Once in a while, Rorate reviews books for our readers we believe will be beneficial to them or their families, helping them grow in the Faith. We receive no compensation for this -- ever. We do it only as an act of charity, the same reason for which we take the time to run this blog.
Today's review is of the Angelus Press' "Painted Saints" -- a children's book written by Lucy Embury in 1938.
The back cover bills the book this way: "Thus begins the story of a young orphan boy in Marseilles, rescued and adopted by kindly Father Serrano, an old priest, and begins the adventure of what will become the most formative experience of his life. Marcel grows into a Catholic young man through the stories, fables, and legends of his people, and especially through the modeling of the small clay statues Father Serrano makes of the heroes of the Faith, his painted saints."
In a nutshell, this is a truly heartwarming story, and one completely improbably in today's troubled age. The main character, a young Marcel, is a homeless boy living under a bridge. When he meets the local pastor, he is adopted by him, and learns the priest's hobby of making and painting statues of saints, which later becomes his profession as a man and father.
The book, which was easily understandable by my six-year-old and liked but not fully comprehended by my younger children, is full of adventure, solid Catholic theology and truly does encourage virtue and duty in life.
You may purchase this fine book for the very reasonable price of $12.95 from Angelus Press by clicking here.
NB: If you are a publisher and wish for Rorate to review a book or item, please email athanasiuscatholic AT yahoo.com
NB: If you are a publisher and wish for Rorate to review a book or item, please email athanasiuscatholic AT yahoo.com
