A Handful of Picture Books from The Orthodox Children’s Press

The Orthodox Children’s Press offers picture books that are simultaneously instructional and heartwarming. Presvytera Angela Alatzakis has written and illustrated each of these books, and the reader can hear her heart for children in the gentle and loving way that she teaches through each one. Whether she is defining “our Church,” reminding each child how they became a beloved member of that Church, or offering suggestions for how each of us can be the best kind of Orthodox Christian by making our cross and praying, Prevytera Angela writes and draws with compassion.

Our Church tells how a parish comes to be, and how the people in the parish are the community that makes it beautiful. She introduces individuals who are part of the parish in the book, showing how they contribute to that community and add to its beauty. Through the voice of the young narrator, Presvytera Angela encourages the reader (regardless of age) to see how they are contributing to their own community, and to look for even more ways to do so. Our Church helps its readers to better appreciate their own parish, welcome others into it, and find ways to contribute to the life of their community.

The Story of You is the lovingly-told tale of how a young child is anticipated, welcomed into the world, brought to the Church on the 40th day, then baptized and chrismated into the Holy Orthodox Church. Presvytera Angela has written this book with parents as the narrators, speaking directly to their own child. Her gentle illustrations bring the story to life. Each child who hears (or reads) this story will know that they were loved and prayed for before they were even born, and that they are still loved and prayed for, every step of the way. They will better understand their early journey with God, and they will be reassured that He is with them always as they travel through life.

Every Time I Do My Cross visually walks beside a young boy as he goes through his day. He tells his own story, mentioning how every time he does his cross, it’s for something different. Sometimes he is being thankful. Sometimes he is asking God for help. Sometimes he’s wanting God to protect him, or keep him from being afraid. Sometimes he’s making the cross with others at home or at church. Other times he’s making it alone, on the soccer field, to remind himself to be the best Orthodox Christian that he can (even if his team doesn’t win). There is so much theology packed into this little book, and Presvytera Angela has written and illustrated it in such a way that young children can easily understand, and be encouraged to make their cross and pray when they come into similar situations.

Our Church, The Story of You, and Every Time I Do My Cross will be beneficial to each family that reads them together. It’s very likely that parents will be encouraged by these books, alongside their children. Sunday school teachers will find these three books helpful for certain lessons. If your parish has a library or a collection of books in the narthex for children to take into church with them, these three should be in those collections. The books are educational, but written so gently that the reader doesn’t feel that they are learning, and the illustrations are simple but engaging. All three of these books can be very helpful to have in hand.

Find copies of these three picture books at the following sites based on your needs: orders of multiple copies (5+, may be a combination of titles from The Orthodox Children’s Press) can be placed at https://www.orthodoxchildrenspress.com; orders of 1-4 copies should be placed through Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AAngela+Alatzakis&s=relevancerank&text=Angela+Alatzakis&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks The Orthodox Children’s Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.   

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “You are an Orthodox Christian” by Theofanis Sawabe, Illustrated by Vladimir Ilievski

Newrome Press’ picture book, You are an Orthodox Christian, helps its readers to better understand who they are, and gives them the chance to learn why/how to better value their faith. Theofanis Sawabe begins the book with, “You are an Orthodox Christian. Do you know what that means?” He begins to answer his own question by taking a look at Orthodoxy’s family tree, which stretches all the way back to Christ and His apostles. 

Page by page, Sawabe shows how Orthodox Christians through the years have carried the Faith so that we, today, can be part of it. He tells of their kindness to strangers, their courage in the face of impossible situations, their steadfastness in maintaining the Faith. He continues into modern times, showing how Orthodox Christians continue to carry and share their faith as they are able. He emphasizes that the reader (who he calls “dear child”) is part of this big Orthodox family, and that they are inheritors of a great blessing: the Holy Orthodox Faith.

Vladimir Ilievski has illustrated this book in a truly Orthodox manner. Almost every page features a saint (or more) whose life illustrates the words on that page. Readers may easily recognize the saints, as they look similar to their icons, but the saints’ illustrations also beautifully fit the style of the rest of the illustrations in the book.

You are an Orthodox Christian concludes with an appendix of several pages that tell abbreviated life stories of those saints and notes which previous page of the book features their image. This book offers the opportunity for readers to come away from it better appreciating their faith. Readers will also have learned more about twenty of the Church’s saints!

This book will be an excellent resource to families or Church schools. It encourages its readers to not just appreciate their faith, but to carry it on (as so many others have) for the generations to come. It is a book about family, the family of the Orthodox Church.

Find your copy of You are an Orthodox Christian here: https://newromepress.com/you-are-an-orthodox-christian/ 

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Beneath the Magnificent Dome” by Anna Iakovou, Illustrated by Spyros Gousis

It’s the year 1919. Constantinople has been under Turkish rule for more than 400 years, and the awe-inspiring Church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) is being used as a mosque. Beneath the Magnificent Dome, by Anna Iakovou, is told from the perspective of Nicholas, a young boy living and working in a pharmacy in Constantinople, who is accidentally in Hagia Sophia for the first liturgy celebrated there in 466 years!

