Association Of Catholic Bloggers

As the new school year gets underway, this is the time of year when transitions for children can be unsettling. What results? A lack of patience on everyone’s part. Everyone is looking for their new “norm” and it can’t come fast enough. For children, especially, finding patience can seem impossible. Whether you have moved to a new home, in the same school district, or to a totally new town, change can be difficult for children. Everything they know is in a state of upheaval. Moving to a new town means going to a new school and making new friends. To help children navigate transition more easily, I wrote a children’s book for ages 6-8, to help them through this process. The story is set at the beginning of the new school year. Faith, the oldest of the three sisters is heading into second grade in a new town and a new school. She doesn’t know any of her new classmates, but they all seem to know each other. This makes Faith feel uncomfortably like an outsider. The story line has a...

Molly McBride and the Purple Habit , by Jean Schoonover-Egolf is the first in a series of charming books about a five-year-old girl, named Molly McBride. Molly loves imitating the Children of Mary Sisters, by wearing their purple habit, specially crafted, for her, by her mom. She loves it so much, that she wants to wear it to her big sister’s First Communion! Why can’t she, when the Children of Mary Sisters will be there, and they will be wearing their purple habits. Oh, can you imagine the havoc that would ensue in dealing with that on such a busy morning? You’ll need to read the story to see whether Molly gets her way. Molly McBride – the Character The character of Molly is strong in her faith in Jesus. At five years-old, Molly is well aware of who Jesus is, and what type of relationship she wants to have with Him throughout her life. I love this character, who comes across the page, filled with conviction! Molly McBride is a great role model for any child learning to grow in...

Love Letters from God, Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart , by Glenys Nellist is endearing, wonderful, chocked filled with virtue, and beautifully illustrated. Nellist shares with us fourteen stories from the Bible, centered on heroic females, highlighting their good traits. She takes us from the Old Testament, through to the New Testament; giving us a different story about each protagonist, salient Bible quotes, and most importantly, personalized letters from God, addressed to your child (with lift the flap notes). Love Letters from God Make for Sweet Dreams! Each of the fourteen tales make for excellent bedtime stories to read to your child; sending them into slumber with heroic females to dream about. Nellist starts with... Read more...

I recently attended the National Marketing Network Trade Show / Catholic Writers Guild Conference in Chicago this summer. At the tradeshow/conference, we Guild members got to meet many authors and receive free autographed books! I had a great time. Yet, the most memorable moment for me occurred as I traversed through the Trade Show booths.  I came across a table with a certain children’s book on it: Journey to the Cross . I said to myself, “ Hey, that’s the book that won in my category at the National Indie Excellence Awards contest this year! ” Okay, now I must see what’s so special about this book that it beat out my own book in the contest (mine was named a finalist). What occurred next was beyond awesome. I stepped up to the table... Read more...

Let me introduce you to Lexie Goodwin from Lexie’s Adventure in Kenya – Love is Patient , written by Susan G. Mathis, and illustrated by April Stark. Love is Patient is the first installment in a series of children’s books that Mathis and Stark plan to produce based upon 1 Corinthians 13. This intended series uses a very interesting approach in teaching children, not only about the facets of love, but also about interacting with others, as well as about living in another part of the world. Lexie’s parents visit missionaries and assist them in their efforts. They bring their children, Lexie and Cori along for the adventure. In Love is Patient , Mathis and Stark address bullying,... Read more...

With excitement, I share some great news with all of you! Please celebrate with me! Adventures of Faith, Hope, and Charity – Finding Patience , received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval. The Guild awards this honor to literature that embodies and reinforces teachings of the Catholic Church. The Guild’s Seal of Approval provides retailers, and the public, with assurance that what they purchase contains quality. Seal of Approval books are known for their Catholicity and editorial quality. Each submission goes through much scrutiny. The Guild prides itself in only recommending those books that positively add to the spiritual life of the reader, in accordance with Catholic teaching. Therefore, I am humbled and honored that Adventures of Faith, Hope, and Charity: Finding Patience now counts among what the Guild considers quality, Catholic literature. FREE Giveaway – Kindle Version   Read more...

In Adventures of Faith, Hope, and Charity: Finding Patience , Mr. Luke Gabriel lives next door to his new neighbors, the Livingstone family. He is retired from corporate life, and a widower. To fill his spare time these days, he breeds Westminster Terriers. Why, you might ask? Because the loss of his dear wife left such a hole, that he attempts to fill that hole with the unconditional love from puppies. He has developed quite a passion for these dogs, and they are fun to have around an empty house. When Faith, Hope, and Charity moved in next door, Mr. Gabriel was delighted. He loved having children around. Not only did he miss his beloved wife, but he also missed... Read more... 

