Have you figured out what's going in your children's Easter baskets this year? Why not tuck in a little something that's a real reminder of their faith, along with the jelly beans and chocolate bunny?

When I saw the prototypes for the Little Drops of Water figurines this past summer at the Catholic Marketing Network trade show, I was captivated. They are adorable!

Copyright 2016 Barb Szyszkiewicz. All rights reserved. Copyright 2016 Barb Szyszkiewicz. All rights reserved.

The founder of Little Drops of Water, Miguel Amaral, told me the fascinating story behind this product: it was dreamed up by his daughter, Anna, who's a young teenager now, and who wanted to help introduce the stories of the saints to her younger brother and his classmates. The figurines began as drawings and are available as now toys, charms, refrigerator magnets and snow globes. There's even a Nativity set coming soon!

little drops of water (3) sm From left: St. Michael the Archangel, Our Lady of Grace, St. Francis or Assisi and the Holy Family. Photo copyright 2016 Barb Szyszkiewicz, OFS. All rights reserved.

These cute little resin statues stand about 3 inches high and are just right for little hands to hold onto. Plus, they're not breakable like the religious statues my children were given as gifts. Those fragile statues were "look, but don't touch" items that had to be kept on high shelves, away from little hands--and little eyes couldn't see them (and still, somehow, the hands broke off the Blessed Mother.) Little Drops of Water are made to be handled by young children, and their cute little faces will make them irresistible.

At Eastertime, you might like the Divine Mercy fridge magnet! You'll also find such favorites as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope Francis, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Anthony, St. Patrick and St. Therese of Lisieux among the many collectible choices. In addition to the 24 statues in the original product line, 26 more are planned for this year and some of those are already available.

Check out their Facebook page for more photos, including pictures of statues in production--that was cool to see!

Little Drops of Water statues sell for about $15 and last a whole lot longer than a chocolate bunny! They'd be a great gift for First Communicants as well.

As for me, I've got the Holy Family statue sitting on my kitchen windowsill. What a great reminder to pray for my own family--and I don't have to worry that it will break if it falls down into the sink.

You can purchase Little Drops of Water at their online shop, through The Catholic Company or at your favorite religious-goods store.

Copyright 2016 Barb Szyszkiewicz, OFS