Book Review -How the Angels Got Their Wings, by Anthony DeStefano

Illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo, Sophia Institute Press, 2022.

Reviewed by Rosa Sautner, Catholic homeschooling mom of two.

This is another of Anthony DeStefano's beautiful picture books for children.  In this story, he tells how the angels were created, how some of them fell, and how God in His goodness gave each of us a Guardian Angel.

Whenever I see a book about angels I am always concerned that the illustrator should correctly depict them.  Angels do not have bodies, so what is the correct representation of them?  Well, each time angels appear in Sacred Scripture they appear as strong young men.

Happily, that is how the Antonio Javier Caparo represented them in this lovely picture book.  The angels are depicted as young men and many of them in battle uniforms.  They look strong and handsome.

Anthony DeStefano's easy rhymes will help younger children appreciate the story of the angels.  It will also give them an awe for these holy beings that God in His Goodness and Wisdom has given to each one of us to be our helper and guide on our journey to Heaven.

This beautifully illustrated book is highly recommended as a gift for children on the Feast of the Guardian Angels (October 2), or the Feast of the Archangels (September 29), or any child's birthday.

https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/how-the-angels-got-their-wings 

Book Review: The Lenten Cookbook, by David Geisser with essays by Scott Hahn, Sophia Institute Press, 2021.

This book is a beautiful addition to the whole-hearted observance of Lenten fasts.  Lent is that sacred time in the Liturgical Year where we focus on the three pillars of Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.

Scott Hahn, Professor of Biblical Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, writes the introduction to this unique cookbook.  In it he traces the history of fasting in the life of the Church. 

Drawing from Biblical sources, and Sacred Tradition, he carefully explains the reason and motives of fasting in the Church and in Her Liturgy. The essays explain the tradition of fasting throughout the year and on those special days of the Church's calendar such as the Ember Days and of course, Lent.

This exquisitely illustrated book is a cookbook by David Geisser, author of The Vatican Cookbook and The Vatican Christmas Cookbook.  He is a former Swiss Guard and an award-winning chef.  The simple and delicious recipes will give the readers many ways to eat meatless meals that are both tasty and nutritious.  Some of the unique recipes include Lentil and Eggplant Moussaka, Cottage Cheese Frittata with Cucumber and Radish Dip, Eggplant au Gratin, Spinach Quiche, and Marinated Artichokes with Pine Nut Cream.  He also includes various bread recipes to round out the Lenten table:  Flatbread, Potato Bread, Hot Cross Bun recipes, as well as many breakfast offerings such as Muffins with Dates, and Baked Muesli.

This fascinating book will not only be a treasure for the family because of its detailed explanation of fasting, but will be a most welcome addition to the family meals during Lent.

Highly recommended reading for Lent.

The Lenten Cookbook

Reviewed by Rosa Sautner, a Catholic homeschooling mother of two girls.

Book Review -Spirit and Life

by Rose Rea, Sophia Institute Press, 2021.

This a beautifully illustrated book that highlights and explains the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church:  Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

Each sacrament is explained in easy to understand prose, and supported by quotes from the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the writings of the Saints.  It also includes various stories from different persons from various perspectives, all with a love and veneration of the sacraments.  Each of these elements adds to the beauty and deep dimension of the sacraments.

This books is colorful, exquisitely illustrated and will make a lovely coffee table book or perfect gift, just interesting and long enough to hold the attention of readers of almost any age.

Reviewed by Rosa Sautner, Catholic homeschooling mother of two.

Spirit and Life

Book Review -Classic Bible Comics

Adapted by Stanley Silverstein, Sophia Institute Press, 2021.

This Bible comic book is a reprint of the 1974 Peter Pan Children's Bible Storybook. The illustrations are classic and vividly colored.  The print is very readable.  It contains twenty-three of the most loved Bible stories for children of all ages, such as David and Goliath, the Great Flood, Adam and Eve, and of course, the Nativity.

Beautifully illustrated and classic, this 80+  page book will make a charming gift for a youngster in your life.

Reviewed by Rosa Sautner, Catholic homeschooling mother of two. Classic Bible Comics

Book Review -All You Holy Women Pray for Us

by Adam and Angela Smyth, Sophia Institute Press, 2021.

This sweet little board book will make a perfect gift for a new or expectant mother, especially if she is expecting a girl.  This little book, so perfect for little hands, contains bright and cheery images of eight women saints.  This little sturdy book will make a wonderful introduction to beloved saints at an early age.

The eight women saints are St. Faustina, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Cecilia, St Kateri, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St Joan of Arc, St Josephine Bakhita, and St. Therese of Lisieux.  Each saint is drawn to captivate a small child with its bright and cheery colors and happy faces.  The poem for each is so melodic that it will soon become a favorite for any little child.

The rhyming verses are so flowing and musical, I plan to have my twins memorize them.  This is a delightful little book and I was very charmed by it.

A truly precious little book that is highly recommend.

Reviewed by Rosa Sautner, Catholic homeschooling mother of two.

All You Holy Women Pray for us

Book Review - The Thief Who Stole Heaven

 

by Raymond Arroyo, illustrated by Randy Gallegos, Sophia Institute Press, 2021.

