faithAlivebooks

Brother Sun, Sister Moon

 

Here is the newest book on The Canticle of the Sun. This is the first book for the artist Pamela Dalton, a master of scherenschnitte, the art of papercutting. Each piece is first sketched freehand, and then cut by hand from a single piece of paper before being hand colored. It will come as no surprise that her artwork has enthralled collectors worldwide for more than two decades. Renowned children's author Katherine Paterson reimagines this text and turned it into a poem that I believe St. Francis would enjoy.

Reviewed by Lee Nagel, Executive Director of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership.

Book of the Week for January 29, 2012.

Amazon

At Break of Day

This picture book’s strength is “derived from the artful combination of gentle, lilting prose and the beautifully textured and rich illustrations”. Rather than that using a simple rhyme for children, Nikki Grimes makes “great use of alliteration and gently rhythmic language”. Furthermore, Grimes does an excellent job of using a playful and loving relationship between father and son in this creation story to give us the combined imagery of Genesis 1 and John 1.

Reviewed by Lee Nagel, Executive Director of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership.

Book of the Week for January 22, 2012

Amazon

A Time to Plant

A Time to Plant: Life Lessons in Work, Prayer, and Dirt by Kyle Kramer

This is a story of coming home - nothing as dramatic as the Prodigal Son, but it is a homecoming story nonetheless. Kyle Kramer's book A Time to Plant: Life Lessons in Work, Prayer, and Dirt is more memoir than how-to, as he brings the reader along his journey home to the Catholic Church and the land of the Midwest.

Kramer begins with the questions, "What does it mean to make a home in the world? How does one live a life of faithful belonging to other people, to Creation, and to God?"

In his search to answer these questions, Kramer, a Christian, finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the rich tapestry of Catholicism, especially rooted in the Benedictine traditions of physical labor, prayer, and hospitality. Kramer's conversion to Catholicism (and his wife!) helped him to see how the growing of food was a ministry that served his growing family, his customer, the earth, and God.

Kramer's self-discovery reminds us that within each vocation, married or religious life, there are so many "mini-vocations" or calls from God in the life of service. We are all called to serve God in the pursuit of an authentic belonging in Creation - living a life in which we are connected to other people, the rest of Creation, and the Creator.
Kramer's story will touch anyone who is on a spiritual journey, looking for home; and especially anyone who is interested in the pursuit of a simple and sustainable life.

Review by Whitney Belprez, Program Manager, Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University (GVSU).

Ave Maria Press

 Amazon

The Best Spiritual Books of 2011

By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Every year from the more than 300 books we review on this website, we choose 50 "best spiritual books." These are the titles that have most impressed and inspired us, and since we only review books that we want to recommend to you for your spiritual journey, this selection actually represents the best of the best.

We have organized this list by a major theme or spiritual practice covered in the book. These headings are just to make it easier for you to find the books you might be most interested in; they are not subcategories of the awards. Through diverse approaches, drawing upon the wisdom and practices of the world's religions, these titles explore the quest for meaning and purpose, wholeness and healing, commitment and community, contemplation and social activism.

We congratulate the authors and publishers of these exceptional contributions to today's spiritual renaissance. Click on the title link to read the full review.

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What's New about the Mass

What's New about the Mass
Maureen A. Kelly

Based in part on Paul Turner's Understanding the Revised Mass Texts, Second Edition, this resource explains the changes in the Mass texts at a very simple level so that children who have already learned the parts of the Mass, the prayers and responses, and have received First Holy Communion will understand the changes in the texts and be able to respond at Mass.
 
This book includes:
the new prayers and responses
explanations of the words
the parts of the Mass and their meaning
glossary
activities

What's New about the Mass may be used with children in third through seventh grades in Catholic schools, parish religious education sessions, or in the home.

978-1-56854-936-1
Order code: WNM
1–24 copies: $1.50 each
25–49 copies: $1.25 each
50 or more: $1 each

For more information and to order, contact Liturgy Training Publications

The Jesus Storybook Bible

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name written by Sally Lloyd-Jones & Illustrated by Jago

Amazon

Sally Lloyd-Jones beautifully translate the Bible into the Jesus Storybook Bible, a very kid-friendly series of stories from both the Old and New Testaments. Jago presents each story with bright and visionary illustrations. Children can easily read and digest God's message through their very own Bible

Reviewed by Chelsea Gartner

2010 Bachelor of Arts Graduate at De Pauw University in Greencastle, IN. Major in Art History.

 

Written for children ages 4-7, the author clearly knows her audience, using simple to understand language that inspires further dialogue.  Sally Lloyd-Jones knows how to bring the Bible to life for young kids.  Children are sure to be drawn into story after story, captivated by the vivid illustrations done by Jago.

Reviewed by Nancy Sullivan, Grand Rapids, MI

Interview of Sally Lloyd Jones on April 20, 2011

The Jesus Storybook Bible website

Sally Lloyd-Jones blog

Sally Lloyd-Jones website

World Magazine Interview

Facebook

Wonderworker

Wonderworker: The True Story of How St. Nicholas Became Santa Claus by Vincent A. Yzermans. ACTA Publications

"This book will appeal to children from the age of nine to ninety-nine." From the publisher.

42 Bible Stories for Little Ones

Jesus loves everyone and the book, 42 Bible Stories for Little Ones: From Creation to Pentecost, proves he does. In this book Jesus shows his love by curing a 12 year old girl that was dying. I think that from that day on, the little girl praised God and Jesus. In this story it shows God’s power.

The Israelites are leaving Egypt and are protected by God. They get to the Red Sea and the Egyptians are chasing them because they want their slaves back. Moses spreads his arms and with God's power the river made a walk for them. God is very strong and powerful.

These two stories and this little Bible are helpful reminders to what living holy is about.

Note: Maria wrote this review when she was in 4^th grade.

Maria Salerno

Fifth Grade

Grand Rapids, MI

Jesus A to Z

Jesus A to Z by Michael O' Neill McGrath

World Library Publications

Review
This engaging alphabet book is filled with amazing and beautiful artwork, and brimming with biblical references.  My five year old son loved searching for the hidden letters of the alphabet amongst the illustrations. The book stimulated much conversation about vocabulary that was new to him throughout the text.  Faith enriching, fun and an excellent teaching tool as well.

Nancy Sullivan, Grand Rapids, MI

Amazon

Death of Josseline by Margaret Regan

In the Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona Borderlands, Margaret Regan has masterfully blended the intense, political debate of immigration reform with the moral struggles of real people, who are taking the risks of crossing the Arizona border. This makes for a very interesting and compelling read.  

With each testimony Regan shows how this migration dramatically impacts families, reaching miles away from the Arizona border - from the jungles of Central America to communities throughout the United States.  

Regan has a very good handle on both U.S. immigration law and economic policy as it relates to this region.  She accurately portrays how recent changes in law and policies have created a truly, moral dilemma that exists now in our country.  

This well-crafted book expands our knowledge on this topic while at the same time makes us reflect deeply on your moral beliefs.  Her journalistic talents provide a full picture of the problem without imposing her opinions.  

Death of Josseline is a fabulous resource for a book group, workshop or bible study on the immigration topic.

 

Reviewed by Laura Rampersad, Regional Coordinator for Justice for Our Neighbors-West Michigan

Amazon

Book of the week for October 9, 2011