Paperback Picture 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/

The Suitcase, by Jane G. Meyer

| Melinda Johnson
The Suitcase - A Story About Giving

The Suitcase: A Story About Giving is an original. It’s a child’s-eye view of the human spiritual journey, reduced to the most practical, tangible terms and yet still transcendent and full of light. It’s understated, luminously illustrated, and full of significant detail.

If I’d read this book as a child, I would have gone straight out to find my suitcase and gather the same real-life treasures to put into it that Thomas found. As an adult and a parent, I’m reflecting on how I’d respond to a child who came to me with this suitcase and these questions. And I’m seeing some fun activities that would grow quite naturally out of reading this story with children. At home or in Sunday school, The Suitcase blossoms easily into a treasure hunt, a conversation about the usefulness of everyday objects, and a foray into the ways we can add spiritual meaning to our actions.

The text lends itself to read-aloud time but is also accessible to early independent readers. One other note – I loved the description of Thomas being his “typical unusual self.” It’s a good description of Thomas and a gentle reminder that all of us are typically unusual. Our quirks and idiosyncrasies are the ways our inward journeys show themselves to the outside world. Love that.

This book is available on Amazon in paperback and ebook editions.

Learn more about Jane G. Meyer and her books here!