My family has loved the Building Block of Faith series ever since we read The Catechism of the Seven Sacraments many years ago now. These innovative books use Lego blocks to create intricate scenes that illustrate Catechism concepts in a way that engages children of all ages. In this latest installment from Kevin and Mary O’Neill, Catholic children can learn about the hows and whys of prayer in a fun, faith-filled, and informative way.
Not Dumbed Down!
The Power of Prayer is colorful and creative and chock-full of Catholic Catechism! Much of the content closely mirrors the applicable sections of the Baltimore Catechism and is presented in a similar question and answer format. This could be a great alternative or supplement to the Baltimore Catechism for kids who are struggling or non-traditional learners. My neurodivergent kids really enjoy the solid catechesis combined with the Lego creations.
What’s Covered
This book covers a ton of prayer-related content! There’s the hows and whys and purposes of prayer Baltimore Catechism style. There’s also all the typically memorized Catholic prayers from the Sign of the Cross to the Angelus to the Act of Contrition. But that’s only the beginning! There’s Liturgical prayers from the Mass, Benediction, and Liturgy of the Hours. There’s also prayers for the Liturgical Seasons, the rosary, chaplets, and much more. I found some prayers that were new to me as I paged through!
What age?
I think this could be used with a wide variety of ages. It could be used for even young children as an eye-catching accompaniment to teaching basic prayers. It can be used for First Communion prep or as a gift. It could even be useful for Middle Schoolers who are still into Legos and would appreciate the intricate creations. Overall, this book is a wonderful resource to have on your shelf.
You can buy it direct from the publisher Sophia Institute through my affiliate link here: The Power of Prayer.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Sophia Institute Press in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
The Mistmantle Chronicles Book 1: Urchin of the Riding Stars
A mouthful of a title, but don’t be turned off! This book is absolutely worthy of a place in your family library. If you have kids who love Redwall, The Wingfeather Saga, or The Chronicles of Narnia, they’re sure to love this thrilling introduction to the world of Mistmantle.
What is Mistmantle?
An island inhabited by talking squirrels, otters, and hedgehogs! These furry (and prickly) animals live in harmony- until some of the animals become power hungry. Betrayal, manipulation, a puppet king, and a eugenics program ensue.
But on the good side: we have courageous and lovable heroes like Padra the Otter, Crispin the squirrel, and the small but not insignificant eponymous hero of the tale, Urchin. Urchin is a young squirrel with a loyal and true heart. Found as an orphan, he is accepted and loved by the good animals on Mistmantle.
Good and Evil: the Lines are Drawn
This a straightforward black and white, good versus evil, story. The good characters in Mistmantle are heroes, both young and old. The villains are black-hearted and epitomize much of what we see wrong in our secular world: hunger for power and wealth, hatred, and disrespect for human life.
This is one of the most pro-life books I’ve read in a long time, without being didactic at all. The “bad guys” decide that any animals born with birth defects such as poor vision or misshapen claws should be “culled.” As Urchin realizes this means killing newborn baby animals, he recoils in horror and then determines to join the animal underground which hides and raises these defenseless babies.
Crispin, Padra, Urchin, and their friends decide that they must defend the helpless and restore truth and order to the island of Mistmantle.
Spiritual Evil
But what is the dark evil stirring below the castle of Mistmantle? In addition to the obvious plotting of the bad animals, Urchin encounters a spiritual evil deep under the surface of Mistmantle. The evil is awakened by a power-hungry villain, and both fuels and devours him. Who can help? Urchin realizes only the priest of Mismantle can cleanse the island by prayer and fasting. Goosebumps!
Although this is not a Catholic series per se, there are many Catholic elements such as praying to “the Heart” that protects Mistmantle, wise priests, sorcery clearly portrayed as evil, and pro-life lessons.
Sensitive Reader Warning
Now as awesome as this book was, some sensitive children will definitely be upset by the beginning: Urchin’s mother dies giving birth to him. Then later in the book, it’s upsetting to contemplate the “culling” of the newborn disabled baby animals. There’s a lot of tension about whether the bad animals will discover the hiding place of the disabled young ones. And the author does a phenomenal job describing the scary demon haunting the depths of the island. So, for context, my 9 year old who is not particularly sensitive said the beginning was sad, but overall loved this book. But with my more sensitive kids, I’d wait a couple more years. If they’ve already read Redwall, they’ll be fine with this too. The reading level is simpler than Redwall, for context there. Know your kids’ individual needs as always!
