While I don't want this to become a source of stress for anyone (as I imagine some are still pretty overwhelmed/swamped, especially if you have a health care worker in the family), I thought some of our First Communion families (and really, other families too) might like some suggestion for lovely books (especially picture books) to help inspire their children with a love for and confidence in God during this time of waiting. It might also be a good opportunity to support some artists, writers and publishers who are doing good work for the Kingdom.
Note: Although I recommend supporting local businesses as much as you are able, Amazon is a really helpful supplier at this time. I have included links to help you find particular versions of books that don't necessarily show up in simple searches. We would be most grateful if you decided to make Amazon purchases through Amazon Smile directed towards "St. Charles Parish and School."
The Holy Bible
I regularly read and discuss stories from the Bible with the 2nd graders from both our school and Child Formation programs. They really enjoy this and are so impressed with and fascinated by a real Bible. I would recommend the New American Bible Revised Edition, because it will sound most like what they will hear in Church.
The New American Bible St. Joseph Edition (hardcover) is quite lovely, has markings for each Book of the Bible on the side and is VERY reasonably priced. These are the ones we give to the 5th graders as part of their Child Formation studies, but 2nd grade is not too young to own their very own Bible.
The Illustrated Gospel for Children by Jean-Francois Kieffer and Christine Ponsard
The Illustrated Acts of the Apostles for Children by Jean-Francois Kieffer and Christine Ponsard
Even alongside some reading from a real Holy Bible, these comic-style illustrated picture books are a nice way to gain greater familiarity with the stories and interest in the person of Jesus and his Apostles. One way to help your children get more interested in a Bible story is to read it first from one of these books and then re-read the story from the real Bible afterwards. (References from the Bible are thoughtfully included at the beginning of each story.)
God the Father's Loving Plan by Jean Ann Sharpe
This is a beautifully illustrated overview of the story of Salvation History. So simple that they make it in a board book format as well as a softcover format (I recommend the latter), this has plenty of material for an adult to meditate on as well. This would be a particularly lovely book for a First Communicant to enjoy with their parents.
While most of the book recommendations are available from major booksellers such as Amazon, this one's a better deal directly from the publisher, Bethlehem Books. (Remember to order a paperback rather than a board book version.)
Little Acts of Grace by Rosemarie Gortler and Donna Piscitelli
This is a very sweet book which explains different ways that we can show our love and reverence for God. We did use this in the classroom, so you can show the picture to your child to see if they are interested in re-reading it or reading more of it.
Look and Be Grateful by Tomie dePaola
This is simple and lovely picture book that illustrates the importance of taking time to pay attention to and be grateful for God's gifts. It is perhaps just simple enough that it would be ideal for a First Communicant to read and enjoy with a younger sibling.
Miracles of Jesus by Tomie dePaola
This lovely classic picture book from perhaps the greatest Catholic picture book author of all time, offers a page-long story of many of Jesus' beautiful miracles from the Bible. This is another book that we use in our Child Formation classes, so your child may already be familiar with it.
When I Make Silence by Aline Wolfe
This a lovely and simple little picture book about being quite and enjoying the silence. While not directly religious, I have found it to be a beautiful introduction to the importance of being quiet sometimes, especially so that we are able to listen to God in our hearts. I have read this with all of our 2nd grade classes (and a few other besides) and found that the children really enjoyed it. It works really well with the very short and simple Bible verse, Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God!"
Please note that this book is best purchased from the publisher, Montessori Services.
The children also really enjoy a simple song version of this Bible verse that I learned from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:
Note: Although I recommend supporting local businesses as much as you are able, Amazon is a really helpful supplier at this time. I have included links to help you find particular versions of books that don't necessarily show up in simple searches. We would be most grateful if you decided to make Amazon purchases through Amazon Smile directed towards "St. Charles Parish and School."
Book Suggestions:
I regularly read and discuss stories from the Bible with the 2nd graders from both our school and Child Formation programs. They really enjoy this and are so impressed with and fascinated by a real Bible. I would recommend the New American Bible Revised Edition, because it will sound most like what they will hear in Church.
The New American Bible St. Joseph Edition (hardcover) is quite lovely, has markings for each Book of the Bible on the side and is VERY reasonably priced. These are the ones we give to the 5th graders as part of their Child Formation studies, but 2nd grade is not too young to own their very own Bible.
The Illustrated Gospel for Children by Jean-Francois Kieffer and Christine Ponsard
The Illustrated Acts of the Apostles for Children by Jean-Francois Kieffer and Christine Ponsard
Even alongside some reading from a real Holy Bible, these comic-style illustrated picture books are a nice way to gain greater familiarity with the stories and interest in the person of Jesus and his Apostles. One way to help your children get more interested in a Bible story is to read it first from one of these books and then re-read the story from the real Bible afterwards. (References from the Bible are thoughtfully included at the beginning of each story.)
This is a beautifully illustrated overview of the story of Salvation History. So simple that they make it in a board book format as well as a softcover format (I recommend the latter), this has plenty of material for an adult to meditate on as well. This would be a particularly lovely book for a First Communicant to enjoy with their parents.
While most of the book recommendations are available from major booksellers such as Amazon, this one's a better deal directly from the publisher, Bethlehem Books. (Remember to order a paperback rather than a board book version.)
This is a very sweet book which explains different ways that we can show our love and reverence for God. We did use this in the classroom, so you can show the picture to your child to see if they are interested in re-reading it or reading more of it.
This is simple and lovely picture book that illustrates the importance of taking time to pay attention to and be grateful for God's gifts. It is perhaps just simple enough that it would be ideal for a First Communicant to read and enjoy with a younger sibling.
This lovely classic picture book from perhaps the greatest Catholic picture book author of all time, offers a page-long story of many of Jesus' beautiful miracles from the Bible. This is another book that we use in our Child Formation classes, so your child may already be familiar with it.
This a lovely and simple little picture book about being quite and enjoying the silence. While not directly religious, I have found it to be a beautiful introduction to the importance of being quiet sometimes, especially so that we are able to listen to God in our hearts. I have read this with all of our 2nd grade classes (and a few other besides) and found that the children really enjoyed it. It works really well with the very short and simple Bible verse, Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God!"
Please note that this book is best purchased from the publisher, Montessori Services.
The children also really enjoy a simple song version of this Bible verse that I learned from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:
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