Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
As I was preparing for this week's feast days, I pulled out a favorite little saints picture book of mine - Boys Saints for Little Ones by homeschool mom and authro Kimberly Fries of My Little Nazareth - since it contains two of this week's saints:
St. Thomas Aquinas
St. John Bosco
I also went to share an image of a review I thought I had written about the book on Facebook to remind others who have it to pull it out this week and to suggest to those who don't that they consider adding it to their collection.
Sadly, when I went to do this, I realized I had never finished writing and posting a review of the book after author Kimberly Fries so kindly sent me it for review.
What?!
I was quite upset with myself, because I love author Kimberly Fries and illustrator Sue Kouma Johnson's work and did not mean to be so long in sharing it about it.
So, with no further ado, let me set the record straight: Boy Saints for Little Ones is one fabulous little saint book that is perfect for more than just little ones!
Why do I say this? Because my children are now 9, 12, and 14, and I find myself pulling out Boys Saints for Little Ones often.
What I Love About Boy Saints for Little Ones
Boys Saints for Little Ones provides a simple, beautiful introduction to (or review of) 12 inspiring male saints through a short biography, quote, vibrant illustration, and explanation of symbols for each saint.
Although the brief biographies in Boys Saints for Little Ones are written simply, they are not oversimplified. Rather, they are easy, short explanations that key into things children can grasp, retain, and relate to, such dreaming of becoming a knight, helping others, persevering through hard things, and more.
Not too detailed nor esoteric, nor too simplistic and dull, I have found the short biographies in Boys Saints for Little Ones perfect for reading to little ones who visit, offering my dyslexic child to read for practice, and reading to all ages when celebrating saint days.
The quotes at the end of each biography are well-chosen, such as "The greatest kindness one can render to any man is leading him to truth." - St. Augustine. These quotes can be used for memory work, copywork, or just to inspire!
Likewise, the bright and engaging painted illustrations in the book can inspire children to remember things about the saints and to connect with Catholic art.
Each illustration contains a special symbol that children can associate with the saints, such as the traditional symbols of St. Francis of Assisi's stigmata and the dragon that St. George slays, or the original symbols of a light-blue halo around St. John Bosco's head and musical notes surrounding St. Gregory. These symbols can help children recall details about the saints while also inspiring them to look for the rich symbolism inherit in other Catholic art.
For a 30-page book meant for little ones, Boys Saints for Little Ones packs in enough to make the book in purpose as children grow - first engaging with bright illustrations, then inspiring with well-written text, then offering opportunities for copywork, memory, and art study. Plus, since the book is slender and has full-page illustrations, it is ideal for slipping into a bag to bring to saint day celebrations where it can be read aloud and then decorate a feast day table!
My Children's Thoughts
Each of my children has read Boys Saints for Little Ones on their own and has revisited the book when we have used it on feast days.
Some of the things my children said when I asked them about the book are:
Obviously, kids appreciate this book!
Learn More
Boys Saints for Little Ones is available on Amazon for $12.99.
Since the book contains short biographies of 12 saints, it makes a perfect read on their feast days. A listing of each saint's feast day is the only thing I think the book lacks, so I will add one here for easy reference:
Sadly, when I went to do this, I realized I had never finished writing and posting a review of the book after author Kimberly Fries so kindly sent me it for review.
What?!
I was quite upset with myself, because I love author Kimberly Fries and illustrator Sue Kouma Johnson's work and did not mean to be so long in sharing it about it.
So, with no further ado, let me set the record straight: Boy Saints for Little Ones is one fabulous little saint book that is perfect for more than just little ones!
Why do I say this? Because my children are now 9, 12, and 14, and I find myself pulling out Boys Saints for Little Ones often.
What I Love About Boy Saints for Little Ones
Boys Saints for Little Ones provides a simple, beautiful introduction to (or review of) 12 inspiring male saints through a short biography, quote, vibrant illustration, and explanation of symbols for each saint.
Although the brief biographies in Boys Saints for Little Ones are written simply, they are not oversimplified. Rather, they are easy, short explanations that key into things children can grasp, retain, and relate to, such dreaming of becoming a knight, helping others, persevering through hard things, and more.