The Mistmantle Chronicles series
I’m working through the rest of the series which are fittingly awesome sequels so far. Will update when I’ve read them all.
Let’s explore the United States through classic chapter books!
Northeastern United States
Enter into rural New England life with a group of 6 cousins living with their grandparents in Maine at the end of the 1800’s. Charming and often funny anecdotes of family and farm life.
Go back in time to the 1700’s and visit the dense Maine wilderness where Matt watches over his family’s homestead alone. He quickly learns the frontier is home to heartless criminals- but also finds unexpected friends and allies in the local Indian tribe.
Visit New Hampshire and meet Miss Hickory, a charming little doll made out of an apple twig. Animals, dolls, and nature collide in this charming Newberry Winner.
The small but tough Morgan horse breed was developed in Vermont. In this true story told by acclaimed author Marguerite Henry, travel to the New England countryside and farm and learn how this all-American breed developed.
Tour Sam Gribley’s tree home in upstate New York‘s Catskill mountains. Sam describes how he survivies the tough winters alone in the mountains by learning how to live off the land.
Discover the ghostly remains of a New York lake resort town with Portia and Julian in Gone Away Lake. This is a lovely story of nature, intergenerational friendship, and the New York countryside from beloved author Elizabeth Enright.
Chester cricket is a country “boy” who finds himself making new friends nad experiencing the wonder of New York City, Times Square, and some unexpected friends.
Tour turn-of-the-century New York City with the 5 sisters of All of a Kind Family. Experience life for a Jewish family living in the Big Apple in this wonderful story of family life and adventures.
Enter the world of New England sailors and learn about early navigation and ships in Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, based on true events in Salem, Massachusets.
Go back to explore Revoluntionary War Era Philadelphia with Benjamin Franklin and his faithful mouse Amos in this whimsical story from Robert Lawson.
Buy it thorugh my Amazon affiliate link: Ben and Me
The amazing ture story of Father Farmer takes you to rural New Jersey in the Colonial period. Learn about a time nad missionary field when priests were unwelcome and adventures abounded.
Part of acclaimed children’s author Lois Lenski’s Regionall Books series, Coal Camp Girl takes the reader to coal country in the West Virginia mountains.
Travel to NorthCarolina to an 1800’s Quaker farm where orphaned Martitia struggles to find her place among a large family of cousins. Best for 12+ due to light romance part of story.
The charming Fairchild Family share their everyday adventures as they search for arrowheads, learn about trading, and work on their farm in the gorgeous Kentucky mountains.
All 4 books in the series are excellent. Buy through my affiliate link: Up and Down the River
Visit the war torn South with Hannalee, a young Civil War era girl who fights to return to her home in Georgia after being relocated by the Yankees.
Best for 12 and up due to a couple mild curses in some editions of book.
Explore the woods of Wisconsin with beloved American tomboy Caddie Woodlawn. Sibling escapades, growing pains, and farm life against a backdrop of tough winters and bright summers.
All Eben McAllister wants is to get away from his boring small town life in Missouri. So his dad makes him a deal: discover Seven Wonders in his hometown and then he’ll get a trip to the city. A wonderful message about finding wonder in friends, family, and your own town.
From making way too many doughnuts to capturing a gang of robbers with a little help from his pet skunk, Homer Price is always up something in small town Ohio.
Southwestern United States
Billy and his two hounds roam the Ozark hills in this beloved Oklahoma classic. Warnign: tear-jerker that may upset younger or sensitive kids.
In frontier era Texas, teenaged Travis takes on a man’s responsibilities on his family farm- including some tough choices. Warning: sad ending that may upset sensitive readers.
Buy it through my Amazon affiliate link: Old Yeller
Visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Against an arid desert backdrop, Brighty the burro wanders free. A Marguerite Henry classic.
In this semi-autobiographical novel, two young men travel around the southwest in an old Ford called “Shiftless,” scratching a living by art and odd jobs. A later installment in Ralph Moody’s Little Britches series.
Here’s another Gold Rush era book about a brother and sister who travel by covered wagon from Missouri to California. A lovely nuanced story about family, friendship, and whether gold is the key to happiness.
Based on true events, this is an easy-reader version of the story of Snowshoe Thompson, a courageous mail carrier who traveled along through Nevada’s treacherous Sierra Madres Mountains.
