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By: Nicole Lataif
Happy Tuesday, everyone! 
A special THANK YOU to Haley for featuring me as a guest! My name is Nicole Lataif and I’m the author of the children’s picture book, “I Forgive You: Love We Can Hear, Ask For and Give,” published by Pauline Books & Media.
Below are three Catholic children’s books that I think are divine (pardon the pun-I couldn’t resist!) and some thoughts on forgiveness.
BOOK #1: The Princess and the Kiss: A Story of God’s Gift of Purity by Jennie Bishop
Synopsis: A loving king and queen present their daughter with a gift from God – her first kiss – to keep or to give away. The wise girl waits for the man who is worthy of her precious gift. Where is he and how will she ever find him? The surprising answer in this marvelous parable will touch the heart of parent and child alike.
Review: A perfect modern-day fairytale with stunning classical artwork and a beautiful message. The princess doesn’t fall in love with a guy because he likes the sound of her voice (Ariel in Little Mermaid). She doesn’t fall in love with a guy who threatens her father and then locks her in a castle—(Belle in Beauty and the Beast). Or, a guy who steals from merchants, lies about it and then runs from the authorities—not to mention, has no legitimate job (Princess Jasmine in Aladdin). The prince in this book has developed his character before he meets his princess. He has saved his OWN kiss for the right princess!
BOOK #2: Where Is God? A Lift–the-Flap Book by Joni Oeltjenbruns
Synopsis: A myriad of animals help search for God in a game of hide and seek. The children take part in the fun by lifting the hidden flaps in this amusing search for God. God is finally found right where he’s always been–in our hearts!
Review: This book is for toddlers, but I think it’s a great reminder for adults: God is inside our hearts! Among the complexities, confusion and clutter of today’s world, this simple message is the heartbeat of our faith in Christ. Our actions reflect Christ’s spirit within us! “A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” –C.S. Lewis
BOOK #3: I Can Speak Bully written by Kevin Morrison, Illustrated by Mai S. Kemble
Synopsis: A tool for parents to bring their children on the journey of understanding bullies and helping them find the friendship and acceptance they are truly looking for.
Review: The boy in the story is being bullied, badly. The boy’s mother suggests that he ought to act as the bully’s friend. Eventually, showing the bully love changes his heart. I love the twist—the way this book gives a loving solution to a very difficult problem for kids. Bullies are likely victims of bullying at home. Young kids need to know that sometimes, love is the answer.
Thank you all for reading a bit about my favorite children’s books!
These reads are loaded with faith-filled lessons, including a few lessons on the topic of forgiveness. Whether you need to forgive your prince charming or you’ve wondered, “Where is God?”, when someone has wronged you, or you’ve been stuck in a bullying bind, understanding forgiveness is key. Children need your example of a forgiving heart in their lives to learn how to forgive. So, always keep forgiveness part of YOU!
More Food for Thought: teach kids to forgive: “A Little Forgiveness Goes a Long Way With Kids,” on CatholicMom.com and “5 Tips for Teaching Kids to Forgive: Catholic-Style!” on Patheos.com.
Nicole Lataif is the Founder and Editor of KidsFaithGarden.com and Author of the 2013 Catholic Press Association Award and 2013 Christopher Award winning book Forever You: A Book About Your Soul and Body, published by Pauline Books & Media. Forever You is also available in Spanish as Siempre Tu. Her second book, I Forgive You: Love We Can Hear, Ask For and Give teaches kids 4-8 what forgiveness is all about. Nicole is available for speaking engagements, school visits, interviews, and guest blogging. Media inquires may be sent to kidsfaithgardenonline@gmail.com
Pauline Books and Media has kindly offered three autographed copies of Nicole’s new book to Carrots readers! Just enter in the rafflecopter widget below:
One of our favorites is “Bob is a Unicorn” from Usborne.
Right now, our favorite book to read before bed is, Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker.
We love Little Blue Truck but are always looking for great Catholic kids books! Thanks for the suggestions!! Adding to Amazon wish list
Loving everything Dr. Seuss right now – most recently Dr. Seuss’s ABCs.
My favorite children’s book is “Big Red Barn.” It was the only one that kept my (then) 18-month-old, very rambunctuous son engaged from start to finish!
We love Fancy Nancy!
I love “The Weight of a Mass” by Josephine Nobisso. I share it with my First Communion class each year as well as read it to my children at home.
I just found “The Song of the King,” by Max Lucado and snatched it for my middle fairy-tale-lovin’ girl for Christmas this year!
All three of my children have LOVED Goodnight Gorilla. It has no words, so we tell the story as we see fit. I love hearing my 4 year old “read” it to my 9 month old. Too sweet!
Looking for a new favorite book! Goodnight Moon is a constant favorite.
One Wintry Night, is a beautiful retelling of salvation history, perfect for Advent. I just love reading it, a few pages a night each year.
My favorite book for night-night reading is Love You Forever. It is sweet and we have fallen in love with his other books as well.
Right now favorites are Nate the Great, Clifford the big Red Dog stories, and peekaboo!
I’m a
Ways interesting in finding great new books for my kids.
Little Critter books are popular here.
My favorite is “Interrupting Chicken.” I can do good character voices to Interrupting Chicken.
God Gave Us You is one of our favorites!
My daughter’s current favorite is The Body Book by Usborne.
I don’t remember the author but my favorites were always “Love you Forever” and “Are you my mother?”
I’ve always said books are the one thing I will not deny my children.
Toys can wait but I will more likely than not say yes to new books!
Too many favourites to list but we recently took out “You’re Lovable to Me” from the library and my voice cracked a few times the first time I read it out loud. Too sweet.
Always interested in hearing about some new books! Thanks!
And, our favorites books around our house right now have been Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You and It’s Time to Sleep, My Love for bedtime and a random pop-up pets book for daytime.
I think 3 in 1 is a fantastic book for explaining the Trinity to children using an apple.
The Night You were Born is a good one!
Hi Haley! Could you please fix the link in this article to I Forgive You? The link at the top of the page works, but the bottom one is broken. Sorry to comment, but not sure how else to reach you. THANK YOU!!! :):) Have a blessed rest of the week/weekend!
Fixed it! Thanks, Nicole!
Right now the kids are loving Christopher, The Holy Giant by Tomie DePaloa
“The Little Mouse, the red ripe strawberry, and the big hungry bear” by don and audrey wood, most things by tomie depaola, and all of mine have love st. george and the dragon by margaret hodges
This sounds great. Thanks for hosting!
Catholic Bible Stories
Mary loves hearing stories from her kid Bible before naptime and bedtime