If you have children or grandchildren, you know that having children’s books in the house is a very important thing. Many of us probably buy the standard children’s book that has been read to children for many years such as Goodnight Moon, Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? (my favorite since I make a great Cow sound), and Guess How Much I Love You.
When my wife was pregnant with our first child, we both said to each other that we wanted to have the classic children’s books as well as newer children’s books with good messages, but we also wanted children’s books that pertained to our Catholic faith. One of the books that pertain to the Catholic faith that we love and will use with our child especially as he learns the alphabet is An Alphabet with Mary.
The book was given to us by friends at our parish sometime around our child’s Baptism. I had never heard of it nor did I know it existed, but that’s not saying much since my knowledge of children’s books prior to getting married was essentially nothing. As someone that has a devotion to Our Lady, I found this book to be very appealing and a great way to teach our children about both the alphabet, Our Lady, Jesus, and our Catholic faith.
The book is set-up by providing the alphabet and an event, apparition, or title of Our Lady that pertains to that letter. Some examples are:
A – Angel’s Joy – it teaches about the Annunciation
C – Carmel’s Crown – it teaches about Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Brown Scapular
G – Gate of Heaven – it teaches about Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego
P – Perpetual Help – it teaches about the famous icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Z – Zion’s Daughter – it teaches how Mary is known as the Daughter of Zion.
This children’s book can be used for and by your children for years. You can start reading it to them as infants, teach them the alphabet as they get older, and eventually, once your child starts reading chapter books, they can read this book and learn about Our Lady and Jesus on their own, which can make their faith even stronger.
The book is written and illustrated by George and Brenda Nippert. Joseph’s Heartprint is a division of Nippert and Co. Artworks. You can find all of their work at CatholicArtWorks.com. To purchase the book on Amazon, check it out here.
Our Lady, Mother of God…Pray for Us
