Picture Book of Saints: Illustrated Lives of the Saints for Young and Old Hardcover – January 1, 1979

The book itself is beautiful. The Semi-Hardcover is a lovely and unexpected touch. The pictures inside are beautiful as well; a bit hyped-up perhaps, but beautiful. If you are Catholic, this is the book for you. I was raised Catholic. I am Protestant now and this is STILL a wonderful book. The writing is VERY Catholic, which is no surprise.The only thing I noticed that I did not like is that nearly every saint featured sought to become a priest or a nun at an early age. The only saint that was ever married (St. Rita), WANTED to become a nun but married and had a family only to please her mother. This suggests that the Catholic church places such a high value on religious service (being a priest or a nun) that you are less good if you are not a priest or a nun. I completely dis-agree with that idea. If you are a good parent, or you treat other people in a good way, YOU are a good person for that. This world of ours can use all the good people it can get and we should all do our best to be that good person. Who says you have to be a PRIEST or a NUN to be that good person. Well, the Catholic church kinda does.This is a beautiful book and it makes lovely reading. It leaves you with the feeling that there ARE good people in the world. Most of the people were plain, ordinary people, who were good and nice, at a time when most were not. This is the main thing that made these people different from the rest.But, don't let this book trick you into thinking that PRIESTS and NUNS are the only good people in this world.(I guess the Pope won't be sending ME a birthday card anytime soon)Thank You for taking the time to read this.

I bought this book to give my godson/nephew for his First Holy Communion. I love Saint stories, and I was impressed with this particular book’s art. My nephew is a reader, so I thought this would be a great way to get him interested and excited about our faith. My husband saw it sitting on the table (before giving it to our nephew), and he said, “I had the same book when I was little!” This shows this book is timeless!

I had this book as a child. Love it so much. So happy to find it. Came in perfect condition. Thank you!!

product is well made grew up with the set of smaller picture book

I love this book! Beautifully colorful and informative - each page a different Catholic Saint. I had a paperback yrs ago for my older son who now has it at home with my grandchildren. Now I have another son in 11th grade working toward the Catholic Sacrament of Confirmation in May. The kids choose a Saint to add to their full name. This is the hardback version and it's gorgeous. This is written for all ages - big print and big colorful artwork. Don't hesitate to add this to your Catholic library! It would appeal to any age over 6!

Here is the full text of the Saint's story in question:"Peter Claver was a Spanish Jesuit. He was sent to Cartagena in South America where he spent forty years in this great slave market of the West Indies, laboring for the salvation of African Negroes. He consecrated himself by vow to the salvation of those ignorant and miserable people, and he called himself "the slave of the slaves." He was their apostle, father, physician, and friend. When news arrived of a slave ship coming into port, Peter would go on board at once and bring comfort to his dear slaves. He fed and clothed them and nursed them with the greatest tenderness in their ugly diseases. It is said that he baptized forty thousand Negro slaves before he went to his reward in 1654. Peter would say, "We must speak to them (the Negroes) with our hands by giving before we try to speak to them with our lips." He organized charitable societies among the Spanish people in Cartagena just as St. VIncent de Paul did in Paris. Prayer: O God, You conferred on St. Peter Claver a remarkable love and patience to help Your enslaved people and bring them to a knowledge of Your Name. Through his intercession, help us to seek equality for all races."

We use this with our kids (ages 12, 9, and 2) as part of our family catechism lesson daily. Wonderful resource to become familiar with the lives of the saints. It includes and image and a few paragraphs about their lives. Just enough for a quick daily encounter and enough to use as a jumping off point for a more detailed lesson. Love this!

The perfect gift for a baptism or first communion. My husband received this exact book from his grandma years ago and wanted to make sure the special children in our lives receive it too. Beautiful photos and nice soft hardcover.