The best books for Catholic kids – where to start your Catholic bookshelf.
Books are such an integral part of our family’s life together. Snuggling on the couch for Read Aloud Hour is the highlight of my day as a mother.
Not every read aloud hour is a beautiful time of pouring into my children. There are days when the baby is fussy and I dance in front of the kids – baby on hip, one hand holding the book, trying to make the most of the moving words on the page.
And sometimes those days end with my saying, “This just isn’t working kids. Let’s try again later.”
And we do try again later. Books are just that important to me!
Why Catholic books?
When I converted to Catholicism five years ago, I knew I wanted to instill the Catholic faith in our children from a young age. While definitely not the only way, books have played a key role in handing on the faith in our family. After all, books helped shape my own conversion!
Our Catholic bookshelf remained quite bare at first, but now, 5 years later, boasts a respectable little collection!
READ MORE: Creating a Catholic Bookshelf You Love – ways to slowly grow your Catholic home library without breaking the bank
What do you use all these books for?
Besides our read aloud hour, these books find their way into:
- required reading list for the year
- the monthly family feast table basket
- the no-toy Christmas list
- gifts for Catholic family and friends
I’m a firm believer that a book must have life, breath, and beauty within its pages. I have been thoroughly disappointed by some of the dry, lifeless Catholic (or non-Catholic for that matter!) children’s literature on the market today.
As Catholics, our options are expanding as out of print books are brought back into circulation and new quality Catholic literature is produced.
Libraries don’t have much selection when it comes to Catholic books, so this list is really an investment in your family’s home library. It’s also an investment in the souls under your care.
Catholic books = liturgical life
Books make liturgical life much simpler. Celebrating a feast day can be simply grabbing a book from your well-stocked bookshelf.
This has become a part of my own daily routine. As I’m going over my daily agenda in my Catholic planner, I check what is going on liturgically. A quick visit to the bookshelf provides a feast day read aloud.
When Christian was on the medical ketogenic diet to heal his epilepsy, our liturgical living centered around books not food.
I’d love to share with you, dear reader, some of our family’s must reads. These are tried and true, and from the trenches – the best Catholic books for kids.
Liturgical year reading
Read through the Catholic Year Book Lists and Eternal Literature ebook
After years of missing out on reading along with the liturgical cycle of the Church, I’ve finally created a comprehensive and curated list of Catholic book lists for:
- liturgical inspired book lists by month
- Marian book list
- Rosary book list
- Catholic chapter book list
- Catholic spirituality for kids book list
- Advent & Christmas book list
- Lent & Easter book list
All in easy printable format!
Let’s check out some of these books, shall we?
(Comment below sharing your family favorites!)
Must Reads for Young Catholics:
Best Picture Books for Catholic Kids
Catholic Children’s Treasure Box– This is a set of books that includes a wide range of stories, crafts, games, poems, and more! There is a 10 part series on the life of St. Therese of Lisieux, another on the creation of the world, and a fictional series highlighting the adventures of Wupsy (a guardian angel) and his charge. I love the 1950’s style illustrations!
The Weight of a Mass – Details the story which illustrates the power of the Mass Beautiful illustrations and inspiring story!
Take it to the Queen – Allegory illustrating the role of Mary in our relation to God.
Once Upon a Time Saints (Entire Series) – I love the story format of these tales of the saints. No dry, simplistic retelling!
The Princess and the Kiss – A beautiful story illustrating the meaning and power of chastity. A non-Catholic book that is a must read.
The Squire and the Scroll – Written by the same author as the above, so again, not Catholic but very, very good. Story illustrates honesty, bravery, and obedience to God.
Dangerous Journey – A children’s version of Pilgrim’s Progress. Another non-Catholic book that makes the list!
Angel in the Waters-A pro-life book.
The Tale of Three Trees – Story of the trees whose wood made objects in Jesus’s life.
Found: Psalm 23 – Children’s retelling of Psalm 23
My Path to Heaven-This book makes a wonderful devotional. Even the little ones enjoyed this book, though some of it was over their heads.
A Child’s Book of Prayer in Art – This book is such an easy way to incorporate art study in your homeschool and it does it while mingling in the Catholic faith.
Catechism of the Seven Sacraments – I was quite hesistant about a Lego book on the Catechism, but this book is GOLD! It teaches the faith on a deep level while the Legos make it kid approachable!
Into the Sea Out of the Tomb, End of the Fiery Sword, Building the Way to Heaven –
Kiddie Cat– A quick catechism for the youngest Catholic. A Board book.
Catholic Bibles for Kids:
The Catholic Children’s Bible– This Bible is perfect for your established reader. Our oldest read his to shreds!
The Beginner’s Bible– This is a book of Bible stories that is perfect for your beginning reader. (A non-Catholic Bible)
The Action Bible – I was turned off by the comic book style of this book, but it is AMAZING. Your kids will love it and they will KNOW their Bible stories well.
Children’s Illustrated Bible – a great reference for learning about Biblical times (another non-Catholic resource)
Chapter Books for Catholic Kids:
Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls (series)-Fictional stories highlighting the Catholic faith.
Father Brown Reader (series) – Entertaining children’s take on GK Chesterton
Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids
The Little Apostle on Crutches
Saint Patrick’s Summer: A Children’s Adventure Catechism
The First Christians: The Acts of the Apostles for Children-For early readers!
The Life of Our Lord for Children-Great for beginning readers!