Wander through the wilds of Wyoming with Peter Lundy, a boy who loves a horse more than anything. Learn about the rare medicine hat pattern, mustangs, and life on the rough western prairie in this horse novel from acclaimed American author Marguerite Henry.
Explore the western United States including Montana, Idaho, and Oregon with this amazing living history book that brings Lewis and Clark’s Expedition to life.
Blessed Carlo Acutis: The Amazing Discovery of a Teenager in Heaven
Last fall, my family “discovered” Blessed Carlo Acutis through a Holy Heroes Glory Story CD. We learned about this amazing youth who managed to accomplish so much in just fifteen short years of life. My kids were enthralled not only by how young he was but how recently he had lived and how similar his life was to theirs. He died only a few years before they were born! He wore jeans! He used a computer!
A Saint for 21st Century Kids
My kids aren’t the only ones who love Blessed Carlo and feel an instant connection to his story. This young man is inspiring kids around the world as his story spreads. Blessed Carlo Acutis: The Amazing Discovery of a Teenager in Heaven is a brand-new book by Sabrina Arena Ferrisi. Drawing on Church documents and interviews, especially personal interviews with Carlo’s mother, Ferrisi retells Carlo’s life story. Kids (and adults!) can learn about his Eucharistic devotion, charity work, favorite pets, love for computer programming and film making, and much more!
But Ferrisi also includes an explanation of the official path to a declaration of sainthood. Kids will learn about the 3 stages on the way and what is required at each stage. They’ll be even more amazed that Carlo was declared a Blessed less than 15 years after his death!
There’s also plenty of color photos of Carlo, his family, and more for kids who love visuals.
Who Will Enjoy This Book?
Target age: middle grades through high school. But younger kids will enjoy hearing parts of the book read aloud, especially if they’re already familiar with Blessed Carlo’s life from Glory Stories. I enjoyed this short book thoroughly as an adult. I was touched and inspired by Blessed Carlo’s love for both God and neighbor. This young Blessed’s life truly exemplifies the two great commandments!
You can order your copy of Blessed Carlo Acutis from publisher Holy Heroes. Enter the discount cod CARLO15 to get 15% off your purchase to celebrate this new relase!
No affiliate link here, just a really awesome saint and story I wanted to share!
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of “Blessed Carlo Acutis: The Amazing Discovery of a Teenager” in Heaven in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
For more of my favorite books for Catholic kids, check out My Book Lists!
In his latest picture book, How the Angels Got Their Wings, Anthony DeStefano continues his pattern of producing beautiful books for children. In this new book, he explains in his trademark gently rhythmic verse who the angels are, why some angels are bad, who the archangels are and what they’re known for, and where we might find them.
An Exciting Drama
Angels are a fun topic for kids. These amazing rational beings with real superpowers fascinate my kids. My five year old loved the vivid illustrations in How the Angels Got Their Wings, especially the cosmic battle between the good and bad angels. She also loved the concept of looking for angels in daily life. Whether they’re in disguise or invisible, we’re surrounded by these amazing beings all the time and definitely don’t think about it enough! This picture book will help kids of all ages to connect more deeply with these heavenly friends.
Find Out More
Note that particularly young or very sensitive children may be upset by the images of the devil, so be sure and check out the full length picture preview of the book on Sophia Institute Press before buying if you have very young ones.
Chivalry and Catholic Virtues meet in Theresa Linden’s Armor of God series, specially written for First Communicants.
Have or know a child who’s preparing for or just made their First Holy Communion? This series is just for them! Theresa Linden explores the six parts of the Armor of God listed in Ephesians 6 against a interest-catching backdrop of knights and quests. These books are sure to captivate 6-8 year old Catholic children and help them internalize and desire the virtues!
In the first book, Belt of Truth, George, a young page, has a lying problem.
George wants more than anything to be a knight. When he learns that Truthfulness is a necessary virtue, he’s dismayed. How can he stop lying when it seems like the best way to solve his problems and keep out of trouble? Watch George grow and practice virtue throughout this first book so that when he really gets in trouble, he is able to stand strong and tell the truth. He earns his first piece of armor: the Belt of Truth.
As the series continues, George learns about the other parts of a knight’s armor and other virtues including Righteousness, Peacefulness, and Faithfulness.