Reviewed by Rosa Sautner, Catholic homeschooling mother of two.

    This story of the Good Thief may be more than just legend having been mentioned in some apocryphal accounts.  Written for children in a very dramatically illustrated picture book, Raymond Arroyo weaves together this tale of a young thief who becomes the first conquest of Christ on the Cross.

    I first heard of how the Good Thief "stole" Heaven from none other than the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.  In one of his Lenten talks he makes the connection that one who was a thief his whole life would die a thief by stealing Heaven at the last moment of his life.

    This touching story is retold for children by bestselling author and EWTN host, Raymond Arroyo.  This colorfully illustrated picture book captures the drama of Dismas' life and hard times and final redemption on the cross.

    The book imaginatively follows Dismas' life from a childhood of sadness, misfortune, and wrong-doing and chance encounter with the Holy Family to his final meeting with Christ on the cross.

    This is a worthy addition to children's Lenten book collection.  I loved the story.  However, my only disappointment with the book was the illustrations of the Blessed Mother.   I would have liked to have seen her drawn more beautifully, more serenely.

The Thief Who Stole Heaven

The Vatican Christmas Cookbook, by David Geisser and Thomas Kelly, Sophia Institute Press, 2020.

Book review by Rosa M. Sautner, Catholic Homeschooling Mom of Two. 

 

A sequel to The Vatican Cookbook also by David Geisser, this Christmas edition is worthy of its name. Exquisitely illustrated, with delicious, inspiring recipes, this gorgeous cookbook deserves a place of honor in your kitchen. 

The recipes are categorized into Advent, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Christmas around the World, and Epiphany recipes. Some of the outstanding recipes include: Pumpkin Soup Amaretto, Polish Borscht, Filet Mignon with Racy Pepper Sauce, Roasted Trout with Fennel and Baguette, Ricotta Lemon Ravioli, Maple Cream Cake, and Chocolate Cake Surprise. 

Between the pages of the more than seventy recipes you will find full-color photographs of the Swiss Guards, the Vatican, four of the Popes, religious paintings, and an illustration of every recipe in the cookbook. 

For that very special cook in your life (or for yourself!), this is the perfect gift. Beautifully bound, delightfully illustrated, and filled with delicious recipes, this is one of the most beautiful cookbooks I have ever seen.  

Book

The Spider Who Saved Christmas, by Raymond Arroyo, Illustrated by Randy Gallegos, Sophia Institute Press, 2020.

Book review by Rosa M. Sautner, Catholic Homeschooling Mom of two. 

 

by Raymond Arroyo, a New York Times Best-Selling Author, spins a magical tale in this story about The Spider Who Saved Christmas. Sweet and inspiring, this story explains the meaning of the Christmas tinsel, and gives a lesson of seeing God's action and providence in the most insignificant details and dark moments of our lives. 

The tale is captivating and the illustrations haunting. This splendidly told legend will inspire and move its young readers. It will make a cherished addition to your family's Christmas book collection.  

Book

The Grumpy Old Ox by Anthony DeStefano., Illustrated by Richard Cowdrey, Sophia Institute Press, 2020.

 by Rosa M. Sautner:  Catholic Homeschooling mom of two.

 

This is another delightful book by Anthony DeStefano.  This rhyming picture book is the tale of a blind, disgruntled ox who comes to learn the meaning of unselfishness in the birth of the Savior on that cold night in Bethlehem so many years ago.

    With colorful illustrations and easy cadence, this new Christmas book will surely be a favorite addition to your family's Christmas book collection.


 

Book

A Family Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Kathleen Beckman, L.H.S., Sophia Institute Press, 2020.

 Reviewed by Rosa Sautner, a Catholic  homeschooling mother of two.

 

In a letter to Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, then Archbishop of Bologna, Italy, Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the three seers of Fatima said, ‘The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about Marriage and the Family.’ (CNA. (2016). Fatima visionary predicted 'final battle' would be over marriage, family.  https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/fatima-visionary-predicted-final-battle-would-be-over-marriage-family-17760)

    It is no surprise then that we are seeing such unrelenting attacks on marriage, the family, and children.  We are in a warfare, the battle between good and evil, between Christ and the devil.

    Kathleen Beckman has done families a great service by compiling this resource of strategies and prayers for protecting families against the attacks of the devil.  

    In this book the reader will find "Five Common Entryways for Demons" (p. 54), "The Six Categories of Demonic Activity" (p. 91), "The Ten Commandments and The Diabolical Counterparts" (p. 127), and "Unmasking Diabolical Disguises" (p. 173.)

    Chapter 8, "Unmasking Dangerous Diabolical Disguises" is exceptionally useful in explaining some common ways that the devil insinuates himself into the lives of unsuspecting people who sometimes unwittingly play the devil's game.

    A particularly instructive and rather chilling part of the book is Appendix B "Family Deliverance Case Histories," where Kathleen Beckman explains how certain sins can draw down the influence of the devil in a family.

    This book is highly recommended and I would go so far as to say that it should be required reading for every family today.