This illustrated short story offers its readers a glimpse into life in Constantinople in the early 1900’s. The story is based on the real-life actions of Fr. Eleftherios Noufrakis (there is bibliographic information, including pictures from his life in the back of the book), and shows his determination and courage. Because Nicholas is “telling” the story, and he knows a lot of tales, this book also includes multiple stories that have been believed about Hagia Sophia over the years.

Older children, teens, and grownups alike will enjoy stepping back in time as they read Beneath the Magnificent Dome. Anna Iakovou’s believable storytelling has been fluidly translated by Dimitri Kagaras. Spyros Gousis’ occasional illustrations include just enough detail to add context and pique the readers’ curiosity. Somewhere between the words of the story and the illustrations, readers feel as though they are actually there, observing the events as they unfold.

Readers should not be surprised to find themselves doing a little research after reading this book, as they seek answers to questions they encounter as they read. For example, they may wonder, has the Divine Liturgy been celebrated in Hagia Sophia since this event? Whatever happened to Hagia Sophia’s Holy Table when the Church was overtaken? Were bees really part of Hagia Sophia’s original design? 

To read this story and encounter your own questions about it, you can obtain a copy of this book at https://newromepress.com/beneath-the-magnificent-dome/.

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Where is God?” by Dimitri Kepreotes, illustrated by Vladimir Ilievski

Have you ever spent your entire day looking for God? Where is God?, a board book written by Dimitri Kepreotes and illustrated by Vladimir Ilievski, was published in 2021 by Newrome Press, and it follows someone doing just that! The book begins with a young boy’s mother asking him where God is. Throughout the book, readers will follow the boy as he searches for God.

The boy looks for God all day, indoors and out. Not until he asks God for help does he find where He is… And knowing where God is pleases both the boy and his family.

The words of this board book have a pleasant-to-hear touch of rhyme. The illustrations are colorful and bold. They lead the reader to “see” God’s hand at work in the world around the young boy.

Readers of this book will find themselves looking for God… and will be pleased to know where He is!

Find your copy of this board book at https://newromepress.com/where-is-god-/

The Department of Christian Education thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.         

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

Two New Picture Books by Creative Orthodox

Fans of Creative Orthodox will be delighted to learn that two new books have joined the author’s other offerings! Michael Elgamal, the artist and author behind Creative Orthodox, first offered the graphic novels Anastasis (about Christ’s victory over death), and Forest in the Desert (about St. John the Short). Both are helpful tools for older children and lovers of graphic novels. Then he created My Saintly Friends, a coloring book about the saints, and Pope Kyrillos Loves to Pray, a board book especially for little ones. Now he has added two new picture books to help young children learn more about the Faith. 

Saint Antony & the Humble Leaflet is the story of the leaves on a palm branch, who each want to be the reason that St. Antony rests under their palm tree. What happens to the big, proud leaves? Does St. Antony rest under their tree? Which leaflet gets the most attention from St. Antony, and why? Readers will see the beauty in humility through the leaflets’ story, which is told in rhyme and playfully illustrated. The book also includes a prayer to St. Antony, and a brief retelling of his life story: all illustrated in the fun, engaging manner for which Creative Orthodox is known.

My Saintly Family takes a look at an Orthodox Christian family’s life in a way that young children can understand and appreciate. Colorful pages and rollicking rhymes (i.e.: “My family is my Church, my church is family, too. With Jesus in the middle, uniting me to you!”) One child of the family introduces the reader to the rest of their saintly family. Not until the part of the book called “About the Saintly Family” does the reader realize that they already know the family who is featured! Which saintly family is featured in this book? Read it to find out! The book includes a prayer asking for the saintly family’s prayers for the reader, an introduction to the real family featured in the book, and a QR code in the back that opens a page full of free, related, coloring pages!

Both Saint Antony & the Humble Leaflet and My Saintly Family will be read and enjoyed again and again. They are written in a way that is fun to read (or hear) and are joyfully illustrated with an appropriate touch of humor. Each has a positive message that will encourage readers to grow in the Faith. These books will be helpful to both families and church schools, and would make great gifts for young children!

You can buy Creative Orthodox books (and also find some free downloads/printables!) here: https://creativeorthodox.com/ 

The Department of Christian Education thanks Michael Elgamal of Creative Orthodox for providing copies of these books for us to review and share.

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

A Glimpse at “Brave Faithful and True” by Katherine Bolger Hyde, Illustrated by Gabriel Chaplin

Ancient Faith Publishing has just released a collection of stories called Brave Faithful and True, written by Katherine Bolger Hyde. Each chapter of this book is written from the perspective of a child in the Bible, granting a glimpse into what life was like for children in that time. Readers will feel that they have stepped back in time, gaining new understanding of the Bible’s stories about these children, by hearing the story “told” from the child’s point of view. Even those who have read these Bible stories time and again will come away with new insights. 