There’s also plenty of scuffles, sword fighting, horses, dragons, and more. Parents can feel good about giving this clean, virtue-driven series to their young kids to read. And kids can enjoy the fun of the chivalric era while imbibing some good morals.
Is the Armor of God series just for boys?
Nope! Girls will enjoy the fact that the knight school is for boys and girls! Boys train to be knights, and girls train to be dames. But they all get to practice all the fun parts of training. A girl is one of the three main characters that carry the series.
To buy the Armor of God Series, you can use my Amazon affiliate link to Belt of Truth or buy directly through the author’s website TheresaLinden.com!
My 9 year old was laughing so hard the other night over a book that he woke up his youngest sister. He just loves a laugh out loud funny book, and I bet he isn’t the only one! Depending on who you ask, laughter keeps us sane, is good medicine, and makes life worth living.
“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.”
Lucy Maud Montgomery
It’s Robert Frost who said laughter keeps us sane by the way. And Byron says it’s cheap medicine.
Anyway, here’s a list of the funniest chapter books for 8-12 year old middle grade readers.
Homer Price captures bank robbers- with a little help from his pet skunk Aroma. He watches the donut shop for his uncle- and ends up making thousands of donuts. Robert McCloskey’s wry illustrations help make this comic classic memorable. Our world is so much more complicated, but kids still laugh about Homer Price’s small-town escapades.
Tom Sawyer: American legend. Kids would have to read this book anyway for cultural literacy, but it’s so funny they read it voluntarily. Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer still have charm.
Life is an adventure on McBroom’s Wonderful One-Acre Farm where beanstalks grow sky high overnight. Sid Fleischman tells original American tall tales about a large family on a miraculously productive farm.
Good Old Archibald is a vintage schoolboy story of accepting differences and forging friendships through sports and pranks. Reprinted and available from Bethlehem Books.
My kids loved and laughed at Owls in the Family from about age 3 onwards. It’s got that universal appeal that makes all ages laugh out loud. Farley Mowat humorously recounts his childhood complete with a menagerie of pets including two Great Horned Owls that thought they were human.
In The Adventures of Pippi Longstocking, you get a three books in one volume! This illustrated edition of the beloved Pippi stories brings the irrepressible red-head to life for today’s kids.
Edward Eager’s Tales of Magic series follows sibling groups on unlikely magical escapades usually with a twist. Like in Half Magic the children find a magic charm that gives them get exactly half of whatever they wish. Of course general hilarity ensues and they learn the hard way to be careful what they wish for!
The “magic” in Eager’s books is in the the Nesbit tradition: fairy-tale like magic that just happens to everyday people. The children are not trying to be witches or wizards. The magic happens through a toad that grants wishes in one book, a magic penny in another.
The Mad Scientists’ Club is vintage boys’ fiction with lots of science, pranks, and brainy kids saving the day. Overall I recommend these books for older middle grade readers with a few reservations. Things I don’t like: outsmarting domineering adults such as the Mad Scientists’ archenemy the mayor of the town is a common part of this collection of stories. There’s also some “fibbing” and disobedience to parents without real consequences.
But on the other hand, there’s a lot of positive themes about loyalty, friendship, problem-solving, and good clean fun. It’s quite funny and will inspire kids to explore and delve deep into STEM. This review from First Things captures the positives and negatives of the series well.
Discover Freedom Island, where “The Brave” citizens fight against the villains who strive to take away their freedoms and corrupt their culture.
This new series presents issues like Communism, Critical Race Theory, the Sanctity of Life, and 2nd Amendment Rights in a way that 4-10 year olds can understand. Each book contains an animal story in the time-honored tradition of Aesop.
An animal on Freedom Island confronts a tricky situation in each book. For example, in “Elephants are Not Birds” Kevin the elephant loves to sing. A “friend” suggests that this means he is actually a bird. But will trying to be a bird make Kevin happy and fulfilled and free?
In “The Island of Free Ice Cream,” the animals of Freedom Island discover that when something is presented as “free” they need to be skeptical. In “Little Lives Matter” Mother Bear refuses to give up on her disabled bear cub Mobi. And when she is old he won’t give up on her either. In “Paws off My Cannon,” the animals keep losing their cupcakes to the aggressive hyenas and can’t agree on whether the cannons or the hyenas are the problem until they try an experiment.
A story, games, missions, and more!
