Being initiated into the life of Christ through the sacraments is the great gift we can give our children. It is our charge to model a sacramental life for them, witnessing to the grace, peace, and joy found in this kind of union with Christ and His Church. 

Wonderfully, we also have a building treasure trove of Catholic picture and chapter books to help form their understanding and love of the Seven Sacraments! 

Books about the Sacraments for Kids

Sacraments in General

Seven Clues: A Catholic Treasure Hunt by Scott Hahn and Maura Roan McKeegan

Baptism

Jesus Speaks to Me about My Baptism by Angela Burrin

Chosen by Jenna Guizar

Confirmation 

The Soldier of Christ by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book)

Home for Good by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book)

Eucharist

Jesus Speaks to Me on My First Holy Communion by Angela M. Burrin

Jesus Speaks to Me about the Mass by Angela M. Burrin

Jesus and the Miracle of the Mass by Gracie Jagla

The Weight of a Mass by Josephine Nobisso

Receiving Jesus for Little Ones by Kimberly Fries

First Communion by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book)

The King of the Golden City by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book)

Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids by Kathryn Griffin Swegart (chapter book)

Confession

Jesus Speaks to Me about Confession by Angela M. Burrin

First Confession by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book)

Matrimony

One Holy Marriage by Katie Warner

Holy Orders

Father Ben Gets Ready for Mass by Katie Warner

Jack Giorgio: Future Priest by Katie Warner

 

What books would you add to the list?!

 

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The Virgin Mary is loved by all, young and old alike! Each of these picture books is all about our Lady; it will delight your children. Check out below for our Picture Books about Mary!

 

Mary, the Mother of Jesus by Tomie dePaola

This book contains fifteen stories featuring our Lady, from childhood to her glorious Assumption into Heaven.

Take It to the Queen: A Tale of Hope by Josephine Nobisso 

Take It to the Queen is a beautiful picture book, rich in allegorical references; we truly can take anything to our Mother in Heaven.

Mary by Brian Wildsmith

Written by Brian Wildsmith, this book chronicles the life of Our Lady from her Immaculate Conception to her glorious Assumption.

The Life of Mary by Inos Biffi

In The Life of Mary, Biffi walks us through the life of Mary accompanied by gorgeous illustrations that bring each event to life.

A Garden for Mary by Neena Gaynor

Both adults and children will delight in this discovery of various botanicals that represent the mysteries of Mary's life and how she points us to Jesus.

Our Lady's Wardrobe by Anthony DeStefano

To help us learn about Our Lady, DeStefano walks us through her different "outfits" as she has lived and appeared throughout the centuries. This book is perfect for the month in which we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Fatima!

The Lady in the Blue Cloak by Eric A. Kimmel

A collection of stories set in Texas, this book follows the mysterious 'blue lady'.

Our Lady of Guadalupe by Francisco Serrano

Our Lady of Guadalupe follows the beloved story of Juan Diego and details his deep love for our Heavenly Mother.

Mary, Mother of Jesus by Marlyn Monge

This is a great option if you want a good Marian board book for your little ones!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Saints are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They paved the way for our faith and their lives inspire us to pursue virtue and to be at home in the Heart of Christ. 

The stories of the Saints—in all their variety—engage our children's imaginations and call them to their own adventure with Christ. Blessedly, there are many picture books about the Saints for children. 

Picture Books about the Saints for Children

Note: There are many stunning Catholic treasuries about the Saints. The books we recommend here are about individual Saints. 

Female Saints

Lucia: Saint of Light by Katherine Bolger Hyde

The Life of Saint Brigid: Abbess of Kildare by Jane G. Meyer 

Joan of Arc by Josephine Poole

Joan of Arc by Demi

Joan of Arc by Diane Stanley

The Secret World of Hildegard by Jonah Winter

Hildegard's Gift by Megan Hoyt 

Roses in the Snow: A Tale of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary by Dessi Jackson

Bernadette: The Little Girl from Lourdes by Sophie Maraval-Hutin

Saint Bernadette and the Miracles of Lourdes by Demi

Mother Teresa by Demi

Male Saints

Saint Jude: A Friend in Hard Times by Michael Aquilina

Saint Anthony the Great by John Chryssavgis and Marilyn Rouvelas

Saint Valentine by Ann Tompert

Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda 

The Legend of Saint Christopher by Margaret Hodges

The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale by Aaron Shepard

The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi

Saint Nicholas: The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Stiegemeyer

