Author: kreetzke

Orthodox Board Books by Angela Isaacs

| kreetzke
Goodnight Jesus published by Ancient Faith and illustrated by Nicolas Malara

This was the first Orthodox board book I ever saw or owned. We have gone through 2 copies amongst my 4 kids and I have gifted it to all my godsons and many of the kids at our parish. Note the bite marks and worn cover above! If you want a comforting, lyrical, and sturdy book for toddlers and babies, then this is an excellent choice.

The Myrrhbearing Women and Zacchaeus

With illustrations that are definitely Orthodox and a variety of familiar saints, this board book captures the attention of the littlest ones and is easily read out loud by emerging readers. An excellent bedtime go-to to focus our thoughts on God and family before rest.

A simple prayer: Lord have mercy.

In case you already own “Goodnight Jesus,” then another excellent addition to your liturgy bag or night stand is “I Pray Today.” We were gifted this by my youngest daughter’s godmother when she was baptized. In this book as the children go through their day from breakfast to bedtime, they repeat the prayer Lord have Mercy. This one is especially great for helping little ones memorize a short prayer or begin to pray for themselves. I also appreciate the various activities where the children turn to prayer to help them refocus.

As a Mama who loves to read, this book’s pleasant illustrations by Amandine Wanert make it one I don’t mind reading over and over again with my babies.

If you have kids under 5, then I would recommend you add this to your nightly rocking chair reading time. Or if you have many small children at your local parish, consider donating a copy of each to the church school nursery class teacher or if you have a basket of books for kids to look at during Liturgy, these are excellent choices!

Both can be purchased from the Ancient Faith Store: https://store.ancientfaith.com/goodnight-jesus-board-book/

Catherine’s Pascha by Charlotte Riggle

| kreetzke

My kids know when I pull out our copy of “Catherine’s Pascha” by Charlotte Riggle that I’m going to cry. I can’t help it. You might think that means this is a sad story, but in fact it’s the brightest story we could have in the Orthodox faith.

This book does an excellent job of viewing the Paschal Midnight Service from the eyes of a young girl (I would guess 8-10 years old), her family, and friends. What I love about this book is that on each page in the background is a different Orthodox Church from around the world. RJ Hughes takes us across the globe on that Holiest of nights when we as Orthodox celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.

Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Tokyo, Japan (background)

Catherine is determined to stay awake through the service with her best friend Elizabeth. They get up to normal kid stuff during Liturgy (dripping wax from their candles on their hands), which I appreciate as a mom of 4. This book is realistic in both the artwork and storyline, you can insert your family into this night of worship quite easily.

If you’re wondering about the part I cry in each read, it’s when the family is outside the church and the Priest knocks on the door and someone inside asks “Who is the King of Glory?!” Why does this part make me cry? It is one of my most vivid memories as a convert of my first Paschal celebration in 2008. It is also perhaps one of the most important services as Christians. Other than the Nativity service where we celebrate how Christ came into this world as both God and a babe, the defeat of death by his death and resurrection is key to our life in Christ as Orthodox Christians. He is the light and by his light we spread that to others through loving them in this life and worshipping him in both this world and the Three me to come.

“Lift up your gates so the King of Glory May come in!”

There are also some fun Pascha basket traditions in the book, Catherine’s mother makes Sticky Bubbies and my kids ask me every year to make them! Sticky Bunnies Recipe from the book: https://charlotteriggle.com/honey-bunnies/

Photo used with author Charlotte Riggle’s permission from her website.

I pray this book helps your family celebrate the night of Pascha year round and that it encourages you to have conversations with your children about our faith. -Kathryn Reetzke

“The Saint Nicolas Day Snow,” also by Charlotte Riggle and RJ Hughes

You can order Charlotte’s books from her site for bulk orders or follow the directions there: https://charlotteriggle.com/store/

Little Lost Nun by Melinda Johnson

| kreetzke
Little wooden nun by author and artist Annalisa Boyd, available at @ParkEndBooks.com as a set.

Nuns, both little and life-sized are featured in this book about two friends who overcome sadness and experience the resurrecting power of love.

My oldest making Sister Mary and Nun Anna as part of the #summerofthelittlelostnun activity.

I was honored to be asked to write an author’s review (and read the manuscript) of Little Lost Nun by Melinda Johnson before it was sent to the printer. My daughters and I had been talking about the book because we saw Melinda’s post about her sweet paper nun exploring nature and having adventures of her own. My daughters took to this hands on experience by making nuns of their own. Their nuns went on walks with them, smelled flowers in our garden, stood with us at prayer time, and my oldest even kept hers under her pillow to talk to at night.

Nun Anna stops to pick a flower.
Sister Mary slides with a friend.

This adventure with nuns was also an excellent opportunity to talk to my kids about Orthodox monasticism. Where we live we are a long trip away from a monastery and my kids haven’t experienced a visit to a monastery garden, as is described in this book. After we received our print copy my oldest daughter and I read a chapter each night before bed, learning with the two main characters, Nina and Tabitha how grace can cover a multitude of hurts. Nina and her mother visit the monastery for a women’s weekend retreat, Tabitha’s mom joins them on a whim and displays a flighty parenthood throughout the book.

Sister Mary and Nun Anna go to church.

I don’t want to give too much away about the plot or conclusion, but there is a thread of redemption, hope, and love throughout the story. Each girl has a contrasting family life and yet both are loved the same by Gerontissa (the monastery Abbess). This book is an excellent read along with your children or one for 8-12 year olds to read on their own. Make sure they have a little nun (wooden, paper, or fabric) to take them with on their adventures.

Little Lost Nun may be purchased directly from @ParkEndBooks.com here (with a nun): https://parkendbooks.com/shop/little-lost-nun-and-peg-doll-set/

Nun Anna eats a snack.

This Lent, Park End Books is doing a special “Lent with Little Lost Nun,” each Sunday my girls and I will sing, pray, and adventure with our nuns. Please join us!