Mama, Sing My Song
Cuddly animal babies and mothers bound through this lovely new picture book written especially to help mothers inculcate an understanding of boundless love in their children. As mothers read this book to their little ones over and over, children will hear the important message that they are “a masterpiece- God’s work of art” and “a special treasure.” They’ll feel secure and treasured knowing that both their mother and God love them without limits.
A Perfect Gift to Cherish
This sweet book would make a perfect gift for a Baby Shower, Baptism, Christmas or Birthday. There is space in the beginning for a commemorative inscription and a parent to write down their hopes for their child. In the back of the book are spaces for the parents to write down the meaning of the child’s name, a Bible verse for their life, and a prayer for their child.
A Lullaby, a Poem, a Story, a Memory
Whether you download the free song version of Mama, Sing My Song and play it for your child, sing this lullaby yourself, or read it aloud as a poem, your child will feel loved. I love that this book connects the sometimes distant and esoteric concept of God’s love with something even a tiny child understands: their mother’s love. Now they just need to write a version for fathers!
You can buy this book through my Amazon affiliate link here: Mama, Sing My Song
has an amazing nature theme. A mother rabbit soothes her little one to bed by pointing out the natural beauty around them. A great improvement on the mercenary motif in the traditional version of this popular bedtime song!
sails across a sleepy sea in his moonboat, fishing with star bait. A sure recipe for sweet dreams. 
. Animals around the world prepare for bed and coax their babies to sleep. 
, a grandmother teaches her rosy-cheeked grandchild to calm her body and mind by picturing a herd of adorable ponies carrying her off to sweet dreams. 
is a favorite with the boys! Each might machine on a construction site prepares for bed and goes to sleep in this goodnight story. 
and 
are two adorable books about a bear who can’t sleep (and then oversleeps!) 
by Margaret Wise Brown is the quintessential bedtime classic that children love hearing again and again.
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will enjoy this introduction to the alphabet which features Jane Hissey’s cast of stuffed animal friends.
has a gentle, rhythmic text which details the animals preparing their barn for Christ’s coming.
is a simple retelling of the Christmas story which I particularly like because of its emphasis on Jesus’ birthday as the reason for Christmas and a short explanation of why we give gifts at Christmas: “to show our love.”
is a very simple rhyming version of the Christmas story.
is a whimsical story about a baker who learns that sometimes a dozen is really 13, thanks to St. Nicholas’ intervention. This book is perfect for reading on St. Nicholas’ Day prior to decorating gingerbread St. Nicholas cookies!
is my favorite version of the true story of St. Nicholas. This book’s iconography is a fitting visual companion to the story’s focus on Nicholas’ desire to be an icon of Christ, imitating his Lord in word and deed.
is a unique Christmas story about a tiny spider who helps save the Christ Child from Herod’s soldiers. The theme of the littlest helping and a fun connection to tinsel make this one worth buying.
is another fun explanation of a favorite Christmas tradition: candy canes. Very young children can understand this simple story with its explanation of the Christian symbolism of candy canes.
is another story to explain a Christmas symbol. This legend offers one explanation of the pointsettia: how little Lucida’s selfless, humble gift of weeds to the Christ Child is miraculously transformed to bright red star flowers.
is a sweet lullaby sung by the Blessed Virgin to Jesus, describing how all of nature is rejoicing at His coming.
is a favorite of mine. This adorable, wee little mouse named Mortimer hears the Christmas story read and decides to give up his bed for the baby Jesus in the family nativity scene.
combines the Nativity story from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke with beautiful, illuminated manuscript style illustrations.
uses the story of a little boy who makes his own infant Jesus statue to introduce your child to an Italian tradition in which the Pope offers a special blessing on the third Sunday of advent to all the infant Jesus figures in St. Peter’s Square.
is the story of how only the humblest, small star can see past the newborn king’s humble surroundings and recognize his kingship.
is a fanciful take on what might happen if a candle gave one Christ’s eyes, and made one see each stranger as a loved family member.
takes a fresh look at this favorite Christmas carol, offering Scripture verses and interpretive pictures to accompany the verses.
is a story of how a small boy and his mother’s kindness helps a “scrooge” to recover and bring about a Christmas miracle.
is a Max Lucado story about a young carpenter’s apprentice who learns to see Christ in those he meets.
is a wonderful imaginative story about three animals, a horse, an elephant, and a camel who must work together using their unique skills to bring the Wise Men to the infant Jesus.
is a wonderful look at how a spoiled princess is guided by her wise parents to learn lessons about selflessness, sympathy, and the joy of giving.
is a touching story about God’s special plan for even the littlest and weakest creatures.
is the Christmas story retold from an angel’s perspective with beautiful, light-filled illustrations.
chronicles the dreams the donkey who carried a pregnant Mary dreamed, while exploring some of Mary’s titles. Beautiful illustrations again!
is a powerful story which stars Saint Boniface smiting down the oak tree the pagans worship, and explains the miraculous origins of the linking of evergreen trees with Christ’s birth.
is a beautifully illustrated retelling of the legend of Saint Lucia and how her feast is celebrated in Sweden.
is a simple Christmas story young children will love about the kind animals making room for smaller and smaller animals, and eventually the Christ Child.
