Living the Ten Commandments for Children,
The Beatitudes for Children,
The Mass Book for Children,
Little Acts of Grace 1 & 2,
Just Like Mary
by Rosemarie Cortler & Donna Piscitelli
with Illustrations by Mimi Sternhagen
Our Sunday Visitor, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2003
To order: Our Sunday Visitor
1-800-348-2440
There is a child in each of us just waiting to climb out and peek at the world. The innocence of children has a way of charming us, and these books by Rosemarie Coutler and Donna Piscitelli have a way of charming that inner child out of each of us, regardless of our age.
Each of these books contain lessons that are critical for children to know, but are also good reminders for adults as well. So by sitting down with the child or children with these books on the knee, parents can glean so much spiritual richness, as well as giving their child a gift that far surpasses anything else they could give: Jesus Christ.
There is a sweetness about parents sitting down with their children to learn what it means to be a child of God. After all, did Jesus not tell us that unless we adopt the heart of a child, we shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven?
A nice touch that Mimi Sternhagen has included are little mice in the corner of almost every page, highlighting the significance of each lesson. We see these little mice crying during the lessons of the fifth and seventh commandments, or when we call to mind our sins. The mice return bearing candles and bells to usher in the great sacrifice of the Mass. They’re a tiny addition, but it would be a fun exercise to have the children try and find them in the pictures.
Throughout each of these books, quotes from Sacred Scripture boldly proclaim the theme of each lesson. Each lesson makes the teachings of Sacred Scripture relevant for their little lives. Through word and picture, Jesus draws close to the child reader, and the Christian life becomes something in which they can actively participate, not only on Sundays and holy days, but every day.
Living The Ten Commandments for Children focuses on how the reader must put God first in all things. It teaches not only what must not be done, but also offers the Christian ideal of what can be done to live each of the Commandments.
The Beatitudes for Children takes what may seem like confusing language and clarifies it for the reader and puts each of the beatitudes into the context of every day life. Also, each beatitude lesson ends with a special prayer.
The Mass Book for Children is an excellent way to teach kids the importance and holiness of what goes on during the Mass. It urges the reader to pay close attention to what the priest does and how the people are to respond. It teaches with clarity the meaning behind each word and gesture.
Little Acts of Grace 1 & 2 take the importance of prayer and teach children to apply Christianity in their daily lives. From making little gestures of reverence when passing a church to the Sign of the Cross to finding God in the little things in life, this makes God real for little children.
What lesson about Jesus would be complete without looking toward His Blessed Mother. Just Like Mary teaches kids how to look at life and faith through the eyes of Mary, the Mother of God. From lessons on humility to grace to looking to Jesus for help and guidance, this book instills devotion to Our Lady and teaches kids the powerful prayer, the rosary. It breaks down the Hail Mary prayer in parts that children can understand and that adults can find fresh and new insights.
These books can make great gifts for children’s birthdays or Christmas, giving them meaning and purpose and a profound connection to God very early in their lives. Yet, the most important gift parents can give to their children is to spend time with them, leafing through the lessons of these books and instilling in them a love for the Catholic faith. By simply sitting down with them, taking an interest in them, parents will show their children just how much they love them. This is the gift that will keep on giving as the child grows into adulthood, has children of their own, and will even endure into everlasting life.
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