Each book contains a story, family or classroom game ideas, missions, discussion points for further clarification, and more! There’s even a giant map of the island so you can really immerse your kids in the “Brave” universe. These books would be great to use as a framework for a weekly or monthly class. I think they’re best for 6-10 year olds although a mature 4-5 year old would also understand most of the stories.
So far, there are 7 books in the The Brave series with many more planned. This is an inspiring effort by a collaboration of established writers and media figures who believe strongly in core American values and freedoms. There is no specific political agenda being pushed here per se. Rather, the focus is on individual issues such as sanctity of life, cancel culture, truth, gender identity, and so forth.
The author and publisher clearly put a lot of thought and work into creating a quality teaching product with Brave Books. I think you’ll be impressed!
You can order Brave Books as a monthly subscription or as single books through the publisher: Brave Books.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of Saga One from Brave Books in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
You may also be interested in some of my other Book Lists and Reviews such as:
Give someone you love the gift of getting lost in a good story this Christmas!
What’s better than a book for Christmas? It doesn’t take up much space, is easy to mail, and gives the gift of an experience without leaving the comfort of your home! Find picture books, chapter books, picks for teens, and even the adult who won’t read on your list here this year!
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through my link I recieve a small fee at no additional cost to you.
Beautiful picture books to treasure
Swedish author Elsa Beskow’s beautifully illustrated picture books are favorites at our house. In Peter’s Old House, a community comes together to help renovate an old neighbor’s house.
Or if you’re looking for a classic fairy tale gift, Beskow’s rendition of Thumbelina may be the perfect fit.
Classic Picture Books that no one knows about
Flicka, Dicka, and Ricka are three sisters who always dress the same. In Flicka, Ricka, Dicka Bake a Cake, they learn how to make the perfect cake for their mothers’ birthday. This vintage series of charming stories about three sisters is over 100 years old, but back in print in collectible hardcover editions at a reasonable price! Only $10 a book!
Have little boys? No worries, there’s a brother series about three little boys named Snipp, Snapp, Snurr that is equally charming! (Note that these are only available in paperback that I could find).
For the Little Girl in Your Life
Have a 3-6 year old girl in your life? She’s sure to love The Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook. These simple and sweet stories about a little girl’s small everyday village adventures will charm you. Plenty of illustrations and short chapters help hold interest making this a great first chapter book.
For the small boy with the heart for big adventure
Tall tales are always a hit with the 4-6 year old boy crowd. Try Steven Kellog’s renditions of Paul Bunyan, Mike Fink, and Pecos Bill with their detailed illustrations.
Or for a really unique and neat gift, give this little-known classic story from Virginia Lee Burton: Calico the Wonder Horse: Christmas Gift Edition. Calico is a smart ranch horse who saves the day when Stewy Stinker and his Bad Men come to town to try to steal Christmas.
For the elementary schoolers in your life
This interactive edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderlandand Through the Looking Glass is amazingly detailed! Tons of illustrations and even movable elements. Watch the Cheshire Cat appear and disappear, help Alice get bigger and smaller, and more. Hardcover quality edition at a very good price!
Or for the adventurous child, you can’t go wrong with this beautiful hardcover illustrated edition of The Hobbit. Again, quality illustrations, paper quality, and binding make this a great gift edition of a beloved classic.
For your godchild, niece or nephew, or child who loves audiobooks
My kids will listen to Glory Stories on repeat if I let them! These full cast productions bring the saint to life in a vivid and memorable way. There’s a nice variety of Saint Stories to choose from, ancient to modern. My kids’ current favorite is the newly released story of Blessed Carlo Acutis, available from publisher Holy Heroes.
The book that every teen should read
Even middle schoolers can understand the message in Animal Farm, George Orwell’s classic dystopian allegory about the dangers of Communism.
For the teen who enjoys historical fiction
I really enjoyed Sword and Serpent, the first in a Catholic historical fiction series which imagines the lives of St. George, St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Nicholas, St. Blaise, and other early saints.
For the teen who loves fantasy and fairy tales
Shannon Hale’s rendition of the fairy tale The Goose Girl is masterfully done! A little romance, a lot of adventure, and great themes about friendship and courage make this a great teen novel.
For the teen who’s ready for a classic mystery
I’ve gotten the question of which Agatha Christie to start a teen on a few times. You can’t go wrong with The Secret Adversary, Crooked House, or Murder on the Orient Express. (Note that some Agatha Christie books mentions adulterous relationships as a plot point but there is never any sexual content.)
