🎄 Picture Book EXTRAVAGANZA 2024 [book list]

After the glowing reviews last year’s picture book extravaganza received, here is the list of NEW and popular picture books that families are loving right now!

Use this picture book list to check off some of your remaining Christmas gifts:

NEW The Holy Bible Adapted for Young Readers

By popular demand, this classic Bible with stunning illustrations is BACK IN PRINT to introduce a new generation of young readers to the fascinating stories of both the Old and New Testaments!

Featuring breathtaking full-color artwork and a readable translation, this collection is sure to draw children and adults alike into the awe-inspiring stories of Scripture and salvation history as never before. The book includes artwork depicting various parts of the Mass as well as sections for personalizing with key dates and family information. 

Designed to become the new go-to children’s Bible, this hardcover, 240 page book includes numerous stories that other children’s Bibles leave out and is written in pure, undiluted language. The artwork is deeply appealing, and the style shifts when moving from the Old Testament to the New.

NEW The Snail and the King

Written and illustrated by Fr. Peregrine Fletcher, this story was crafted over 11 years of work! 

Through colorful imagery and beautiful verse, this story teaches the necessity of the Holy Trinity through the characters of the King, the Prince, and the Dove. When the Son of the King invites everyone to the castle, a little snail sets out on his journey to the ship that will take him there. And with only three days until the ship sets sail, there isn’t a moment to lose! The snail is not the only animal who undertakes this journey, all hopeful of succeeding in the difficult journey to meet the King.

One mother told us, “My kids and I loved this book! They were able to figure out that the book was about an invitation to all of us to go to heaven but that many of us, for several reasons, choose not to go. It showed the Holy Spirit always present and ready to help us in our journey here on earth.“

NOW SHIPPING Fairest Lady: Hail Holy Queen in Sacred Art for Young Children

The third installment of our Sacred Art Book series!

Our customers can’t get enough of the breathtaking artwork that graces each page, making it a feast for the eyes and an enriching visual journey through The Hail Holy Queen. One delighted grandparent shared, “Absolutely beautiful book … in both content and artwork. I purchased it for my grandsons … and then went back and purchased two more copies.”

This stunning hardcover book includes:

• 24 pieces of classic Sacred Art with accompanying text,
• an explanation of the Hail, Holy Queen,
• a list of artwork and artists featured,
• and the Latin translation of the Hail, Holy Queen!

ON SALE: you can get the entire 3-book series HERE.

All about Advent and Christmas: Sharing the Seasons of Hope & Wonder with Children

A fantastic addition to your Advent titles, All about Advent & Christmas is a stunning picture book for the entire family!

Explore the rich traditions surrounding Christ’s birth as you journey through Scripture to understand the story of salvation and discover the meaning behind many of our celebrations during Advent and Christmas. One mom told us, “The artwork is amazing. It drew me into the book right away. The content is appropriate for young children all the way to adults. The book would be great to share as a family or in a classroom.”

Continue building out your Advent picture book titles with An Advent Hope (both perfect for St. Nicholas gifts on December 6th)!

NEW When Jesus Speaks

From the author of The Light of Christmas Morning comes another charming Catholic children’s book!

When Jesus Speaks convinces each heart that the divine power of Jesus’ word is real, commanding wind and waves, life and death, and then applies that reality to the mystery of the Eucharist. When Jesus speaks, the world obeys.

The illustrations highlight the reality of Jesus’ words, showing how the words of the Last Supper should be taken literally then and at every Mass today.

When Jesus Speaks recalls centuries of the Church’s faithfulness to the Lord truly present in the Holy Eucharist, generation after generation, Mass after Mass, to this very day.  

NEW A Girl is a Girl (and A Boy is a Boy)

NEW for Catholic families: Instill in your smallest children the belief that their creation is INTENTIONAL.

A Girl is a Girl celebrates how every girl is precious and unique in God’s eyes, whether playing with trucks, feeding ducks, digging in the dirt, or twirling in a skirt. Your children will delight in the fun rhymes and vibrant, heartwarming illustrations. 

