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In This House of Brede

Book cover: 'In This House of Brede'
Copyright: 
1975
Publisher: 
VCI Home Video
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
This film, originally made for British television, is based on the novel In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. It is an admirable portrayal of a woman entering a cloistered Benedictine Abbey relatively late in life and how she learns to love all - the lovable and the "unlovable" for the sake of Christ. While the glimpses of the outside world (of the 1970s) are somewhat dated in appearance - clothing, hairstyles, etc. - this actually enhances the concept of the timelessness of the religious life and of the Church (this is further highlighted by the beautiful Gregorian chant music heard throughout the film). The story is beautiful, but a little complex, and will probably be best appreciated by teens and adults.

Additional notes: 

95 min., Color, Starring Diana Rigg

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
6-23-03

In This Sign Your Shall Conquer

Copyright: 
1998
Publisher: 
Regina Martyrum
Subject(s): 
Setting: 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
The story of Constantine, the first Christian emperor and his mother, Saint Helen, who found the true cross, is presented in an audio drama in the fashion of old-time radio dramas. It includes a full cast and narrator, appropriate music and sound effects. Our family really enjoyed this story, even down to my 3 and 1/2 year old son, who now asks for Constantine by name. The story contains a nice balance of historical information, action and spiritual lessons.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

85 minutes

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Incredible Comparisons

Book cover: 'Incredible Comparisons'
Author(s): 
Russell Ash
Number of pages: 
64 pages
Copyright: 
1996
Publisher: 
Dorling Kindersley
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

This picture book designed for "big kids" gives side-by-side comparisons according to length, height, area, life-span, speed, etc. of all kinds of things - animals, mountains, countries, modes of transportation, man-made structures and much more.

Segments of the book include: "On the Surface" (compares land-size of various countries, islands, different uses of land), "Into the Earth" (canyon depths, cave lengths and depths, etc.), "Going into Space" (compares power and speeds of rockets vs. airplanes, comet tail size comparison with various planets, etc.), "The Solar System" (compares planet sizes and distances, etc.), "Great Lengths" (compares lenghts of airplanes, highways, major rivers, telecommunications cables, etc.). Other chapters cover animal speeds, ladn and water speeds, human population etc. Does include some environmental and politically correct content. The segment on human population was much better than I expected. To give a sampling.... "A population explosion has seen the number of people in the world more than triple since 1900 - from less than 2,000,000,000 to close to 6,000,000,000. Each day, enough people to fill the largest stadium in the modern world are added to the total. Thankfully, the world is a very big place. All the people in the world today could actually fit, standing shoulder to shoulder, on the small Indonesian island of Bali."

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-4-01

Initiation

Author(s): 
Robert Hugh Benson
Publisher: 
Lepanto Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 
Set in aristocratic England of the late 19th century, this novel by a convert to Catholicism explores the concept of our participation in the Atonement. Young Sir Nevill Fanning is thoughtlessly and unconsciously pagan (though outwardly Catholic) and heir to his dear Aunt Ann's estate. Early on, he falls in love with a Protestant, and this raises various issues both within his aunt and within himself. A Mr. Morpeth represents the holiness and wisdom of the Church as Nevill and Ann work out their salvation.

The novel is at once a profound explanation and touching portrayal of intercessory prayer and atoning suffering, using the unique idiom of the novel, in which the author can create and then unfold an entire cast of characters. Psychological insights and matters of spiritual growth are magnified and clarified in the lens of story. For various reasons, I have recently read a lot of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, and it is all the more interesting to enter into an English countryside world not too far removed from theirs in place or time, but very much removed in theological reach.

It would have been helpful if the publishers had included a table of contents. Several striking passages proved very hard to relocate. There is an extraordinarily sweet and insightful passage about people who see little "signs" in various things. (See Book 2, chapter V, section IV, or, page 261) Even the first passage about initiation, a thoughtful reflection on the difference between those who have come to accept what happens and those who have not, is very hard to find. It's on page 71, and it is clearly the prologue to the interior substance of the story.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

This book was donated for review by Lepanto Press

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-26-01

Insects

Biggest! Littlest!
Book cover: Insects: Biggest! Littlest!
Author(s): 
Sandra Markle
Illustrator(s): 
Simon Pollard (photographer)
Copyright: 
2009
ISBN: 
9781590785126
Publisher: 
Boyds Mills Press
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

We have been spending hours in the garden where insects abound, and this new friendly title comes to entertain and inform my summer readers. The photos are very interesting and our 10 yr. old enjoyed reading about the reasons behind the dimensions of each of the unusually sized insects. The amount of information is juicy enough but also little enough to make this light and breezy summer reading!

Have fun learning about these insects: the most numerous animals on earth!

