Alicia Van Hecke

Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa

DVD cover: Nicholas, the Boy who Became Santa

Published by CCC Animated Video
This story of St. Nicholas is very appealing for little ones and portrays him as an excellent example of charity and love for the poor. If you're trying to encourage a more religious understanding of Santa Claus (which is Dutch for Saint Nicholas), I recommend this video.

Updated March 2024: This 30-minute video is now available on a trilingual English / Spanish / French DVD.

A Map of Life

Book cover: A Map of Life
Author(s): 
Frank Sheed

This is a really beautiful little book about morality and the Catholic Faith. It would make a great supplement for high school age or excellent reading for an adult. It's not too difficult to understand, but also interesting and really makes you think. The author has this to say about the purpose of this book:

New Catholic Picture Bible

Book cover: 'New Catholic Picture Bible'
Author(s): 
Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, S.V.D.

Father Lovasik includes many more stories in this work than Tomie de Paola's work. The pictures are more traditional (although not fine art), yet the stories are still short enough to make this a good choice for preschoolers as well. He explains parts of the Bible in light of our Catholic tradition within the story. For example, in the story "Jesus Appears to the Apostles" Fr. Lovasik explains what Jesus said to the apostles with the following quote:

Golden Children's Bible

Book cover: Golden Children's Bible
Author(s): 
Golden Books
Illustrator(s): 
Jose Miralles

I've come to understand why Laura Berquist recommends this bible for Kindergarten age children. It is quite faithful to the original stories and attempts nothing beyond telling the story. The colorful pictures are very intriguing to children and it provides a good means for familiarizing children with the Bible's basic stories. The full color pictures throughout are very nicely done and make it easier for young children to find particular stories on their own.

God's Will Be Done/The Wall

Book cover: 'God's Will Be Done/The Wall'
Author(s): 
Kim Hohman
Bruce Carroll
God's Will Be Done is the story of Jonah and the Whale and The Wall is the story of the Fall of Jericho. Both Bible stories are presented as audio dramas, performed with full casts, music and sound effects. The shorter length and simpler dialogue of these in particular make them especially appealing to younger children.

The Medicine of God

Book cover: 'The Medicine of God'
Author(s): 
Bruce Carroll
The Medicine of God is an audio drama (on one cassette) in the style of old-time radio shows - with full cast, music and sound effects. This is the biblical story of Tobit, an upright man who trusted in God and the adventures of his son, Tobias, who was led by a stranger - who turned out to be St. Raphael the Archangel - to a new city and a new life. There is a theme of Divine Providence and the need to trust in God that runs throughout the story.

Strengthened by God/The Great Deluge

Book cover: 'Strengthened by God/The Great Deluge'
Author(s): 
Bruce Carroll
Kim Hohman
Strengthened by God is the story of David and Goliath and The Great Deluge is the story of Noah's Ark. Like the other RMP tapes, these are "audio dramas" - dramatic presentations of the stories with full casts, sound effects and music. They really make the Bible stories come alive. The Great Deluge is probably a bit too graphic for small children (the narrator makes mention of people seeing dead bodies in the rivers and the sound effects includes crying and wailing noises).

Tomie de Paola's Book of Bible Stories

Book cover: Tomie de Paola's Book of Bible Stories
Author(s): 
Tomie dePaola
Illustrator(s): 
Tomie De Paola

Tomie de Paola is a unique illustrator with artwork in a woodcut or icon-like style (I can't decide which.) I thought his artwork was more suited to The Lady of Guadalupe but I like the content of his Bible stories and appreciate the "Index of Bible Text" in the back. This would be a suitable book for acquainting preschoolers with the major stories of the Bible.

The Miracles of Jesus

Book cover: The Miracles of Jesus (dePaola)
Author(s): 
Tomie dePaola

This book is a beautiful way to help your children learn to know and love Jesus. With many simple pictures (but nicely done) and just enough details of the story, Tomie de Paola relates how Jesus helped others while he was on earth. Stories include: The Wedding at Cana, The Catch of Fishes, The Calming of the Storm, The Loaves and The Fishes, Jesus Walks on the Water, The Paralyzed Man, The Centurion's Servant, Jesus Heals the Lepers and The Raising of Lazarus. (13 stories altogether) My children love to hear about how good Jesus is and how much he loves them.

The Parables of Jesus

Book cover: The Parables of Jesus
Author(s): 
Tomie dePaola

In a similar manner to The Miracles of Jesus, Tomie de Paola presents seventeen of Jesus' parables. This book makes them very accessible to small children and may even be the start of some interesting little discussions with your children about why Jesus told these stories. Some of the text of the parables is very brief.
 

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