The Saint and His Bees by Dessi Jackson

Saint Francis by Brian Wildsmith

Francis Woke Up Early by Josephine Nobisso

Saint Francis of Assisi by Demi

The Good Man of Assisi by Mary Joslin

Saint Francis of Assisi: A Life of Joy by Robert F. Kennedy 

Saint Francis and the Proud Cow by Bernadette Watts

The Wolf of Gubbio by Michael Bedard and Murray Kimber

Canticle of the Sun by Fiona French

Saint Felix and the Spider by Dessi Jackson

Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges

Good King Wenceslas by John M. Neale

Good King Wenceslas by Jane Seymour 

Saint Ciaran: The Tale of a Saint of Ireland by Gary D. Schmidt

The Ravens of Farne: A Tale of Saint Cuthbert by Donna Farley

Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola

The Blackbird's Nest: Saint Kevin of Ireland by Jenny Schroedel 

Snow on Martinmas by Heather Sleightholm

The Wonderful Life of Saint Sergius of Radonezh by Alvin Alexsi Currier 

The Holy Twins: Benedict and Scholastica by Kathleen Norris

The Life of Saint Benedict by John McKenzie 

St. Jerome and the Lion by Margaret Hodges

A Saint and His Lion: The Story of Tekla of Ethiopia by Elaine Murray Stone

Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert by Gary D. Schmidt 

Pied Piper of Peru by Ann Tompert

Saint Brendan and the Voyage before Columbus by Michael McGrew (Author), Marnie Litz 

Peter Claver, Patron Saint of Slaves by Julia Durango

John Mary Vianney: The Holy Cure of Ars by Sophie De Mullenheim

The Little Friar Who Flew by Patricia Lee Gauch 

Lolek: The Boy Who Became Pope John Paul II by Mary Hramiec Hoffman 

The Story of Saint John Paul II: A Boy Who Became Pope by Fabiola Garza

 

What are we missing?! Add to our list in the comments below!

 

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Telling the Story of Salvation History as lived through Sacred Scripture is one of the most fantastic ways we can capture the holy imaginations of our children. An added layer of of illustration comes through picture books about the Bible. 

Looking for solid Catholic children's Bibles? Check out this post.

Picture Books about the Bible

Many authors throughout the years have presented Bible stories through sketches and stories, paintings and prose. We've gathered some of our favorites below, broken into the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament

Creation + the Fall

Creation by Gennady Spirin

Paradise by Fiona French

The End of the Fiery Sword by Maura Roan McKeegan

Noah's Ark

Noah's Ark by Peter Spier

Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney

The Tower of Babel

The Tower of Babel by William Wiesner 

The Patriarchs

Sarah Laughs by Jacqueline Jules Moses + the Exodus

Jacob and Esau by Mary Auld

Joseph by Brian Wildsmith

The Coat of Many Colors by Jenny Koralek

Benjamin and the Silver Goblet by Jacqueline Jules

Moses + the Exodus

Moses by Margaret Hodges

Moses: The Long Road to Freedom by Ann Keay Beneduce

Exodus by Brian Wildsmith

The Prophets

Jonah and the Whale by Rosemary Lanning

The Book of Jonah by Peter Spier

Into the Sea, Out of the Tomb by Maura Roan McKeegan

Daniel and the Lord of the Lions by Gloria Jean Pinkney

The Story of the Call of Samuel by Bryn J. Brock and Karin A. Childs

The Story of Ruth by Maxine Rose Schur 

The Angel & the Donkey by Katherine Paterson 

Kings + Queens

David and Goliath by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers

The Lord is My Shepherd by Gennady Spirin

The Wisest Man in the World: A Legend of Ancient Israel by Benjamin ElkinNew Testament

To Everything There is a Season by Diane and Leo Dillon

Kings and Queens of the Bible by Mary Hoffman

Queen Esther Saves Her People by Rita Golden Gelman 

The Story of Esther by Eric A. Kimmel

New Testament

Mary by Brian Wildsmith

St. Joseph's Story by Geraldine Guadagno

Jesus by Brian Wildsmith

The Twelve Apostles by Marianna Mayer

St. Peter's Story by Marion Thomas

The Miracles of Jesus by Tomie dePaola

Loaves and Fishes by Helen Caswell

The Parables

The Parables of Jesus by Tomie dePaola

Parable of the Good Samaritan by Helen Caswell

Parable of the Vineyard by Helen Caswell

Parable of the Sower by Helen Caswell

Parable of the Bridesmaids by Helen Caswell

The Paschal Mystery

The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith

The Way of the Cross by Inos Biffi

The Thornbush by Michael Laughlin

Easter by Fiona French

 

 

Do you or your children have favorite children's books about the Bible? Let us know in the comments! 