is a feel-good inspiration story of a young boy who chooses to use his hard-earned savings to bring joy to poor children at Christmas.
is a beautifully illustrated story about young Jack learning from his gentle mother the true meaning of Christmas as they bake Christmas cookies to give to the poor.
is the story of Hoshmakaka the camel (kids love this story just for that name) who must learn humility to see the Christ Child.
is Tomie de Paola’s beloved story of a village coming together to make Christmas special for an old woman.
is a very simple story for preschoolers as the animals determine by process of elimination that it is the Christ Child who was born on Christmas day.
is an inspiring true story about a World War II Pilot who dropped candy to the German children as a sign of hope and good will.
offers a possible explanation of how the tradition of Nativity scenes came to be: through the collaboration of Saint Francis of Assisi and a simple shepherd boy.
is the story of a miraculous Christmas in war-torn Russia brought about by the faith of a small boy, the intercession of St. Nicholas, and a community coming together.
can be enjoyed by even very young children, who will love its message that even the littlest can have an important task.
is a charming story about a family who lives above a barn and practices the true spirit of Christmas.
is a series of meditations on fourteen events leading up to the birth of Christ. Complete with reflections and prayers, this can be prayed similar to the Stations of the Cross.
is a beautiful, humorous story of two Lebanese immigrant children who hope to see the miracle of the trees kneeling that their Grandmother told them happened in Lebanon.
is an advent book with twenty four chapters, one to read each evening in December, as you accompany the characters through Palestine on a journey to Bethlehem, meeting many Bible characters along the way. Perfect for a family read-aloud!
is for an older reader. This beloved story by Henry Van Dyke is about a fourth wise man who never does get to see baby Jesus, but instead beautifully illustrates the Bible message of seeing and serving Christ in those one meets on one’s journey.
is a specifically Catholic resource focused on various ways of celebrating Advent: stories, songs, poems, and activities.
is, as the name implies, a story a day until Christmas collection. The stories range from the various gospel accounts of the Nativity to Christmas stories and traditions from around the world.
are old stories from the beginning of the twentieth century which illustrate the true spirit of Christmas.
is by Hilda Van Stockum, one of my very favorite children’s authors, and therefore simply a joy to read. Four-year-old Kersti knows she falls into the naughty category, but her appeal to the good bishop on behalf of all the little ones who struggle to be good is a wonderful illustration of mercy versus strict judgment.
is a famous O. Henry short story about sacrifice, true love, and the true meaning of Christmas.
or 
, both illustrated by Priscilla Lamont.
, which has poems organized by season. Of course, you also get the benefit of Hughes’ distinctive, detailed illustrations which accompany each poem. Her other poetry collection, 
is fun for fans of Alfie and Annie Rose, and celebrates sibling play and mundane family life.
. These poems were intended for children, written with simple themes and commonplace similes that children will readily grasp, but many are still mini masterpieces. They make great first exercises in memorization.
is a wealth of poems by a large variety of authors to read aloud, handily organized by subject.
attempts with some success to make a wonderful poem by Gerald Manley Hopkins accessible to young children. Breaking the poem down line by line, this book offers imagery and word definitions to help your children understand.
is a wonderful story about all the different meanings of “giving.” Described by a little girl and illustrated by the ever-charming Shirley Hughes.
is possibly my favorite book for two year olds. Little Sal and little bear learn that they should stay close to their mommies, even if yummy berries are tempting!
is by the great Margaret Wise Brown. Animals around the world settle down for bed in their own ways as their mothers urge them to close their eyes.
is another favorite by Margaret Wise Brown with lovely illustrations from Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney. This book describes the coming of winter and how various farm animals prepare for the cold and wind.
is a nature-focused variation on the traditional rhyme, and is the version we sing in our house.
is a toddler favorite about the farm animals trying to wake up the sleepy farmer.
is a simple but beloved story in which Alfie gets new boots and solves the mystery of why they feel funny.
, is a cautionary tale warning children against locking doors. But don’t worry it has a happy ending!
, one of the most beautiful picture books we own, is the story of a little lamb helping an even littler bird.
, the spider works despite all distracions to build a beautiful web. Lift the flaps on each page are fun for little ones.
is a charming recounting by a loving mother of her day with her little girl. This sweet book is a must read to your little girl!
is one for the daddies and sons! A little boy and his father play at a pond, using their imaginations to make an enjoyable day even funner.
, Jesse Bear, a very active little bear, learns about all the times one shouldn’t get wet, and finally when one should!
are, as always, worthy of lengthy study. In this story Hedgehog struggles to get untangled from a stocking, and Lisa tries to find her missing clothes.
is a good old story of a little girl caring for her dolls. It’s sure to delight any little mommy!
details the adventure of a very curious little kitten! It is a good cautionary tale to show the dangers of too much curiosity.
is a modern tale with illustrations to delight little princesses and a fanciful story of a little girl going on a magic carpet ride to find the perfect gift for her mother.
is a delectable, gentle story about a little mouse trying to get a huge cupcake home, with some help from his hungry friends.
is a hilarious little book about Pamela’s lengthy preparations to take her non-existent dog for a walk.
