Catholic Picture Books – March

An easy way to celebrate the liturgical year is through reading books. We are blessed to have collected many stories of various saints, mostly short stories and chapter books.  Slowly our picture book collection is growing including a few saints stories. Sharing here our collection for the month of March, if you know of any others to recommend for this month please share!

March 5th – St Kieren

St Ciaran The Tale of a Saint of Ireland
I have a brother Kieren so I was particularly excited to find this book. St Ciaran of Saigir was a hermit who lived in the 6th Century and was the first Irish born Saint. It is said he had a wonderful influence on wild animals and he traveled far from Ireland. So little is known of St Kieren that I’m uncertain how accurate this book is. Gentle text and lovely oil illustrations.

March 17th – St Patrick

Patrick: Saint of Ireland – Joyce Denham
A new purchase, on the life of St Patrick from his captivity through to his ministry.  Includes his confrontation with King Laogharie, his teaching of the Trinity, and the miracle of the deer. Beautiful illustrations, longer text for the older child.  5 Star!

* Thanks to Jen for the recommendation

Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland – Tomie de Paola
Absolutely love Tomie de Paoloa’s depiction of the life of St Patrick. The main events of his life and ministry are covered, including some legends. 5 Star!

March 19th – St Joseph

Song of the Swallows
A story about the swallows returning for Spring to the San Juan mission in Capistrano on the Feast of St Joseph.  The text is long so more for the over 6 crowd, soft illustrations. Catholic Mosaic suggests reading this on the Feast of St Joseph.

Fear Not, Joseph – Julie Stiegemeyer
Illustrates how St Joseph was obedient to the will of God, how often an angel appeared and told him to, ‘Fear Not’, from the Annunciation to the Flight into Egypt.  The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. However I skim several parts when reading to my children, some make me ‘itchy’ some simply irritate me.
Caveats- when Mary tells Joseph she is to bear a child (they are not yet married) Joseph’s doubts and thoughts are spelt out quite clearly, I heavily censor those two pages, not necessary for children to focus on, and the Birth, Mary gives birth in pain, she was sinless therefore would not have been in pain!! (Catholic worldview) and the presence of woman attending the Birth (no mention of this in any of the Gospels).  What to rate?? without the caveats this would be a 5 Star and with censoring still can be, but with those only a 3 Star.

Father and Son – Geraldine McCaughrean
Absolutely a favourite! Illustrations are warm and inviting. Text creates a sense of wonder.  “How can I teach him his words and letters: he who strung the alphabet together..”  St Joseph was given a huge job, to be the foster father of Jesus, how could he begin to parent The Son of God and yet, humbly, simply he did.  4.5 Star

* Jen has a few more recommendations for St Joseph