Christmas Storybooks from Saint Paul Center

Caitlan Rangel highly recommends these two new picture books from our friends at the Saint Paul Center.

These are two gems of children’s picture books—Beloved Son: Joseph and Jesus by Maura Roan McKeegan and The Shepherd at the Crib and the Cross by Patrick O’Hearn. 

My gut reaction to reading these books to my children is that I’m so grateful to live at a time when books like these are being written. The theology is strong, stories are engaging, and artwork is beautiful. This is the best kind of catechesis. 

Beloved Son written by Maura Roan McKeegan and illustrated by Ted Schluenderfritz is part of McKeegan’s amazing Old and New series. The books in this series explore biblical typology in picture-book format. In the words of St. Augustine, “The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old is unveiled in the New.” 

Beloved Son unveils connections between the lives of Joseph (the Old Testament dreamer and favorite son of Jacob) and Jesus. After we finished reading Beloved Son for the first time, I asked my 7year-old son what he thought. He said, “Wow! It’s cool to see how Joseph and Jesus have so many things that are the same!” 

Schluenderfritz’s illustrations are beautiful with natural colors, rich imagery, and captivating facial expressions. 

Finally, I think it is helpful for children to have some previous knowledge of Scripture before reading this book. Because my children already know the individual stories of Joseph and Jesus, the connections between Joseph and Jesus really came to life.

The Shepherd at the Crib and the Cross written by Patrick O’Hearn and illustrated by Michael Corsini is especially strong in its story and beautiful illustrations. The reader follows the shepherd boy, Nissim, from his first encounter with Jesus at the crib to a different kind of encounter with Jesus at the cross. This story ushers us into the great truth that Jesus was born to die for us, to save us. 

The illustrations by Corsini are gorgeous, especially through Corsini’s use of contrast between dark and light and in Corsini’s talent for captivating facial expressions. 

After reading The Shepherd at the Crib and the Cross, my daughter wanted to keep the book in bed with her to look at the illustrations and retell the story to herself as she turned the pages. 

These books are lovely additions to the family library for all times of the year!

What is your family's favorite Christmas picture book?

Copyright 2022 Caitlan Rangel
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