What is the Importance of Children’s Literature?
In the mid ‘80s, when I first read Father Quay’s The Christian Meaning of Human Sexuality, I was so taken with the beauty, wisdom and reverence of his message that I wrote to him and asked some questions. I wanted to know: Who was your mother and what did she do to have a son like you? And, What programs are you aware of that could help young people toward an understanding of human sexuality as described in your book? (I was still mistakenly thinking that I might locate the perfect program for education in human sexuality that I could then offer to the Catholic grade school that my children then attended. I have since learned that no such program exists, nor could exist.)
Father Quay replied. He did not say anything about his mother, and he was not aware of any “programs” to recommend, but he did say that he attributed much of his own youthful formation to the reading of good literature. He provided a few examples: first, the Scriptures, next, the Arthurian Legends, and third, the works of James Fenimore Cooper. He concluded with, “In short, anything that tells the truth about what it is to be a man, and what it is to be a woman.”
Ever since then, I have been on the lookout for literature that meets this standard. In addition to this standard, I have also collected titles that possess another characteristic of good literature; and this characteristic flows directly from the concepts elucidated in The Christian Meaning of Human Sexuality, namely, the ability to convey the notion that the physical world is never an end in itself, but is always a means of leading us to connection with a greater meaning and reality that lies beyond the visible. Most of these are titles I have shared with my own children and grandchildren. Some are out of print. Others are newly published.
This list will continually be expanded as I find time to post additional titles.
Recommendations are always welcome.
J.M. Fogassy
Ages 5 and up
Building the Way to Heaven ~ The Tower of Babel and Pentecost by Maura Roan McKeegan
The End of the Fiery Sword ~ Adam and Eve and Jesus and Mary by Maura Roan McKeegan
Into the Sea, Out of the Tomb ~ Jonah and Jesus by Maura Roan McKeegan
Absolutely delightful introductions to biblical typology through poetry, prose and art. The text and illustrations bring to light the “buried treasures that the Sacred Scriptures hold” by connecting Old Testament stories to their fulfillment in the New Testament.
The Weight of the Mass by Josephine Nobisso
The tale of a royal wedding, a poor beggar woman and the baker who makes the wedding cake, there are boundless connections to make between this story and the sacraments of Matrimony, Eucharist, Penance, and Holy Orders, plus the power of prayer, faith, persistence, forgiveness and love. This book is beyond delightful. It is a treasure! Be sure to read the commentary on the inside flap of the front cover. Also available in Spanish.
Take it to the Queen ~ a Tale of Hope by Josephine Nobisso
This book fully embodies the truism from The Christian Meaning of Human Sexuality that a mystery of faith can only be expressed in symbols. The panoply of meaning, symbols, sacraments, virtues, is rich and satisfying, and draws the reader to contemplate practically every dimension of the Christian faith. Be sure to read the text on the inside flap of the front cover.
There’s No Such Thing as a Dragon by Jack Kent 0-375-83208-4. Out of print.
An excellent introduction to the notion that a problem ignored does not go away but takes on a life of its own—to the detriment of all in the household. This book is a perfect conversation starter for a conversation on recognizing and telling the truth and the logical consequences of ignoring it. Various publishers since 1977, hard or soft cover, check online.
The Donkey’s Dream by Barbara Helen Berger 978-0-399-21233-8. Out of print.
Beautifully illustrated Christmas tale that introduces young hearts and eyes to a rich Marian symbolism through the eyes of a humble donkey.
Mary’s Stories by Charlotte Grossetete
Five key stories about Mary, based on Scripture, but tastefully expanded upon, walk the reader from Mary’s childhood to the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Wedding at Cana and finally, the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Hardcover
Angel Stories by Charlotte Grossetete
Jesus Stories by Charlotte Grossetete
The Gospel Told by the Animals by Benedicte Dellis & Eric Puybaret
Scripturally-based, but imaginative reflections, of twelve different animals on their encounters with Jesus, from His birth, through His public life, to His Resurrection. Hardcover.
Ages 8 and up
The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle
The Story of the Champions of the Round Table by Howard Pyle
The Story of Sir Launcelot and His Companions by Howard Pyle
The Story of the Grail and the Passing of Arthur by Howard Pyle
First published in the early 1900s, these are the best version of the King Arthur Legend. Includes some archaic language and vocabulary that may require a dictionary, but my boys (then 7 and 11) eagerly absorbed every word and were not at all put off by the style. Pyle’s version preserves all the richness of the Catholic faith and offers charming and instructive commentary on human weakness, failure, perseverance, forgiveness and virtue. Beware of other children’s versions. Some are skewed toward political correctness, and most have completely removed all reference to faith, church, prayer or the quest for holiness. Pyle’s books have been published numerous times with greatly varying quality of print and illustration. The print of some is too difficult to read and the illustrations of others are greatly corrupted. Barnes and Nobel offers a lovely leather-bound edition of the first volume for only $10, but it does not offer the other three.
Men of Iron by Howard Pyle
A classic medieval tale of redemption wherein a humble youth discovers, through hard work and honest living, that he really is the son of nobility.
Emily Dickenson ~ Poetry for Young People edited by Frances Schoonmaker Bolin
Beautiful color illustrations accompany thirty-five short poems—each one a gem for the imagination. Hardcover.
Ages 14 and up
The Deerslayer by James Fenimore Cooper
The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
The Pathfinder by James Fenimore Cooper
Available either as one volume or as separate volumes, these are the first three of five historical novels (The Leatherstocking Tales) recounting the adventures of Natty (Nathaniel) Bumppo and his Mohican companion, Chingcachgook, as they roam the New York frontier in the mid 1700s.These three titles encompass Natty’s early and middle years, while the other two cover his maturity and old age. Natty is given different names—Hawkeye, Deerslayer, Pathfinder—in the various volumes—but they are all the same character. Often in stilted language, sometimes with barely believable contrivances, and frequently overladen with ponderous descriptive passages, Cooper weaves a tale that continues to fascinate readers—especially young males—nearly a century after its creation. Note that the Hollywood versions of these stories have often been greatly altered.