New Catholic Board Book: Washed Clean

Karen Estep reviews the new book from Joyful Little Catholics, explaining why it makes an excellent gift for a newly baptized Catholic of any age.

Before converting this year, I looked up all the sacramentals that my husband and I could fully participate in so that we could get the most out of each Mass we attended. Having both been baptized, along with our children, we made sure to use the Holy Water font at the beginning and end of Mass. Doing this small sacramental action helps us as Christians to remember our baptism promises of being washed clean.

Washed Clean by Zach Hinger (published by JoyfulLittleCatholics.com) would make a great gift for anyone going through the sacrament of Baptism. Although, due to it being a board book, it is intended for young children, the language is so rich that even giving this to an older child or an adult would be appropriate as well. It is also a great reminder for adults about the sacrament that they have been through, are going to go through, or will witness at some point in their life.

The quote, “You eat with your eyes first” is also true with books. We are drawn to books based on the covers and what catches our eyes, even before we know the title or what the story will be about. What drew me to this board book is how nicely the illustrations are done. The calming blues with pops of yellow really help to tell the visual story with water, the baptism candle, and the light that Jesus is for us once we go through our Baptisms.

Even young children, although not able to fully read yet, will enjoy being able to point out the similarities of the pictures in the books to things they get to see at Mass and baptisms. If your children can be like mine and get a bit restless during Mass, you could take out this book and have them play “find and seek” with the pictures and items around your sanctuary.

Zack Hinger uses a lot of what we call in education "Tier 3 words," which is a great way to introduce kids to expanded language! For example, garment instead of dress/outfit. As an educator and a mom, I am always looking for books with very vivid and rich language. Also, Hinger writes in rhyme. Educationally and developmentally, rhyming is so important for young children. One way to read through this book would be for your child to point out all the rhyming words and then see if they can think of other words that also rhyme.

When I received Washed Clean, I knew immediately who I should give it to for their Baptism. We met a new friend while going through the RCIA process who wanted to be baptized. He was converting so that he and his fiancée will be married into the Catholic faith and will raise their children in the faith as well. I have gifted him this book so that he can hopefully one day share his Baptism story with his children and maybe this beautiful book will be passed down in their family.

Whether we enter into the sacrament of baptism as a baby, child, or adult it is important to remember why we are baptized. We are baptized so that we may be clean, fresh, and new, a part of God’s people, and a light for the world.

Copyright 2022 Karen Estep
Images: copyright 2022 Joyful Little Catholics, all rights reserved.