--- title: Two Charming New Catholic Picture Books description: "Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur reviews two new charming picture books by Gracie Jagla: stories that are a Catholic twist on a familiar theme." image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20251217%20PMacArthur%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/two-charming-new-catholic-picture-books#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Two Charming New Catholic Picture Books Dec 17, 2025 10:00:00 AM  |  by [Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/patrice-fagnant-macarthur) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20251217%20PMacArthur%201.png) *Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur reviews **two new charming picture books by Gracie Jagla: stories that are a Catholic twist on a familiar theme.* --- ## [*If the Pope Had a Puppy*](https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/if-the-pope-had-a-puppy.html) and [*If a Saint Had a Song*](https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/if-a-saint-had-a-song.html) By Gracie Jagla; illustrated by Sara Ugolotti Published by OSV Kids Anyone who has read *If You Give a Mouse a Cookie* (or any of the similar books) by Laura Numeroff knows how fun this type of story, where characters repeatedly get sidetracked, can be to read over and over again. Writer Gracie Jagla and illustrator Sara Ugolotti take that winning formula and apply it to a new set of Catholic picture books. The enjoyable text and whimsical illustrations combine for a delightful experience. [If the Pope had a Puppy](https://amzn.to/3KxkCQD) and [If a Saint Had a Song](https://amzn.to/3YgCr9H) are sure to become family favorites.  ![If the Pope Had a Puppy](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/If%20the%20Pope%20Had%20a%20Puppy.jpg?width=1156&height=1500&name=If%20the%20Pope%20Had%20a%20Puppy.jpg) ### [*If the Pope Had a Puppy*](https://amzn.to/3KxkCQD)  The pope has a puppy who leads him to the Sistine Chapel. He then gets hungry and has a big bowl of spaghetti, takes a nap, climbs a cupola, and joins a street parade. The pope blesses people as he makes his way, kicks a soccer ball with some children, borrows a penny to throw in the Trevi Fountain, gets gelato, teaches some children about Jesus, rides a bike around the city, visits the Colosseum, sees a kitty, and ultimately finds his puppy in his popemobile.     ![If a Saint Had a Song](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/If%20a%20Saint%20Had%20a%20Song.jpg?width=1171&height=1500&name=If%20a%20Saint%20Had%20a%20Song.jpg) ### [*If a Saint Had a Song* ](https://amzn.to/3YgCr9H) A saint begins to burst into song, prompting other saints to join in, including Saint Cecilia with the heavenly orchestra. Mary and Joseph, Saints Joachim and Anne, and Saints Louis and Zélie begin to dance. Mary decides to throw a party and sends the apostles to go fishing. They enjoy a swim while in the water, and the angels help them carry their fish. Saint Anthony helps to find decorations and Saint Philip Neri tells jokes. Jesus comes to join them, and all the saints burst into song.       Ask for these books at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, OSV Kids.   Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles. --- Copyright 2025 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Images: Canva This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of this piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our Catholic Mom writers in this way. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ftwo-charming-new-catholic-picture-books%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ftwo-charming-new-catholic-picture-books%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ftwo-charming-new-catholic-picture-books%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Two%20Charming%20New%20Catholic%20Picture%20Books) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ftwo-charming-new-catholic-picture-books%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Ftwo-charming-new-catholic-picture-books%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Patrice%20Fagnant-MacArthur%202024.jpg) ### [Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/patrice-fagnant-macarthur) Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has a master’s degree in applied theology and is the author of The Power of Forgiveness, Our Lady of La Salette: A Mother Weeps for Her Children, and The Life and Lessons of St. Zelie Martin. A mother of three, she is the editor of [TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com](http://TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com) as well as a [freelance writer and editor](http://Pfmacarthur.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Two Books for Catholics with Anxiety Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/two-books-for-catholics-with-anxiety) [ Make Your Home a Sanctuary Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/make-your-home-a-sanctuary) [ Book Review: Champions of the Rosary Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/08/17/book-review-champions-rosary) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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