workday she tucks her granddaughter into bed and sneaks back down to her workroom to sew her a surprise coat. With each color fabric, she sings a verse that ties that color to God (red for Jesus' shed blood etc.). The granddaughter sneaks down and watches and listens from behind the door. When grammy awakens from behind her sewing machine, the granddaughter is trying on the coat. Have a tissue close as you read the ending: They dance around the sewing room reminded how God loves them as much as they love each other. The book ends with a Note To Parents page that includes the bible verses that correspond to the colors. I LOVE this book.

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llustrated Lives of the Saints for Catholic Children by Daniel A. Lord, S.J. and Julie Cragon

A simple straightforward easy read, with one page for each of 125 saints, next to a colorful detail filled picture of each. This book is written with conversational, not-boring summaries. It has been our go-to saint book for years.

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Look for more recommendations to come...  I'll add as often as I can...

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FOR CATHOLIC ADULTS:

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7 Secrets of the Eucharist by Vinny Flynn

Simply put, anyone who reads this book will never be bored at Mass again! Why they don’t teach this as standard information in Religious Education I don’t know. I teach the “secrets” to classes young and old… My Mass experiences will be forever enhanced because of this book.  This is a perfect gift for any adult, and is certainly a perfect Confirmation gift. I've heard this author talk at a church - he is passionate about the truths in this book.  His daughter sings the Chaplet of Divine Mercy on EWTN (find her on youTube).

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7 Secrets of Confession by Vinny Flynn

My guess is everyone would go to confession more if they’d been read this book before going. What a treasure of the reality of confession. Our copy has been underlined and written up all in the margins… I hold the information in my own heart, and teach the concepts to younger kids et al.  The book itself makes a perfect Confirmation gift or gift for any adult.​​​​​​​

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A Minute in the Church by Gus Lloyd

Second to New Catholic Picture Bible (above), I have gifted many many copies of this particular pamphlet-size book.  Pictured here is his set of four pamphlet-size books, each full of bite-sized answers to a list of "first questions" typical to when learning or refreshing the Catholic faith.  Eucharist? Faith and Works? Purgatory?...  He knows just how to casually and precisely address each topic - and I love that he lists corresponding Bible verses to encourage further research.  There's one book just on the Mass...  check out the author's guslloyd.com.

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Around The Year With The Von Trapp Family by Maria Augusta Von Trapp

'No secret I geek-out about anything Sound of Music...  This is the real Maria Von Trapp, who was a truly devoted Catholic, and had great practical ways to share the faith with all of her children: She and the Captain had more children after they married...  And she had traditions in Austria that had to be adapted when they began their new life in America.  Listening to her focus on the "why" - and getting creative with the "how," is, I think, what's important in life.  This is a wonderful book to saunter through as you brainstorm creating traditions for YOUR family.  

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Cooking With The Saints by Alexander Greeley and Fernando Flores

I LOVE this cookbook.  Living by the Liturgical Calendar means always having a reason to celebrate.  Pick a day - pick a Saint - pick a season...there's a recipe in here to facilitate sharing faith with others.  What does St. John Neumann have to do with cheesecake?  Looking for a recipe to explain a Holy Day of Obligation?  I learned stuff like that and more in this book.  And did you know that St. Nicholas actually is the Patron of cookie-making!!?

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For God, Country and SANITY: How Catholics Can Save America edited by Brian Burch

In conversational essay-style chapters, 13 authors get right to the main point, each to 1 of 13 topics very relevant to American Catholics - especially in an election year.   This book includes sites and organizations to contact to explore such topics further on your own, as well as do-able suggestions and ideas to, like Mother Teresa suggests, make small changes with great love.  This is a great book to give as a gift to the politically-minded folk in your life, but don't overlook it as a gift to yourself - to nourish your journey of exploring not just Being Catholic - but Living Catholic.

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Christian Patriot: 12 Ways to Create One Nation Under God by Taylor Marshall

Don't just read this book (and I believe everyone should)...USE this book. All of us benefit by emulating the disciples' mission to learn from Jesus, cherish our blessings, and spread the word... Christian Patriot is a tool to remind all Americans that “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12). Check out the varied chapter topics that include all types of family and social issues!  Here are solid step by step plans - laid out to secure where we stand on important topics, and how to implement healing in our nation - one family - one word and deed at a time.

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The Rosary in 50 pages by Taylor Marshall, PhD​

​This book answers all our questions about the Rosary (and of course, how to pray it :) !)

Where is the Rosary in the Bible? (Everywhere!)

How do we even know to pray it? 

Who prays it?

WHY should I pray it?

And my personal favorite - the 15 PROMISES OF THE ROSARY --seriously, not praying it

is like not cashing in a winning lottery ticket!  (See Mary's list of Promises on the Resources Tab above.)

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The Catholic All Year Compendium - Liturgical Living for Real Life by Kendra Tierney

For years this has been simply my favorite go-to for Liturgical Living ideas.

 The author also has an amazing website called Catholic All Year.

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Understanding The Sacraments - God's Grace Guaranteed!  by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC

Perfect for learning the Sacrament basics and truths.  This is an easy conversational read yet packed with so

much information!  My biggest takeaway from this book (and there were SO many), was on page 8: That Sacraments are efficacious - they DO something.  (See my blog post "Tattoo your Soul!" on the tab above.)  Catholic Sacraments are important and SO not just a symbol.  My biggest reason to share this book is on page 4: "You cannot love what you do not know."  Learn the truth of guaranteed grace and eternal life (as long as we cooperate with said grace...).  Read/Internalize/Share this book. (and/or check out the author's youtubes summarizing this book - and his wonderfully endless other youtubes :)).

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Waiting Well - ADVENT with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Go to the Ascension Press App for Fr. Mike's daily reflections during Advent.  This is the Journal that pairs with it.  It starts today, November 30th, 2025 (the launch date of our TIME To Be Catholic), but I read ahead and it's wonderful!  I love Fr. Mike - this is a fantastic tool for Advent.  'Meet you in prayer there!

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Oh, this list has just begun!  ...keep checking for more...

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