Genre
Audience
Ages 3-6
Author’s Worldview
Catholic
Year Published
Themes
Prayer, Kindness, Charity, Angels, Blessings, Heaven, bedtime stories, hand-drawn illustrations
Reviewed by
A.R.K. Watson
This book’s simple and short sentences make it an excellent book to read at bedtime. Much like the children’s song “Five Little Monkeys,” this book can be a fun way to practice counting, and all the silly tumbles the angels make are opportunities to laugh, engage your child in reacting, “Oh no!”, “Uh oh!” or “Silly Angel!” using whatever level of language development they are currently in.
Five little angels dance in the sky whenever the humans below perform an act of charity or kindness, but with each dance, one gets over excited and trips or takes a tumble. The sight of three children bringing gifts to a sick friend makes one spin off from joy. When some other children build their mother a flower crown, another angel becomes so giddy, he stubs his toe dancing, and falls. Another is so overjoyed when some girls make up after fighting that she slips off the cloud. When only one angel is left, he goes to find his friends recovered from their tumbles and now dancing outside the window of a little child saying his prayers. On the last page the angels write into the sky, “Angels dance with joy for you oh beautiful child of God!”
The water-color illustrations in this book are cute and dreamlike. This is one of the books that my one-year-old likes to take down just to look at the pictures. The illustrator, Kolanovic has been nominated for the 2022 Hans Christian Andersen Award, and it is easy to see why. I also appreciate that the angels and the children in the book are all different races, hair types and skin tones, making this book inclusive for children of all a wide range of backgrounds.
With the exception of helping some turtles cross a busy road, the book is full of practical examples of kindness that children can practice in their own life and imagine making the angels dance with joy.
Join Here for FREE to Never Miss a Deal
Find new favorites & Support Catholic Authors
Sister Aloysius Says, “Pray, Pray, Pray.” By Linda Etchison Illustrated by Denise Plumlee-Tadlock
Sister Aloysius teaches children how to be active in their prayer life.
Molly McBride and the Party Invitation by Jean Schoonover-Egolf
This children’s book teaches compassion for bullies and the courage to act rightly regardless of others.
Sister Aloysius Comes to Mercyville By Linda Etchison, Illustrated by Denise Plumlee-Tadlock
A young nun teaches children how to offer up their daily irritations to God.
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson
Discover the far deeper, more salvific tale that Disney turned into romantic fluff.
Silly Sophie’s Summer Sunday Morning By: Alexandra Sizemore
Keep holy the Lord’s Day—joyfully–with Silly Sophie the Spaniel.
Bella’s Beautiful Miracle: A Caterpillar’s Journey by Kimberly Novak
What’s a little caterpillar to do when a storm carries her away? Build your child’s relationship with God and prepare them for first communion.
Will You Come to Mass by Susan Joy Bellavance, Illustrations by Sara Tang
This book helps your kids get into the right mindset for Mass.
Sister Aloysius Arrives at Our Lady of Sorrows By Linda Etchison, Illustrated by Denise Plumlee-Tadlock
Sister Aloysius teaches love and respect in the family through prayers to Mary.
God Made the Moonlight by Erin Broestl, Illustrated by Jean Schoonover-Egolf
A beautifully illustrated bedtime story that helps your child see the beauty of nature as God’s personal love letter to humanity
Sister Aloysius Gets Ready for the First Day of School By Linda Etchison Illustrated by Denise Plumlee-Tadlock
Sister Aloysius leans on the Divine Mercy of Jesus as she gets ready for school.
Why Reading Fiction Made Me a Better Catholic
How reading fiction became a crucial step in my conversion to the Catholic Church.
Cinderella by Charles Perrault
The true story of the Catholic saint who inspired the myth of Cinderella
Books to Pray With, March: For the New Martyrs
Every month in 2024 Pope Francis has a monthly prayer intention. Every month we will release a book list that will draw your heart and soul deeper into prayer on these topics.
Best of 2020
Yes some good things DID happen this year- Catholic creators have not let turmoil stop their mission.
Mary, Mystical Rose By, J.T. Frodin
Why is Mary called the Mystical Rose? An interactive children’s book.
Extraordinary! by Jacqueline Brown, Illustrated by Katie Anne Ennis
Make your child feel secure and loved by God and their Catholic family.
Feel-Good Books For Pandemic Summer
Book Therapy to chase the blues away
Zeal & Zest: Where to Begin with Hillaire Belloc
Belloc was known as a Catholic polemicist with a vicious talent for skewering his opponents. Anyone struggling to persevere as a Christian in the fields of journalism or media should read him. His children’s books have an acerbic humor that will appeal to bored veterans of political correctness, especially teens.
Mary, Seat of Wisdom By, J.T. Frodin
A child’s journey with Mary to discover why her heart is pierced.
Calling All Booklovers! – Editor Positions Open
Do you love reading books and getting other people to read them? Join our team and make your mark on today’s Catholic literary revival.
