Angel's Books ~ Children's Catholic Literature

It is not a moment too soon that good faith-filled juvenille fiction has hit the bookshelves.  Angel or Not? book series by Lori Diez are uplifting, unique books for third grade students and up.  These treasures highlight the lives of Angel Hennessey and her friends who attend Catholic school.   Lori Diez illustrates a lovely picture of Catholic life, for American culture that knows little about the Catholic faith and its blessings, but she also explores the reality of bullying.

Aspects of our Catholicity that readers will enjoy are Angel's loving, supportive family; her kind friends; prayer life; and her amazing teacher Sister Rita.   Children will read about how Catholic families live each day focused on what Jesus would do.  And, although the characters in Diez's books fall short of angelic behavior, because they are human, readers will discover the joy in trying.  They will also discover that prayer, Mass, family guidance, and Catholic teachings and traditions are blessings to help children and role models love Jesus and one another.

Although there are wonderful gifts associated with being Catholic, readers will also discover, through Angel or Not? books, that our heroine, Angel, is a very "normal" child.  Angel struggles with the class bully, getting a new teacher, innocent crushes and friends and family hurting.  Following her conscience, when it's tempting to do the wrong thing, is Angel's biggest struggle, which is something all children relate to.

Children growing up in Catholic families and/or attending Catholic schools will benefit from reading Mrs. Diez's books, too.  God willing, Catholic children may even be able to empathize with having a special teacher like Sister Rita.  What a breath of fresh air it is to read about a Sister who is fun, energetic and spiritual.  Anyone who has met Sisters, who teach, know that many are full of spunk and divine inspiration that is passed down to the children they teach.  Diez's characterization of Sister Rita was a literary gift that this mom could relate to, as I taught with many wonderful Sisters in Catholic schools.  I can only pray that today's Catholic children meet a "Sister Rita" in their childhood.

My nine year old is closest to the age I'd recommend Angel or Not? books.  Because Angel is a girl, he had a little difficulty understanding some of the relationships Angel acquired.  Young girls will grasp the girls' friendships well.   However, he related to the classroom bully, the Catholic traditions
Angel and her family celebrated  and Angel's brother, Anthony.  The content and vocabulary of Diez's books were perfectly matched to my son's reading abilities.

Speaking of vocabulary and content, another unique contribution Diez makes for readers is that she includes a word bank at the end of her books.  This addition enriches student's vocabulary.  For students studying their faith, a few of the words focus on the Catechism.  A mother of three, Lori Diez, also saw the importance of adding comprehension questions at the end of her books.  Finally, her grandest dream realized, Lori, contributes 75% of Angel's Books to Children's Board Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay (an organization dedicated to foster children finding forever families).

Visit www.HeartGalleryTampaBay.org to learn more about this wonderful organization that means so much to Lori and her family.

And to find out more about Angel's Books: Angel or Not? Angel for Sure! and Angel or Not? Ohhh so Not!!!!, click on the following link http://angelscatholicbooks.com.  Our family recommends both books.  

Attention: Director's of Religious Education ~

Catholic Teacher Daydreams presents God is Good! Vacation Bible School, just in time for next summer.

God is Good! is an invitation for children to celebrate and learn about what we believe as Catholics, while enjoying vacation fun.  Although our Catholic faith is a beautiful gift, and it is our duty as parents and faith formation leaders to teach about those Catholic gifts, there are times to play as we learn.  Just as Genesis teaches the children that God rested on the seventh day, or Matthew instructs the weary and burdened to come to God, we too are reminded that children are to relax, let go and trust God.

The basic elements of our faith are the Bible, the Mass, the sacraments, Church traditions and teachings, and the lives of the saints.  We are blessed by these truths as members of the Holy Church’s family.  Adults learn about their faith in the adult Catechism and children learn with Catholic curricula, including the timeless Baltimore Catechism. 

The first section of The Catholic Catechism is The Apostle’s Creed: What Catholics believe.  The following is a basic outline of the children’s week, and it follows The Apostle's Creed from a child's perspective.

Day 1: God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth

Day 2: Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord and His Mother, Mary.

Day 3: Holy Spirit and Holy Catholic Church 

Day 4: The forgiveness of sins,

Day 5:  Resurrection of the Body & Life and Community 

Everything you need to lead God is Good! is a phone call away: 952-290-0483.  The program will offer your parish, or home school co-op, preparation instructions, assembly lessons, references to learning stations and snacks, video, music  and more. 

May God Bless your God is Good! celebration,

Julia Johnson

Copyrights are not secured yet, but I hope to purchase them in the near future.  Please do not copy or send this. God willing, John Angotti will be the music that children enjoy during Catholic Teacher Daydream's God is Good!  Enjoy!

St. John the Baptist Church says farewell to Father Mark Dosh