“Hi Jesus, it’s Clare…”: How to teach your child to talk to Jesus as her friend

When the three older girls (Virginia, Clara, and Margaret) were growing into that reading age, they loved Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby series.

They were so delighted reading about a girl their own age navigating normal little girl life struggles with her family and friends (and the humor which resulted!).

When Anna, Therese, Lillian, and Caroline (whom we called the “Nursery Girls” because they shared one big room from very early ages!) began approaching the “Ramona Quimby years,”  a friend at a Catholic conference handed Ken a book which shared many of the same attractions (young girl, normal struggles, plenty of humor) combined with something else…our Catholic Faith!

In the back of the van on the way home from the conference, Anna read it–then it spread from pillow to pillow in “the Nursery” with the readers reading and the non-readers having it read aloud to them by their sisters at night.

One night during the rounds of nighttime kisses and blessings, Lillian pulled the book from under her pillow and told Ken, “You need to read this book, Dad. It is really good, about this girl, and she [lots of excited girl explanation–with others in the Nursery joining in]–but I won’t tell you the end. You have to read it yourself.”

Our Anna, Therese, Lillian, and Caroline LOVED this book! They shared it between themselves when they were 7 to 10 or 11 years old, and they would discuss it amongst themselves.  So sweet to watch them reading it together!

Here’s why I love it:
There is no better story
for teaching your girls how to pray
to Jesus as your best friend.

Nine-year-old Clare, in her inimitable way, models for children that following Jesus Christ and striving for true holiness are worth any cost. With spirit and spunk, she demonstrates for young readers that living the holy Catholic faith is not only exciting but better than gooey, warm chocolate chip cookies.

Give your kids an approachable character (like Clare!) who is striving to do the right thing informed by her Catholic faith! Give your young girls a story you would like them to model!

This is what other Catholic parents have said about Clare’s Costly Cookie:

“Children will love it. Parents will gain a new understanding that helps them appreciate God’s hidden work in the hearts and minds of our youth. This book might remind you of some of your own prayers when you were young.”

Dad from CO

“The dialogue with Jesus that Clare carries on gives my daughter insights into what could be a better approach to disagreements, fights, etc without it becoming “preachy”, since it doesn’t come from Mama but a fellow child.”

Mom from CA

“I love the short but very full chapters. My kids and I have been reading one each night. I plan to read it again as we journey toward 1st communion.”

Meghan from CA

“I’m using it as part of First Confession/Communion prep for my daughter and she really likes it. It’s a gentle introduction to prayer as a relationship with Jesus, rather than just a formal thing to do at set times with the family.”

Anna from ND

This book will not only help your children learn how to talk to God, but it will also provide them with an example of how to be a fun, Catholic girl in their everyday lives! There is a lack of strong Catholic witnesses for our children–give them one in the story of Clare.

We have so many other book suggestions for Catholic kids

Anna shares My Favorite Tiny Catholic Books that she enjoyed reading over and over again when she was little. She also wrote a blog about the 7 Books for Every College Freshman before she left for college.

Clara shares some spiritual books for children in her blog Why You Should Encourage Spiritual Reading (perfect for Lent!).

Therese shared one of her favorite books in her I skipped school to read this (moral: get it for your kids) blog.