New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas {and a St. Nicholas Giveaway!}

The feast of St. Nicholas is just a few weeks away! On December 6th our children always wake up to find that the letters they wrote to the Holy Child and/or St. Nicholas have been taken and their (sometimes new/replaced) slippers have been filled with little treats, oranges, chocolate gold coins, candy canes, and often times a note from St. Nicholas. Our children (and teens!) have always received a new Christmas book as well, which has helped us build an amazing collection over the years!

“A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” - C.S. Lewis

I picked out some of this years books months ago, before life started getting really crazy with our out-of-state move, and last week I went hunting for bookstores near our new home to find a few last books to finish the list. I haven't wrapped them up yet but plan to once again use the brown paper, red ribbon and little St. Nicholas labels.

You are welcome to download my St. Nicholas labels over at Dropbox with either Black or Green text. 

Here is the list of books my husband and I picked out for our children this year:

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

For Captain:

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Deluxe Edition

"Celebrate Christmas with Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this gorgeous deluxe storybook retelling of the beloved Christmas special! Christmas is almost here, which means ice-skating, Christmas carols, and sparkly lights everywhere—even on Snoopy’s doghouse! Everyone is enjoying the holiday celebrations except Charlie Brown. Can the Peanuts gang help Charlie Brown discover the true meaning of Christmas? Find out in this beautiful deluxe storybook with a cloth cover, lush foil stamping, and incredible illustrations! This makes the perfect holiday gift for fans of Peanuts and the classic Christmas special."

Our eldest son has always loved Charlie Brown! This book will be a fun addition to his collection. 

For Ranger: 

The Village of Lights

"On a snowy hilltop in the north of England lives a lonely old farmer. Every night, he watches the lights flickering cheerily in his village--until World War II brings darkness to his country. As Christmas approaches and the village is threatened by enemy bombers, the old farmer devises a plan to bring hope and light back to his friends and remind all of the peace the Christmas season brings."

I had a hard time deciding which of the boys to give this story to... They will all love it! 

(Originally I thought I'd give this one to our 11 year old and the LEGO Ornament book to Ranger...

but Sean voted for the opposite.) 

For Twinkle Toes: 

The Queen and the First Christmas Tree: Queen Charlotte's Gift to England

"Queen Charlotte brought her family's festive holiday yule bough from Germany to England. While planning a Christmas Day party in 1800 at Windsor Castle for over 100 children, she realized a single bough isn't enough. So she brought in the whole tree instead, making it the first known Christmas Tree in England. This story tells a little known fact about a favorite holiday tradition."

For Chiquita:

Silent Night: The wonderful story of the beloved Christmas Carol

"A warm and wonderful story of the creation of the timeless hymn, Silent Night, and its creator Joseph Mohr. Silent Night celebrates the 200th anniversary of the beloved hymn, and shares the story behind the creation of one of the world's most recognizable tunes. "

Our older two girls have both joined the choir at our new parish and I know they will especially love reading this story about the hymn Silent Night.

For Snuggles: 

LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book, Volume 2: 16 Designs to Spread Holiday Cheer

"Building instructions for 16 clever Christmas ornaments that can be built from standard LEGO parts that fans are likely to have in their collection. These small and uncomplicated ornaments are quick to build and a joy to display. "



**I might end up just giving this to all the kids and giving Snuggles the brand new book by Susan Peek, Saint Rudolph and the Reindeer. 

For Rose: 

Christmas Farm

"When Wilma decides her garden needs a new beginning, she gathers string, scissors, shovels, sixty-two dozen balsam seedlings, and Parker, her five-year-old neighbor. Year after year, Wilma and Parker nurture their trees, keeping careful count of how many they plant, how many perish, and how many grow to become fine, full Christmas trees. A cozy, holiday read-aloud and a lyrical way to usher in the month of December."

For Bud: 

The Little Drummer Boy

"This classic Christmas story about a shy boy who plays his trusted drum for the newborn king will charm children and parents alike. A brand new story from Bernadette Watts, never before published."

For Grace: 

The Nutcracker: A BabyLit Dancing Primer

"With this colorfully illustrated board book version of the classic Christmas-time ballet, Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver present a new holiday favorite, The Nutcracker: A BabyLit® Dancing Primer. This board book features soldiers marching, mice prancing, snowflakes swirling, dolls bending, and buffoons skipping as a way to introduce basic movement terms to babies and toddlers."