The Back Story to Hope's Character Hope Livingstone, and her family, had just moved into a new house, in a new town. Life was chaotic. Boxes were everywhere. Peanuts were flying out of boxes, thanks to Hope’s little sister Charity. Hope didn’t mind that it would mean that Hope would need to clean it all up. Hope thought moving was exciting! Everywhere she turned, she found a new surprise, as she explored every nook and cranny of their new house! Hope always looks at life as if it were an adventure; something to explore; treasures to find. So moving was thrilling to Hope, who possesses an optimistic nature. She approaches life with an easy-breezy style. Nothing ever really bothers her; that is, until she couldn’t find... Read more...

Adventures of Faith, Hope, and Charity: Finding Patience (The Back Story) Faith was anxious about moving to a new town. That meant a new house, new school, and new friends. Faith was shy and found it difficult to make new friends. She dreaded the move and all of the change that would ensue. Faith had very little patience. She wanted to claim her “new normal,” ASAP, for she knew that once things settled down, she would feel more comfortable about this move. Faith did not welcome change! It was all her Daddy’s fault for getting that new job. If it wasn’t for him, she would be at home in her old house, with her friends from her old school. Being eight years old stunk! If it was up to her, she would have stayed put, where she felt most comfortable. Yet, it wasn’t up to her, so... Read more...

Who is Charity Livingstone? Charity Livingstone is only three years old, but she is spunky, loyal, and determined to get what she wants. She and her family recently moved into the neighborhood, where they met their next door neighbor, Mr. Gabriel. Charity really liked him, because he raises puppies! Ever since Charity moved into her new house, she had her eye on getting a puppy, but Mama and Daddy said no, because there was too much going on with their new house. Well that wasn’t going to stop her from playing with Mr. Gabriel’s puppies. He said she could... Read more... 

Adventure it was for Faith, Hope and Charity Livingstone (my three main characters in my new book) as the girls made their debut visit at a book signing this past weekend. My husband and I had a blast meeting people from all walks of life at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church’s World Feast. The weather wasn’t very cooperative, (lots of rain) and thusly, attendance was down, but that didn’t stop the festivities. There was great food, games and entertainment for one and all – a true family entertainment experience. We had an open house for our new parish office building too! Lots going on. I was so blessed to be... Read more...

Christmas is on its way, whether you are ready for it or not! What better way to get your Christmas shopping started than with the purchase of a beautifully illustrated book about the very first Christmas morning of Christ’s birth! This lovely story, written by Catherine C. Gilmore, presents the morning of Christ’s birth from the animals point of view, that of a lamb, but also of a lion. The lamb represents the young and weak of society, and the lion represents the strong and mature; where both come together and recognize the babe as their King and true leader.… Read more...

Let the celebration begin! Join in on the fun! Celebrate the launch of my new book with me. Read to learn how to get in on the action. There is a Giveaway! Read more...

Since my children's school only assigned a grand total of eighteen books for my six kids to read over the summer, I decided to add a few more unassigned kids' books to my reading list this summer. Hah! If your local school is like ours and your kids need to read 25 books each just to complete the school year requirements, either of these two choices would be great picks. 1. Saint Nicholas and the Mouse of Myra, by Jay Stoeckl. This graphic novel is the sequel to Saint Francis and Brother Duck , which I reviewed last year . I enjoyed Stoeckl's second book even more than his first, perhaps because our family loves St. Nick so much . Read more here...

"Don't forget the poor," whispered Cardinal Gomez of Brazil to Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina at the moment of Bergoglio's election to the papacy. These words inspired the new pope to take the name Francis in honor of the saint who loved Lady Poverty. As St. Francis of Assissi's feast day approaches on October 4, now would be a wonderful time to introduce your children to the two Francises through some great new releases from Paraclete Press. 1.   St. Francis and Brother Duck , by Jay Stoeckl, is a charming presentation of the story of St. Francis of Assissi in a graphic novel format. Francis' constant companion is the fictional Brother Duck.  Read more...

  Maria Stewart is a homeschooling mother of seven. She is a graduate of Franciscan University in Steubenville where she majored in Elementary Education and Theology. Maria and Chris, her husband, are involved in the Casting Nets Ministry ( www.CastingNetsOnline.com ). They are also involved in foster care. One has to wonder how this busy woman ever found time to write her wonderful new children’s story An Omelet Fit for a King —and yet when God asked her to write it, how could she not? In the charmingly illustrated book, Maria explores different aspects of humility using the acronym E.G.G.S. A lesson she admits she learned herself while being hospitalized and relying on the love and kindness of others. An Omelet Fit for a King has been released to rave reviews and consistently ranks in the top 100 in different Amazon categories. Today it is #67in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Education > Children & Teens . Whether you are a mom looking...