Not too detailed nor esoteric, nor too simplistic and dull, I have found the short biographies in Boys Saints for Little Ones perfect for reading to little ones who visit, offering my dyslexic child to read for practice, and reading to all ages when celebrating saint days.
The quotes at the end of each biography are well-chosen, such as "The greatest kindness one can render to any man is leading him to truth." - St. Augustine. These quotes can be used for memory work, copywork, or just to inspire!
Likewise, the bright and engaging painted illustrations in the book can inspire children to remember things about the saints and to connect with Catholic art.
Each illustration contains a special symbol that children can associate with the saints, such as the traditional symbols of St. Francis of Assisi's stigmata and the dragon that St. George slays, or the original symbols of a light-blue halo around St. John Bosco's head and musical notes surrounding St. Gregory. These symbols can help children recall details about the saints while also inspiring them to look for the rich symbolism inherit in other Catholic art.
For a 30-page book meant for little ones, Boys Saints for Little Ones packs in enough to make the book in purpose as children grow - first engaging with bright illustrations, then inspiring with well-written text, then offering opportunities for copywork, memory, and art study. Plus, since the book is slender and has full-page illustrations, it is ideal for slipping into a bag to bring to saint day celebrations where it can be read aloud and then decorate a feast day table!
My Children's Thoughts
Each of my children has read Boys Saints for Little Ones on their own and has revisited the book when we have used it on feast days.
Some of the things my children said when I asked them about the book are:
"I like how they just have a short blurb about each saint - not a whole, long, big story - just enough to get you interested."
"I really like how every saint has an illustration and how the illustrations are big and painted. Some of them I really like, such as the one on the cover and the St. Thomas Aquinas one."
"I like the simpleness of the illustrations, but how good they look, too with the color schemes."
"I also like how they give a quote for each saint."
"I also like how it has some of the more popular saints - like St. Patrick and St. Francis of Assisi - and some less popular saints like St. Gregory."
"My favorite part was about St. George."
"They tell about the symbols and colors in the paintings to help you search for meaning. What a great way to engage younger children."
"The amount of white space on the page and large font make it easy to read."
"I like the big print. It helps you read."
Obviously, kids appreciate this book!
Learn More
Boys Saints for Little Ones is available on Amazon for $12.99.
Since the book contains short biographies of 12 saints, it makes a perfect read on their feast days. A listing of each saint's feast day is the only thing I think the book lacks, so I will add one here for easy reference:
- St. Thomas Aquinas - January 28
- St. John Bosco - January 31
- St. George - April 23
- St. Patrick - March 17
- St. Ignatius - July 31
- St. John Vianney - August 4
- St. Maximilian - August 14
- St. Augustine - August 28
- St. Gregory - September 3
- St. Pio - September 23
- Blessed (now Saint) John Henry Newman - September 24
- St. Francis of Assisi - October 4
- All Saints Day, since you could base a game on each saint in the book or use the symbol ideas to create easy and unique costumes.
- copywork, since there is a quote at the end of each biography.
- practice with narration. The biographies are short and can provide brief, pointed practice with listening then narrating details back.
- writing. Older children can note how the author picked and chose interesting, relatable, and/or inspirational details to share about each saint's life and can use the examples of the biographies in the book when writing biographies of their own.
- seeking inspiration for art projects. The paintings in the book are vibrant and text boxes draw attention to symbolism in art. These could inspire children to create their own Catholic artworks rich in symbolism.
- introducing or reviewing saints. Since the biographies are brief, they can quickly spark further research and/or act as a catalyst for children to remember more that they have previously learned about the saints.
- reading practice. One of my children has dyslexia and appreciated the large font, ample white space, and simple language used in this book which made reading this book easier than reading some others.
- gift giving. Simple, beautiful, and inspiring, Boys Saints for Little Ones would make a wonderful gift for Baptism, First Holy Communion, Christmas, or Easter.
Boys Saints for Little Ones certainly can inspire children to deepen their faith and follow in the footsteps of the saints!
My Little Nazareth publishes a host of other wonderful faith-focused books, too, including plenty more gems for little (and bigger!) ones and a prayer book for women.
Watch the book trailer on YouTube:
I encourage you to check out there ever-expanding line of Catholic books!
