Genre

Children’s Literature

Audience

Children, Young Families

Author’s Worldview

Catholic

Year Published

2022

Themes

prayer, personal relationship to God, struggle, journey, healing, transformation, purpose, grace, miracles, scripture, friendship, blessings, trauma, catapillars

 

Reviewed by

Dr. Lisa Theus

Happy, colorful Bella the Caterpillar meets with a horrible surprise one day: a storm whisks her away from her home. She wakes up lost. Her colors have been drained. All she has is a strange new friend, the snail Mira, who promises to travel with her on her journey. Without any other choice, Bella agrees to the company. Together, they make other new friends, and Bella relearns the joy of prayer. Her renewed relationship with God and a newfound knowledge of Scripture allow her to face her fear of change: just in time, because Bella the Caterpillar has one more giant adventure before her that she can only get through with the help of God and her friends.

Bella’s Beautiful Miracle is a very sweet chapter book for young children. It tells a universal story in a simple way: someone learns how to overcome personal loss and trauma thanks to the support of God and her community. She begins to see the blessings of God all around her. The cast of characters is earnest and kind. The book really is ideal for young readers: the writing is straightforward; there is a bit of suspense without any scary tension or enemies; and everything ends up great for everyone. For some readers, it might even be too sweet, so be advised if you’re reading with older children.

The story also reads well for Christians of any denomination. It focuses strictly on building a personal relationship with God and allowing his grace into your life. It does mention Jesus a couple of times, but it doesn’t get into any theology or doctrine, including no mention of why the Cross is a significant symbol. It could have easily been written by a Protestant or a Catholic, and there are even scenes that feel more stereotypically Protestant, such as Bella’s public “testifying” about her relationship with God. Bella’s Beautiful Miracle is great for a Kindergarten or first grade faith formation or Sunday school class – an age where the focus is getting kids used to saying their prayers and building a relationship with God, before getting into the deeper theology of First Communion.

Overall a heartwarming, charming tale, Bella’s Beautiful Miracle offers innocent and young-at-heart readers a valuable lesson in letting go and letting God transform you (and your fears) into His next miracle.

Papa and the Little Queen by Kathleen Vincenz

What will St. Thérèse and Papa discover on their walk through town?

Best of 2020

Yes some good things DID happen this year- Catholic creators have not let turmoil stop their mission.

Why Reading Fiction Made Me a Better Catholic

How reading fiction became a crucial step in my conversion to the Catholic Church.

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.

The Book of Saints and Heroes By Andrew & Lenora Lang

Ancient tales of Saints and Heroes retold for Victorians, reprinted for us.

Mary, Mystical Rose By, J.T. Frodin

Why is Mary called the Mystical Rose? An interactive children’s book.

My Name is Philomena By Fr. Peregrine Fletcher, O. Praem

Who was St. Philomena, daughter of light?

Feel-Good Books For Pandemic Summer

Book Therapy to chase the blues away

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.

Jesus Do You Want to Be My Friend? by Mark Restaino, Illustrations by J.P. Alcomendas

This delightful picture book lets young readers imagine the daily life of the Christ Child while also teaching simple prayers.

Extraordinary! by Jacqueline Brown, Illustrated by Katie Anne Ennis

Make your child feel secure and loved by God and their Catholic family.

Books for Lent

Deepen your Lenten reflection with these stories of repentance and forgiveness

Silly Sophie’s Summer Sunday Morning By: Alexandra Sizemore

Keep holy the Lord’s Day—joyfully–with Silly Sophie the Spaniel.

Kiss Me Goodnight By Maurice Prater, Illustrated by Cecilia Lawrence

A sweet story bedtime story about familial love.

2021 Summer Reading List for Preteens

Six series that are a must-have for your Preteen’s library ages 8-13

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.

August & September New Book Releases

Step into Fall with a Good Book

Good Morning God by Ginger Swift, Illustrated by Pamela Barbieri

This baby book teaches gratitude for God though it’s interactive pages.

The Rose and the Snake by Mark Restaino, Illustrated by J.P. Alcemendas

This thought-provoking children’s tale is tailor made to improve reading comprehension and teach a child where real self-worth comes from.