A Moment with Emily Stimpson Chapman, Coauthor of Mary, Mother of All

Laura Range reviews a gorgeous new children’s book about Mary and discusses the story behind it with one of the book's co-authors.

I'm not a perfect mom. The more I practice this vocation, the more I see the gaps in my motherhood and my great need for God's grace and guidance as I parent these precious little souls entrusted to me. I’m so grateful God has equipped each one of us imperfect mothers not only with His grace and mercy, but also with a Heavenly Mother who IS perfect! We can help our children get to know Mother Mary so that even when we fail to be the mom they need at different times in their lives, there will always be another Mother they can go to who will never fail them.

One way to introduce our children to Mary is through books. Scott Hahn and Emily Stimpson Chapman have teamed up to write Mary, Mother of All, a children's book that weaves Marian theology into a rich lyrical rhyme that teaches, comforts and inspires even the youngest listener. Beginning with the story of Creation and the fall of Eve, the book shows the depth of God's plan for Mary more than any other children's book I've read on Our Lady, including how her "yes" reversed the "no" of Eve, and how from the cross He gave her to all of us as a universal mother. My favorite part was the gentle invitation at the end to go to Mary with any burden or need. It makes me tear up every time!

She holds you too, in your darkest night. ...

Nothing you say, nothing you do, could change Mama Mary's love for you.

This book would make a beautiful addition to your child's Easter basket. Younger listeners will appreciate the lovely illustrations by Tricia Dugat and the pleasant rhymes about their heavenly Mama, while older readers will find the story a springboard for further discussion on Mary's role in salvation history and in our personal lives.

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Author Emily Stimpson Chapman was so gracious to share more with me about how this book came to be. Her wisdom and insight will stir in you a desire to grow close to Our Lady—and a desire to buy this book.

I'd love to hear how this beautiful book came to be. There are many Catholic children's books about Mary, especially stories of her in the Bible or of her apparitions to Lourdes or Guadalupe. What do you think makes Mary, Mother of All unique and what inspired you to write it?

There are a lot of beautiful books with stories of Mary in them, but nothing which helps children connect those stories to the larger story of salvation history. Scott, Tricia, and I didn’t just want to tell children stories about Mary. We wanted children to understand how other Bible stories they hear—about Adam and Eve, about Deborah, Esther, and Rahab, about Bathsheba, and the Ark of the Covenant—help us understand who Mary is and what her great role in our salvation is. We also want them to know that her role in our salvation didn’t end with Jesus’ birth; it goes on for all time. Mary isn’t just a character in the Bible; she is a living woman, alive in Heaven, who has a deep and powerful love for our children. God’s plan for our salvation always involved her, always included her. And walking children through the story of that plan and helping them see how Mary fits into it can make her more real for them, fostering a living relationship with her.

How did you decide to co-author with Scott Hahn? How did that process work?

It was actually the idea of one of our wonderful editors at Emmaus Road Publishing. She believed there was a huge need for more theologically rich children’s books—books that were accessible for little ones, but also formative—and that turning some of Scott’s best-selling books into children’s books could meet that need. She and Scott then asked me if I would take the project on. I’ve worked with Scott in various capacities for 20 years now and know his work inside and out. Also, as both a writer and a mom of three young children I have a lot of opinions on children’s books. So, they figured I was the person to do it. I was hesitant at first; it was so different than anything I had done before. But I am so glad I said yes.

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I appreciated the depth of the Marian theology covered in this children's book, particularly Mary as the "New Eve." Why do you think it's important for children to be introduced to these Catholic teachings at a young age?

The Church’s rich Scriptural, doctrinal, and devotional treasures belong to children, too. They are their inheritance as Catholics, and we think it’s important to start introducing them to their inheritance at an early age. Not because they will understand it in all its complexities, but because introducing them to the language and concepts early on will make it easier for them to understand them as they grow. It gives them a familiarity with the landscape of salvation history, so they can navigate it more comfortably and confidently when they really begin to explore these teachings. With Mary, Mother of All in particular, we want them to know their mother, know the fullness of her story and role in salvation history, and most importantly, know that she loves them and is always there for them. Doing it all in rhyme, will hopefully help those lessons stick.

What have you found helpful in growing your own personal devotion to Mary? How do you encourage your children to develop a relationship with her as their heavenly mother?

I struggled with seeing Mary as my mother for many years. It was hard for me to see past the statues of her where she looked like a timid 15-year-old girl. I couldn’t see how someone like that could be a mother to me. Then, I saw the movie The Passion of Christ. In it, there is a scene where Mary is following Jesus along the Via Dolorosa. As she walks on one side of the street, Satan walks along the other side. At one point, they lock eyes. The look on Mary’s face wasn’t of surprise or fear; it was knowledge and determination. She knew who Satan was and she wasn’t afraid. She was strong, brave, and unwavering.

I realized at that moment, that in a sense Mary had stared Satan down every day of her life, never giving in to sin, always holding fast to God’s will, remaining committed to her part in His plan. She was the strongest woman who ever lived because her faith was the strongest of any woman who ever lived. That completely changed my relationship with her. Since then, I’ve always sought out images of Mary, which reflect not only her tenderness, but also her courage and strength. Our house is filled with them, and the children and I always talk about the strength of her love and how they can always trust her to pray for them and protect them and lead them to her Son. Conveying that in the book to other children was very important to me.

Ask for Mary, Mother of All at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, The Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

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