Build Your Catholic Children’s Library [book list]

During this time of year, book lists are a great resource to gather the best stories to inspire your children!

Here are some of our favorites Catholic children’s books (both old and new) to fill your shelves:

The Weight of the Mass Trilogy

On nearly every Catholic children’s book list, you will find references to the beautiful picture books by Josephine Nobisso.

But while many Catholic mothers know the Catholic classic The Weight of the Mass and Take it to the Queen, the quiet release of the third installment in the trilogy was missed by many. These three books focus on the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. The stories are rich with beautiful imagery in both words and pictures.

In addition, our editions include detailed notes inside the dust jackets that will help you discover even more hidden meanings in the stories and pictures! Perfect for discussions about the deeper theological meanings and symbolism of this story!

I Believe: The Apostles’ Creed in Sacred Art for Young Children

The heritage of the Catholic Church includes the most beautiful art known to man. As the culture around us lacks an appreciation of true beauty, it is important that Catholic mothers expose their children to the beauty of sacred art.

In that vein, this picture book will help Catholic children learn the Creed while seeing magnificent artwork. On each page, there is a phrase of the Creed with a short explanation of what it means at the bottom. Children can lean about the meaning of the words paired with incredible sacred art images!

And, just now released, you can get the second installment in this series to teach the Guardian Angel and St. Michael the Archangel Prayers–> find it here.

The Children’s Book of Angels

Speaking of angels, here is a book formated as a “question and answer” about these heavenly aids!

Children are intrigued by angels, and we actually know a lot about them. Learn from this new, full-color book, packed full of angel info from the Bible, the saints, the Catechism, and Church tradition.

In a straightforward Q&A approach we answer what children ask us about angels:

• When did God make angels–and why?
• How are they like us–and how are they not like us?
• What do they do? (And you’ll learn many, many Scriptural examples!)
• Are all angels alike? What did St Thomas Aquinas tell us?
• Where can you go which will always be full of angels?
• Prayers the angels say, prayers we can say to the angels–so much more!

This book is incredibly helpful for answering all your children’s questions about angels (and the illustrations are beautiful)!

An Advent Hope: A Children’s Book about Family Advent Traditions

If you enjoy the illustrations in The Children’s Book of Angels, you need to add this NEW picture book about Advent! A much needed addition for Catholic children’s book collections about the Advent season. If you are in need of books about Advent, An Advent Hope explains the traditions and practices of this liturgical season.

Joan, Joe, Emmanuel, and Gianna are surprised when their parents suddenly begin bringing things into their home at the beginning of December. Evergreen branches, candles, and new foods keep appearing throughout the house. They are quickly told that this is part of “Advent” and that the family is preparing for the Christmas season. 

You can also find an accompanying Christmas pudding recipe to make with your children after reading this story.

Lucy and Patrick Pray the Rosary

Another picture book that shows normal Catholic family life–something sorely missing in most picture books!

The family Rosary is always an…interesting time. Join Lucy and Patrick, five-year-old twins, as their family prays the Rosary at the end of a long day–with a very tired Mom and Dad. Every child will delight in “reading” this unique story book, revealing all that happens to this typical Catholic family–through nothing but pictures!

This book is not heavy handed in trying to teach children something about their faith–rather, it simply presents the normal life of a Catholic family. Catholic children will be able to “see” themselves and their families through this picture book!

A is for Angel: The Alphabet in Sacred Art

Pairing classic works of sacred art with the ABCs of Catholicism, A Is for Angel impresses the beauty of the faith upon the hearts, minds, and souls of children.

The youngest readers can explore words ranging from “Angels” and “Baptism,” to “Creation” and “Saints.” Those a little older will learn religious basics through easily memorized lines, all accompanied by gorgeous paintings that illustrate the concept—including (for “P”) that “We open our hearts to God when we kneel down in prayer.”

You can find a similar book in An Alphabet of the Altar–the alphabet is presented through illustrations of the Traditional Latin Mass.

I Wonder about the Good Shepherd

The recent recipient of the Seal of Approval from the Catholic Writers Guild, this beautiful picture book presents a most-beloved Psalm for the wonderment of children.

Written by two sisters to fulfill a childhood ambition to write and illustrate a book together. The author, Jenny, is a Montessori guide and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd catechist, and the illustrator, Caroline, is a former Disney artist who has created hundreds (now thousands?) of Holy Heroes coloring pages, prayer card art, and other illustrations.

Rhyme and enchanting colorful illustrations inspire delight in children as they “wonder about the Good Shepherd.” Certain to become a read-aloud favorite!

Beyond this picture book, the Read Aloud Book of Bible Stories is a must-have for Catholic households.

Let’s Look at a Masterpiece

This book list contains many important children’s books about Sacred Art, but one more is necessary.

Recently published in hardcover, Let’s Look at a Masterpiece by author Madeleine Stebbins models for children how to approach art with the eyes of faith and an open heart.

From Vermeer’s Little Street to Caravaggio’s Conversion of St. Paul, along with other timeless works from a variety of artistic periods, the twenty-two(!) masterpieces included in this volume will stir the soul of every child.

So Many Ways to Be Holy: A Child’s Book about Vocations

It’s the question children love to ponder (and act out) at an early age: “What do I want to be when I grow up?”

Here is a question that parents might want to ask themselves: “How can I gently and lovingly help my children discern what God is calling them to be?”

Here is an answer–read So Many Ways to Be Holy: A Child’s Book about Vocations

Charming pictures of children playing dress-up capture the joy that is to be found in all kinds of lives of service — from being an artist, a doctor, or an astronaut to becoming a priest, a brother, or a nun, and more!

A few more resources for your Catholic library:

If you plan on reading The King of the Golden City with your children, be sure to download our discussion guide.

You can also get the “boy version” of The King of the Golden City here.

If you plan on reading My Path to Heaven with your children, you can join this FREE program for accompanying videos, discussion questions, quizzes, and more.

Looking for Catholic board books? Find our blog post with award-winning board books HERE.

If you are looking for book suggestions for Moms, find our Top 5 Book Club Picks for Catholic Moms blog here.