Angel Food for Boys and Girls– A set of four books containing children’s homilies. Each homily is a short read which uses a story to illustrate a Truth.
Books about Books!
There are a few helpful books on the market that will help you find that perfect (Catholic) book when you need it! I always thought it was silly to get a booklist type book, but I have found them invaluable in our homeschool, especially when I create our required reading list for the year.
Let the Authors Speak: A Guide to Worthy Books Based on Historical Setting by Hatcher
This is a new book on our shelf and I have found it to be a fabulous resource for creating my required reading lists for next year. Books are organized by time period, by author, and by title. Within each collection, the reading level (early reader up to adult) is listed as well as if the book is written with a Catholic flavor. A perfect title for Catholic homeschoolers who like to use “real books.”
For the Love of Literature: Teaching Core Subjects with Literature by Wittmann
Again, another book which brings together great educational titles for our little ones. Books are grouped by subject including: art, music, history, and science. Each title is given a quick summary as well as a reading level. Catholic books are also noted.
Books on Saints for Kids:
I’ve intentionally not listed all my favorite saint books here as that would make this list ASTRONOMICALLY large. I suggest you peruse the liturgical year reading lists!
Looking for more books you and your family will love?
- An Intentional {Catholic} Booklist for your Child
- The Intentional {Catholic} Booklist Resources
- Marian Must Reads for Young Catholics
- Living Science Booklist
- Catholic Living History Booklist
- Busy Mama’s Guide to Learning about Catholicism
- Busy Mama’s Guide to Learning about Homeschooling
- Busy Mama’s Guide to Self Improvement
- Monthly Feast Table Posts with Liturgically Appropriate Booklists
- The (Catholic) Bible in a Year
What are some of your favorite must reads for young Catholic literature? Leave a comment and watch the must reads list grow!
{Above links may contain affiliate links. At no cost to you, I will receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through those links.}
Devotional Storie for Little Folks, by Nancy Nicholson, is good. When I was little, we would start our homeschool day with prayer and a story from that book. Other Catholic books would be read at other times during the day.
Oh yes! We loved Devotional Stories for Little Folks! So many good books and so little time seems to be my problem lately!
Great list Elizabeth. Couldn’t have picked a better one. :). Also another favourite is the Rose of Sharon about sacrifice .
I have not read that one, but it is on our list of books to look at (sometime!).
I’m a junior high teacher and I recommended Billowtail, A Young Catholic in King James Court, and Shadow of His Wings.
I’ve heard of these books. Would you suggest them for a slightly older kid? What if they are read aloud? Thanks, Kate!
The Legend of the Golden Straw was a favorite childhood Christmas book. 🙂
I have not heard about this book! Anxious to check it out. Thanks so much for commenting. I’m always looking for new treasures to add to our shelves.
I would highly recommend Saint Fernando III Kingdom for Christ. ( Rec reading age 12+ ) I couldn’t put this one down and now my 13 yr old son is the same. Great For World History, Church History, and an Inspiring story of one of the Church’s incorrupt Saints.
That sounds like a real winner. I’ll be looking into it soon. Is there anything inappropriate for younger ones that warrants the older recommended reading age, or is it just a more difficult read?
Love this! One of our favorite series are Hilda Van Stockum’s series. (The Cottage at Bantry Bay, Francie on the Run, Pegeen, The Mitchells, Canadian Summer, and Friendly Gables) There is also a series that starts with “Five for Fighting” but I don’t remember who writes it. Love them! Probably for 2nd and 3rd graders, but they are fun for adults too!
I’ve heard of this series, but haven’t actually gotten around to reading it. They sound like a great read aloud to incorporate this year. I’m look for books to span my kiddos ages! Thanks so much for the suggestions!
The Outlaws of Ravenhurst is a favorite of mine and my grandsons. “This exciting historical adventure depicts the last stand of the Gordons – God’s “outlaws” – fighting for their Catholic Faith in the early days of the Protestant Revolution in seventeenth-century Scotland. Written for the children but enjoyed by young and old alike, this intriguing novel is filled with courageous heroes, cowardly villains, secrets and even secret passages!” (Summary by Maria Therese)
It is in Audio here: https://librivox.org/outlaws-of-ravenhurst-by-sister-m-imelda-wallace/
I have heard so many great things about this book and I think it is going to be next up on our reading list. Thanks so much for the book idea!
Try this one. My favorite 5 year old loved it! http://showerofroses.blogspot.com/2010/10/ink-garden-of-brother-theopane.html
I’ll definitely try it! Thanks so much for the suggestion. We just finished Outlaws of Ravenhurst and are looking for another goodie!
Found you via Pinterest! I’m a Catholic young adult and middle grade author. If you’re ever interested in learning more about Catholic books (and I’m talking award-winners here, not dull, dry books!) for teens and tweens, please let me know. I’m in a group of Catholic authors that write for that age group called Books for Catholic Teens. We have tons to share! 🙂
Thanks, AJ! We are now just getting into the early tween years. I’m grateful to know there are things like that out there!
Hello AJ! I am also a ‘tween/middle grade author of Catholic books (Olivia and the Little Way, Olivia’s Gift, and The Gate.) All of them are taught in Catholic schools across the country. I would love to hear more about your group; it would be great to talk to others with the same interest! God bless!
We own Olivia and the Little Way and my son read and enjoyed it. It is on my to read someday list! I’m so grateful to authors like you who expand the horizon of Catholic books!