What's New

Old Sam, Dakota Trotter

Author(s): 
Don Alonzo Taylor
Illustrator(s): 
Lorence Bjorklund

Fresh and as exciting as the first time I read it, Old Sam, Dakota Trotter is one horse of a story!

10-year-old Johnny Scott and his inseparable younger brother, Lee, go on a series of adventures in the Dakota territory with their beloved horse, Old Sam. From collecting buffalo bones to catching thieves to the thrilling climax at the 4th of July trotting race, the reader experiences the joys of two boys discovering the wonders and excitement of prairie life in the Dakota territory in the 1880s.

Rosary Rummy

This is a lovely and inexpensive Rummy game that also teaches the mysteries of the rosary. It includes two colorful cards, illustrated with Old Masters paintings, for each 0f the twenty mysteries of the rosary. The Rummy game requires both matching and ordering the mysteries. Instructions are included.

Preparing your Child for Baptism

Author(s): 
Janet Schaeffler, OP

A concise, brief synopsis to aid parents regarding the Baptism of their children. The rite and symbols of this Sacrament are explained, and there is a page on the seven sacraments. In addition, there are scripture readings, prayers and some questions parents may have about he rite of Baptism as well as on Christian living. An interesting page offers "Suggestions of 8 ways to fulfill our Baptismal promises for year to come": I liked some of these, including the suggestion of celebrating baptismal anniversaries and talking to your children about their godparents.

Preparing your Child for Confirmation

Author(s): 
Janet Schaeffler, OP

This is a concise guide for parents of young people who are preparing to be confirmed. Questions and answers about confirmation names, sponsors and service projects are brought up, along with suggestions for family discussion and scripture readings.

The seven gifts as well as the twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit are highlighted with explanatory notes for the youth.

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style

Author(s): 
Andrew Pudewa

My daughter, Emily, announced, “The kids’ class [student writing workshop] is much funner than the teacher class.” Scratch that. I am “sure” she said “much more fun.”

She was referring to the student writing workshop for Teaching Writing: Structure and Style available on DVD.

Implemented by Andrew Pudewa, director of The Institute for Excellence in Writing, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style is a two day seminar where he demonstrates to the teacher/parent how to teach writing skills to school-age children through a step-by-step process.

Meat & Potatoes Catholicism

Author(s): 
Rev. Joseph F. Classen

Are you malnourished? Many Catholics feel that they don’t know the faith, they are spiritually malnourished. To satisfy your hunger for the faith, Fr. Classen wants to feed you the fundamentals of your faith in Meat & Potatoes Catholicism.

Determined to write a book that makes sense to those who sit in the pews, Fr. Classen has set out to educate you in the essentials of the faith. As he says, “We need to nourish ourselves and feed voraciously on the basic fundamentals of our Catholic faith and redefine the way we live our lives.”

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Title page of the play, from the first quarto
Author(s): 
William Shakespeare

We studied this Shakespeare comedy in 9th grade using an "interleaved" edition featuring the original text on one side and notes to clarify the meanings of archaic terms on the facing pages. Looking at the text on the pages was a little daunting, but it is amazing what a difference reading it aloud in class made. Suddenly the words were not so strange or difficult to follow any more, and as it is a play -- not a novel -- reading aloud really helped bring it to life. Our class was also able to attend a live outdoor performance, which further enhanced our study of the play.

Faith Charts: The Bible at a Glance

Author(s): 
Scott Hahn

When you study the Bible, do you find yourself confused by how what you're reading fits in with other parts of the Bible? Wouldn't it be nice to have an easy visual resource that helps you connect the pieces together and start to get a better sense of the whole?

This may be just what you're looking for. This colorful six-page laminated fold-out chart (written by Scott Hahn!) is a handy reference guide to have by your side when studying the Bible. It has brief, but helpful overviews on the following topics:

Jesus of Nazareth

Author(s): 
Pope Benedict XVI
Translator(s): 
Adrian J. Walker

It's rather lovely, I think that the Pope uses in his own book a phrase (which he applies to the parables of Jesus) which aptly describes this fascinating book: "...it not only or even primarily adds to what we know, but it changes our lives."