Similarly for A Boy is Boy, this book shows that being a boy is not defined by stereotypes such as clothing styles, hobbies, or skills. Nor is it defined by feelings. Our sex is part of who we are, and, like God’s love, it never changes. Emotions are fleeting, but God’s love is eternal and provides infinite dignity and worth. 

NEW Very Young Catholics in Thailand

Just released and NOW SHIPPING is the 15th installment in the Very Young Catholic series!

Very Young Catholics in Thailand follows two young cousins in their charming village in Thailand! Join these cousins as they introduce us to famous stories, traditional dance, and the lively sport of kick volleyball! We visit their rubber farm, participate in their Saint Valentine’s Day Traditions, and join in the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for forty young students. 

This Christmas is a wonderful time to start building your Very Young Catholic series! There are so many to choose from–start by picking your favorite countries:

• Very Young Catholics in Austria
• Very Young Catholics in Brazil
• Very Young Catholics in Australia
• Very Young Catholics in Ireland
• Very Young Catholics in Kenya
• Very Young Catholics in Canada
• Very Young Catholics in Iceland
• Very Young Catholics in Thailand
• Very Young Catholics in Argentina
• Very Young Catholics in Ecuador
• Very Young Catholics in Taiwan
• Very Young Catholics in the United States of America
• Very Young Catholics in Togo
• Very Young Catholics in Fiji
• Very Young Catholics in India

NEW Simon and Sarah Seek and Find: The Twelve Apostles

The next Catholic “seek and find” picture book is HERE!

In this fourth volume of the Seek and Find series, children will go back in time to learn about the lives of the 12 Apostles. Along the way, they will look for Sara and Simon, a girl and a boy like them; Felix and Estella, a teacher and his daughter; Lavan and Hoom, the two cats; and Gil the goat.

If you missed the rest of the series, check out the previous titles here: 

• Simon and Sarah Seek and Find: The Life of Jesus
• Simon and Sarah Seek and Find: The Lives of the Saints
• Simon and Sarah Seek and Find: On the Way to Santiago de Compostela

My Name is Philomena: A Saint’s Story

Winner of the 2024 International Book Award and 2024 Catholic Media Association’s Book Award. 

In this book, Philomena herself shares the splendid account of her short life: from the first moment she fell in love with God to her final moment on earth, when she laid down her life for Him. Join the Greek princess Philomena as her dangerous and breathtaking story unfolds. Bear witness to how this young “daughter of light” defeated the forces of darkness and inherited the extraordinary title “Powerful with God.”

One parent told us, “I loved this book because it gives the story of the saint without overwhelming the reader with too much information. It gives enough detail to understand her story. It’s a good book for all ages. I’m planning on preserving it well for my future grandkids.”

Jesus, Were You Little?

Children have a lot of questions–and this picture book gives small children with an opportunity to wonder about the Child Jesus!

In Jesus, Were You Little? children full of questions and wonder take readers on a journey of discovery, making Jesus real and relatable to young and old. With innocent curiosity, children ask the King of kings if he ever climbed a tree, spilled his milk, or skinned his knee.

Adventure by adventure, we realize that Jesus knew the joys, pains, and vulnerability of being little. Finally when a child, with budding devotion, asks the ultimate question — “Jesus, were you little? Just for me?” — we join together in the youngsters’ joy at the answer.

Read Aloud Book of Bible Stories

If you don’t have this classic volume for your Catholic library, this Christmas is a wonderful time to pick up Read-Aloud Book of Bible Stories!

Each story is just the right length for little children, and they are told by a master storyteller. Holds the attention of even the most restless child. Your children (and grandchildren!) will marvel at the Old Testament stories, the prophecies of the coming Savior, be charmed by the gentle goodness of Jesus’ boyhood, and be dazzled by the scores of miracles that proved He is the Messiah coming to save Israel … and all of us, too!

Continuing with stories about events after the Resurrection, you’ll be able to bring your children along with Peter, Paul, and the Apostles as they carry the Good News to the ends of the earth, and then get a glimpse, with St. John, of the marvels promised for the end of time!

You will be so glad that you added this book to your collection–just as so many parents have for a century!

There are so many wonderful Catholic books that can make fantastic Christmas gifts!