 

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April showers bring May flowers! With Easter and warm weather just around the corner, 'spring' into spring with these Catholic picture books for April! This month celebrates Saints such as Saint Bernadette and Saint George.

 

Catholic Picture Books for April

 

This I Know by Clay Anderson

Based on the beloved children's song Jesus Loves Me, this book has playful rhymes and colorful illustrations that your children will love.

 

Saint Bernadette and the Miracle of Lourdes by Demi

Packed full of beautiful illustrations, this book serves as an excellent introduction to the life of Saint Bernadette.

 

'Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys Nellist

"'Twas the morning of Easter, before the sun rose, Two guards on a hillside were trying to doze. Now Jesus had died, only three days before, A huge stone was in place, sealed over the door." Written with a catchy rhythm, 'Twas the Morning of Easter is the perfect Easter basket gift.

 

God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren

This board book is a sweet read while still providing thoughtful insight. Follow Papa Bear and Little Bear as they discuss Easter.

 

Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges

Saint George and the Dragon is a Caldecott Medal Winner and on top of that an altogether beautiful read.

 

Cloud of Witnesses: A Child's First Book of Saints by Katie Warner

With simple, short quotes from each saint and an illustration to accompany it, Cloud of Witnesses is the perfect book for introducing saints to littles.

 

Queen Esther by Tomie dePaola

This book tells of a Jewish queen who not only loved her people and the Lord but stood by her Faith in times of distress.

 

Pascual and the Kitchen Angels by Tomie dePaola

Pascual, patron saint of kitchens, would not cook. But he trusted in the Lord and when he prayed, the angels cooked.

 

That Grand Easter Day! by Jill Roman Lord

That Grand Easter Day! takes us to that day Mary came to the tomb and Jesus was nowhere to be seen.

 

Seven Clues: A Catholic Treasure Hunt by Scott Hahn and Maura Roan McKeegan

Written by renowned author Scott Hahn and children's author Maura McKeegan, Seven Clues follows three children on their treasure hunt that aids in deepening their Catholic Faith. A great read during Sacraments season!

 

Bernadette: The Little Girl from Lourdes by Sophie Maraval-Hutin 

Born in France, Bernadette was a young girl who had a miraculous encounter with Our Lady of Lourdes. 

 

Saint George and the Dragon by Jim Forest 

Saint George was one of the first martyrs of the early Church. He is usually regarded as almost a mythical man. Jim Forest writes of the legend of Saint George, a brave Christian soldier who staunchly defends the princess and the villagers, while also addressing the symbolism behind the legend. 

 

What are YOUR favorite picture books for the Easter season? Drop in the comments! 

 

 

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The temperature drops and we reluctantly put on our puffer coats. Hot chocolate and blazing fires are soon to be a staple in the daily routine. Below we will feature some of our favorite Catholic picture books for December! Celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmas with these delightful picture books. Continue reading

With spring creeping close and Lent beginning, March features feast days such as Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Saint Katharine Drexel, and Saint Patrick. Lent is a great season to slow down and turn our hearts and minds toward the Lord. Reading picture books as a family is a great way to do that.

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It’s still cold outside, with a few warm days popping up to remind us spring will come again. February features feast days such as Our Lady of Lourdes, Saint Scholastica and Saint Valentine. Cuddle close with these Catholic picture books for February! Continue reading

Settling in for the next few months of cold weather is no joke! During those long, cold days, there is nothing better than a warm blanket, fuzzy socks, and some Catholic picture books for January! Continue reading

November begins with the Solemnity of All Saints. The air is chilly, puffer coats are on the horizon, and soup becomes a staple meal in our diets. This is the perfect time of year to curl up with a blanket and a picture book! And November holds possibilities for many lovely Catholic picture books. Continue reading