Bonus - For Sean and I: 

Drinking with Saint Nick: Christmas Cocktails for Sinners and Saints

Michael Foley, author of Drinking with the Saints, presents cocktail recipes and wine, beer, and cider recommendations that will keep hearths warm and parties joyful throughout the holidays. With stories about the history of St. Nicholas and other saints, as well as an advent calendar leading up to Christmas, this gift book is a must for anyone who starts stringing lights and playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. Let the Christmas games begin!


Bonus - Family Read Aloud: 

Seven for St. Nicholas

I found this book on Ebay a few years ago (back before Grace was born when we still had seven children) and keep forgetting to pull it out for the feast of St. Nicholas. It's about seven children in New Amsterdam who worry that St. Nicholas will not be able to find them in the New World. I'm hoping, as we get settled into our new home, that I'll be able to find the time to read it aloud this December. I'm looking forward to it! 

The darling wooden St. Nicholas toys in the above two pictures are from Naturally Catholic and Almond Rod Toys. 

Building the Way to Heaven: The Tower of Babel and Pentecost {Review & Giveaway}

"The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, 

and the Old is unveiled in the New." 

- Saint Augustine

Happy Pentecost! Are you doing anything special to celebrate the birthday of the Church? Hamburgers and hot dogs are currently on the grill, a new tabletop fire pit is set up out on the patio, and our cake is about to go into the oven. After Mass this morning I gave the kids a brand new picture book to read which is perfect for today!

Building the Way to Heaven: The Tower of Babel and Pentecost is the third book (so far!) in the "Old and New" series written by Maura Roan McKeegan and reverently illustrated by Ted Schluenderfritz. The first two books (The End of the Fiery Sword: Adam & Eve and Jesus & Mary and Into the Sea, Out of the Tomb: Jonah and Jesus) are definitely on our list of favorite Catholic picture books for children and I'm happy to add another book from this wonderful series, introducing children to the intriguing study of biblical typology, to our collection. I snapped a few pictures to share with you all.

Have you heard of the Tower of Babel? 

Do you know about Pentecost, too?

One is from the Old Testament, 

One is from the New. 

Both stories are the Word of God, 

Their messages are true; 

But when you see them side by side, 

A hidden part comes through. 

Now take a closer look

At how their histories are told: 

See the Holy Spirit work

As mysteries unfold. 

Find the buried treasures

That the Sacred Scriptures hold; 

Let the New unlock the door

To secrets of the Old! 

- Excerpt from the title page of Building the Way to Heaven: The Tower of Babel and Pentecost

.: Giveaway :. 

Emmaus Road Publishing has generously offered to send one of my visitors a paperback set of all three books by Maura Roan McKeegan! The winner will be selected and announced in this post next Sunday and the books will be shipped to the winner directly from Emmaus Road Publishing.

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below:

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The End of the Fiery Sword: Adam & Eve and Jesus & Mary

Into the Sea, Out of the Tomb: Jonah and Jesus

Building the Way to Heaven: The Tower of Babel and Pentecost 

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Catechism of the Seven Sacraments {Giveaway}

You all know how much our family loves faith based books and resources. You also know how much our family loves LEGO! Over the years our boys have come up with many of their own original LEGO creations including We Have A Pope!, Cathedral, Cathedral Part 1, and The Easter Story all inspired by our beloved Catholic faith. The BRAND NEW Catechism of the Seven Sacraments by Kevin and Mary O'Neill and their family will be a welcome addition to our home library!

This beautifully bound Catholic hardcover is filled with nearly 300 full color pages and written in a fun and easy to follow comic-book format. In the back you will also find a glossary with Catholic definitions from Father John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary. Nothing watered down here!

I love teaching our children about Biblical Typology (a method of biblical interpretation where people, symbols or events found in the Old Testament foreshadow the New Testament) and this Catechism of the Seven Sacraments is packed full of side by side examples!

I also love all the tiny chapel veils, chasubles, and cassocks! So nicely done. ❤

This book would make a perfect gift for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. I'm looking forward to gifting it to our children and godchildren! 

 Catechism of the Seven Sacraments

Available from StoryTel Press and Amazon
(StoryTel Press is currently offering free shipping on orders of 2+ books)

Sacred Heart Books & Gifts also has it at a discount!

"Join your friendly guides Fulton and Cynthia on a biblical adventure as they journey from creation to salvation and discover the importance of God's sanctifying grace. Set in a vivid comic-book format with stunning photographs, this book makes profound theological concepts accessible to both the Catholic and the curious, the child and the adult. 

Following Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's teachings on Covenant Theology, this book sheds light on the parallels between the Old Testament and the New Testament and the sacraments instituted by Christ that we experience today. Readers will develop a deeper understanding of salvation history, discover how to participate in God's covenant, and learn how to obtain grace through the sacraments, which are essential on our lifelong journey to the Eternal Promised Land."