For that teen or adult who won’t read a book
What about Andy Serkis’s amazing new performance of the Lord of the Rings? An unabridged reading by the man who voiced Gollum- what could be better!? Audio Books still count as books!
For the adult story lover on your list
Reading Piranesi was a highlight in my 2021 Literary Adventures. This thought-provoking story inspired by The Magician’s Nephew brings together mystery, art, philosophy, and suspense into a unique and gripping plot. My full Review of “Piranesi” is up on the blog.
For the adult who loves the classics and beautiful editions
Check out the beautiful editions at The Folio Society! Most book lovers would drool over these gorgeous illustrated copies of favorites like Around the World in 80 Days, Austen’s books, the Bronte classics, or The Wind in the Willows.
For that person who likes looooonnnngggg (and amazing!) books
I’ve read pretty much everything Michael O’Brien has written. The Island of the World is my favorite. So if you need a tome for someone like me who thinks 1000+ pages is a positive, then you’ve found the perfect reflection on art, love, and the power of suffering.
For the Mystery Lover
For those who love classic mysteries but have read all the greats like Sayers and Christie and Allingham, Alan Bradley’s The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is a contemporary mystery in the classic tradition. Full review up on the blog here.
For the adult who loves historical fiction
A Gentleman in Moscow is one of those books that draws you right back into a particular time period and way of life. Aristocrat Alexi is sentenced to lifelong house arrest in the attic of the Grand Hotel in Moscow as the Communists take over Russia. How does the last Gentleman remaining in Moscow maintain sanity, find community, and even thrive over the next decades?
For more ideas, check out my 2020 Christmas book guide!
Who else is studying ancient civilizations this year? After testing out a pyramid of Egyptian picture and chapter books, I wanted to share our favorite stories. Immerse yourself in the art, legends, and culture of Ancient Egypt with these beautiful books!
Note that although many books on this list are picture books, they are not for babies! Elementary and middle school aged readers will enjoy and benefit from the wealth of detail in these beautiful books.
This newly back in print classic strikingly illustrates the building of the boat that is buried at the Great Pyramid at Giza. Learn about the Egyptian belief in the afterlife and their boatbuilding skills.
Did you know the ancient Egyptians told a version of the Cinderella story? This story, recorded in the first century, is matched with jewel toned illustrations in this beautiful edition.
Explore hieroglyphics with this ancient Egyptian story based on hieroglpys from an ancient papyrus scroll. Each page has a replica of a section of the ancient scroll, along with a translation and gorgeous illustrations.
Graeme Base combines hieroglyphs, a riddle, and a legend into a fun Egyptian immersion experience. Expensive to buy new, but available used or at many libraries.
David Macaulay’s strikingly simple black and white illustrations bring to life the details of Egyptian pyramid building. I love all the detailed drawings in Macaulay’s books.
Or go the graphic novel route with this eye-catching comic book style account of the building of the Great Pyramid at Giza. This one was a big hit with my 8 year old.
Join Will, the son of an archaeologist, on an unforgettable trip to help uncover the ruins at Giza. Will hopes to make a great discovery- like a mummy! This book has lots of cool period details about excavation and archaeology.
Demi’s style lends itself well to Egyptian art. This biography of Tutankhamun is quite thorough, going from birth to death. It does include details that may require parental discussion such as the fact that Tutankhamun married his half sister. There’s also an interesting account of the period of Egyptian monotheism in which they worshipped one God, Aten. Tutankhamun allowed his subjects to choose whether to worship the traditional cast of Egyptian gods or this one god, Aten.
This is a fun little series of well-illustrated books that describe daily life for a child in different cultures. Lots of interesting details about “Growing Up in Ancient Egypt.”
Traditional history textbook meets oral tradition in The Story of Civilization. I love that the author includes frequent “Living History” sections with tales, legends, or historical fiction accounts that bring important characters to life for young readers. We like this best as the audiobook, which is professionally dramatized.
For readers aged 10 and older, Eloise McGraw’s Newberry award winning The Golden Goblet will bring Ancient Egypt to life. A classic style tale of a poor boy with a dream overcoming the odds.
Mara, Daughter of the Nile is Eloise McGraw’s other masterful historical fiction novel set in Ancient Egypt. Most appropriate for ages 12 and up due to a strong Romantic subplot, this exciting espionage story brings the court of Hatshepsut to life like no other!