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
July 03, 2009

Insects do the Strangest Things

Book cover: Insects do the Strangest Things
Author(s): 
Leonora and Arthur Hornblow
Illustrator(s): 
Michael K. Frith
Number of pages: 
60 pages
Copyright: 
1968
ISBN: 
9780394800721
Publisher: 
Random House Step-Up Books
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Interesting and informative stories of the strange but fascinating behavior of various types of insects. The pictures are of the somewhat cheezy 60s variety, but the text is quite good and written at approximately a second grade level.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-4-01

Into Deep Eternity

An introduction to Emily Dickinson
Book cover: 'Into Deep Eternity: An introduction to Emily Dickinson'
Author(s): 
Martha O'Keefe
Number of pages: 
111 pages
Copyright: 
2001
Publisher: 
Hedge School
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
7-1-03

It's a Mystery! The Holy Trinity

A Catholic Children's Retreat
Book cover: 'It's a Mystery! The Holy Trinity: A Catholic Children's Retreat'
Author(s): 
Sandra Garant
Number of pages: 
170 pages
Copyright: 
2002
Publisher: 
Catholic Heritage Curricula
Binding: 
Loose-leaf (binder-ready)
Review: 
"Retreats are time set aside for study, prayer, activities, and discussion about God and His Church. Children can benefit from retreats as much as adults. Jesus would occasionally leave His followers and retreat to the desert or a mountaintop. Even He felt the need to get away from the world for a while." (from the Introduction)

This extensive resource is designed to be a Catholic answer to the Vacation Bible Schools offered by various churches in the summertime. As Catholics, we recognize Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition as essential elements to our faith. In this specific subject of the Holy Trinity, we cannot rely only on Sacred Scripture since the Bible never explicitly mentions the dogma of the Holy Trinity.

It's a Mystery! is a well organized retreat resource that provides very simple preparation for a rewarding retreat for one or more families. The retreat could be offered as a retreat/vacation week as a break from the regular school routine, as a summer project or adjusted for one-day mini-retreat. This program includes a complete outline for a week-long retreat centering on the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Activities are generally organized into three different age groups (ages 5-7, 8-11 and 12-15). It includes general supply lists, sample invitations, overviews, song sheets, etc. as well as extensive day-by-day schedules and materials. Each day's section includes an "advanced preparation" checklist, prayers, discussion/lesson outlines, craft ideas, memory work, recipes for snacks, opening and closing suggestions and more. The lessons and memory work include quotes and readings from the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a story of St. Parick and other prayers and hymns.

The huge appendix includes many photocopyable sheets, including: prayers, hymns, word search, maze, poems, art project templates, cooperative games, certificate of completion and lots more.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

This title was donated for review by Catholic Heritage Curricula.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-13-03

It's a Mystery! The Secret Garden

Book cover: 'It's a Mystery! The Secret Garden'
Author(s): 
Sandra Garant
Number of pages: 
104 pages
Copyright: 
2004
Publisher: 
Catholic Heritage Curricula
Binding: 
Other
Subject(s): 
Review: 

It's a Mystery! It's a Hit! Summer vacation will never be the same. Traditionally, Vacation Bible School curricula are either strongly Protestant or only vaguely Christian. Now there is an alternative that is not only Catholic but also lots of fun for everyone.

The Secret Garden is the third in a series of weeklong retreats for Catholic children. The program is designed for use as a parish summer program or a family-based unit study. It could be completed at any time of the year, but this one would be especially nice in warmer weather because of the garden theme and outdoor activities. This retreat introduces Catholic Marian dogma and focuses on developing the virtues, especially that of patience.

Both the teacher's guide and the student's appendix feature simple black-and-white line drawings. Don't let the non-glitzy presentation fool you; this program has excellent, solid content. Materials for the retreat leader include advertising and organizing suggestions as well as specific teaching points and background information. Points of controversy, a history of Marian dogmas, and apologetic information are presented. Fresh and original game and craft ideas that are easy to implement are described in each day's lesson. These memorable activities will appeal to both boys and girls. Indoor and outdoor games and activities keep this physically active program moving along each day.

Advance preparation is required. Materials are comparatively inexpensive to purchase, and the snack suggestions are very simple.

Daily lesson plans for 5 one-half day sessions follow a similar pattern. The day begins with prayer and continues with a lesson time, activity and game time, lesson on patience, another game or activity, work on Mary garden project, snack, a game or activity, and the closing. A party is suggested for the final day to showcase the week’s projects. Separate, but related, plans are included for preschool (ages 2-5) and elementary (ages 5-12) groups, with some suggestions for teens. When an activity is best suited for a large group, suggestions are made for a smaller group activity. We were very successful in using The Secret Garden with a group of seven children under age 12, and we are anxiously awaiting another installment in the It's a Mystery series.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Binding details: Teacher's Guide (52 pages combbound) + Loose-leaf appendix (52 pages)

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
3-11-06

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