Imprimatur: Most Reverend George J. Lucus 2018

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.: Giveaway :. 

I HAVE THREE COPIES TO GIVE AWAY!!! Kevin and Mary O'Neill have generously offered to send three of my visitors a copy of Catechism of the Seven Sacraments (value $34.95 +s/h each).  

Giveaway is open to Continental US mailing addresses only and closes on April 30th.
Winner will be announced in this post on May 1, 2018.

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I'm also giving away two more copies (one for you and one for a friend) over at Instagram so be sure to enter over there too!

New Additions to Our Book Baskets + Giveaway

As we continue celebrating the Easter season, I have some really great giveaways to host, both here on the blog and over on Instagram, starting with this one sponsored by St. Augustine Academy Press.

I get excited about each and every book that St. Augustine Academy Press republishes and am very happy to be able to share the latest three releases with you all. I don't have them in my hands yet, but they will be coming soon and the the publisher has generously offered to send a set of the three new books to one of you too!

Updated with a couple of my own photos now that our copies arrived. The books are even lovelier in person than I had expected!

Here's a peek at the new covers and the original pages: 

The Rhymed Life of St. Patrick

“…in lively recitative ballad verse, Katharine Tynan tells the entire story of St. Patrick, without missing a single incident of any significance or importance. The book consists of thirty-two large folio pages, where 'a rivulet' of large, opulent type 'meanders through a meadow of margin,' set off by artistic illustrations. If Blessed Patrick and sweet St. Bride only respond to the prayer of the Envoy, and 'Bless this book and scatter it wide,' old and young may easily acquire and retain a comprehensive, if not complete, knowledge of all that is to be known of Ireland’s patron saint."

--from a review in The Catholic World, December 1907

I've never seen this book before and can't wait to read it with our children! 

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A Child's Rule of Life
“It is not every one that can keep his childhood. Father Benson has, and speaks to children bout the great, big eternal things in a child’s way. The little ones will be delighted to learn these verses by heart, and thus almost unconsciously gain a deep knowledge of Christian doctrine, and a love and habit of Catholic practice.

The Rule takes the little child from the moment it awakes…through his morning prayers; going to church; hearing Mass; saying grace; reciting lessons; practicing obedience; confessing his sins; receiving Holy Communion; evening prayers, and bed. Round them all Father Benson has put the fragrance of verse that will make them sweet and delightful to the child mind.”

--from a review in The Catholic World, May 1913

We have an out of print copy of the Neumann Press edition and I'm so happy to see this back in print again! 

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Old Testament Rhymes

“A book intended to give to children a general idea of the course of Old Testament history from the Fall to the Redemption, especially of those incidents and personages that point to Christ. The rhymes are designedly simple and colloquial, as the book is meant for smaller children only, and the narrative may be thought very sketchy; but it is hoped that the book will form a kind of “thread,” easily discernible, on which the child may learn to connect his more explicit and detailed lessons.”

(taken from an advertisement for the book by its original publisher in 1913, Longmans, Green & Co.)

We have an out of print copy of the Neumann Press edition and I'm so happy to see this back in print again! 

.: Giveaway :. 

The publisher has generously offered to send a set of all three books - The Rhymed Life of St. Patrick, A Child's Rule of Life and Old Testament Rhymes - to one of my visitors!

(Giveaway closes on April 24th. Winner will be announced in this post on April 25, 2018)

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Click here to visit St. Augustine Academy Press 

I'm also giving away a set over on Instagram so make sure and enter over there too! 

Brigid and the Butter

Brigid and the Butter: A Legend about St. Brigid of Ireland

Long ago in deep-green Ireland lived a bright-eyed slave girl named Brigid...

Last Easter one of the girls received this darling new picture book in her Easter Basket. It is such a sweet addition to our February Book Basket and perfect for today's feast of St. Brigid of Ireland. 

Ostheimer Black & White Cow, Calf Drinking and Lamb Standing • St. Brigid from Catholic Folk Toys

Feast Day Activity: 

Make homemade butter by pouring a pint of heavy cream or whipping cream into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Have the children take turns shaking the jar until the butter has solidified. Pour off the buttermilk and use it to bake Traditional Irish Soda Bread!

Prayer to Saint Brigid

- from Brigid and the Butter

St. Brigid, you gave food to someone who was hungry although your stomach was also empty. I want to be generous, too. Pray for me so that, like you, I may do what I can to help others. Help me to care for people in need, even when it isn't easy. Amen. 

You can find more feast day books and activities for celebrating the feast of St. Brigid in the archives and recipes over at Catholic Cuisine.