Old Testament stories included in the book are those of Isaac, Miriam, Samuel, David, Chamad (the Shunammite’s son – occasionally Hyde has selected appropriate names for the unnamed children about which she wrote – and Chamad means “desire”, showing how wanted he was), and Amah (means “maidservant”, the story of Naaman’s wife’s servant). The New Testament collection includes Mary, Jesus, Afonos (“speechless”, the boy with the mute spirit that Jesus healed when His disciples could not), Talitha (“little girl”, Jairus’ daughter), Nathan (“giver”, the boy who gave the five loaves and two fish that Jesus used to feed the 5,000), and Ignatius (named in Holy Tradition, but not in the Bible). The bulk of each chapter tells the child’s story from their perspective.

Each story begins with a line-art illustration that Gabriel Chaplin has carefully drawn. The illustration is almost iconographic in style, but includes small details from the story that readers will recognize after the reading. Hyde ends each chapter with an aside of sorts, offering the scripture references, the importance of that story, how this child’s story relates to (or points to) Christ, and other important lessons for the reader to glean from the child’s story. It also always includes encouraging words of how to apply that particular child’s experiences to one’s own life.

This book will be a beautiful read for older children who are taking steps to grow their Faith. It will be invaluable for families to read and discuss together. Sunday Church school teachers will find it helpful, as well: they could take half of a Church school year and study a different child each week, reading and discussing one of the 12 chapters. Many of the children are associated with a virtue, right in the title of their chapter, (for example, “Samuel the Obedient”). Teachers could create a lesson focused on that virtue as a second lesson, thus stretching the book even further through the Church school year. Homeschool groups could do the same. There are many, many ways for this book to be utilized in the home and classroom.

It is this reader’s opinion that this book will be a classic, read (and reread) by children and adults alike, for years to come. Every reader will come away encouraged and strengthened in their faith. Brave Faithful and True may have been written for and about children, but there is something for everyone in its pages.

Purchase your own copy of Brave Faithful and True at https://store.ancientfaith.com/brave-faithful-and-true-children-of-the-bible/ 

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

A Glimpse at “St. Casilda Brings the Bread” by Melinda Johnson, illustrated by Kristina Tartara

Melinda Johnson and Kristina Tartara have done it again! This author and illustrator have again beautifully collaborated, pairing Melinda’s words with Kristina’s illustrations and bringing a saint’s story to life for young children. The result is St. Casilda Brings the Bread, Saint Vladimir Seminary Press’ most recent board book.

Casilda is curious. Why do the Christians love their God so much that they’re willing to stay in prison for their faith? What could be better than freedom? The only way she can learn the answer to her question is to go into the prison and ask them. Casilda decides that it would be nice to take the Christians some bread in exchange for their answers to her questions. She is not allowed to bring food into the prison, however, so she hides the bread in her billowing skirt, and makes her way to the prison.

What happens when the guards of the prison ask Casilda what she is carrying in her skirt? Do they let her in to see the Christians, lock her up, or send her away? Will Casilda ever have an answer to her question?

This charmingly illustrated book tells the tale with simple, rollicking verse. Melinda’s cleverly selected words succinctly convey the events with language that even young children can understand. And the use of rhyme will make multiple readings more fun, as children will begin to predict what word comes at the end of the page, so they can “read” that word, by themselves!

Kristina’s engaging drawings add depth and richness to the tale. Her color choices make a particular development in the story really pop, particularly in the context of the dreary jail. This reader especially likes how Kristina chose to portray St. Casilda’s elegance (and is a huge fan of seeking out the two little mice that make an appearance on almost every spread).

Readers of St. Casilda Brings the Bread will come away from the book encouraged to find ways to ask questions; to help those in need even when it may seem dangerous or impossible; and to pray, for their prayers are heard regardless of where or when they pray.

Purchase your copy of St. Casilda Brings the Bread here: https://svspress.com/saint-casilda-brings-the-bread/ 

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

A Glimpse at “Lives of the Saints for Children: March: Friends of Christ” written by Demetrios and Anna Fotopoulos and illustrated by Paraskevi Hatzithanasi

Have you ever met someone who loved Christ so much that they gave all of their money (and even a really special gift from their own mother) to a rude poor person that kept on interrupting their work to ask for help? Do you know anyone whose friendship with Christ means even more to them than the happiness of being married and with their family? Newrome Press’ Lives of the Saints for Children: March: Friends of Christ will introduce you to two new saintly friends who did just that!

The March edition of Newrome Press’ twelve-book Friends of Christ series offers a beautifully illustrated hardcover volume that tells about the life of five saints commemorated in March. Lives of the Saints for Children: March: Friends of Christ was written by Demetrios and Anna Fotopoulos and illustrated by Paraskevi Hatzithanasi. It was carefully translated by Nicholas Palis, and printed in 2019.

The March volume of the Friends of Christ series tells its readers stories from the life of Venerable Lavrentios (commemorated March 7), St. Gregory the Dialogist (March 12), Venerable Alexios the Man of God (March 17), Venerable Serapion the Sidonite (March 21), and St. Ipatios Bishop of Gangra (March 31). In each saint’s story, readers will learn about what it is like to live as a holy, saintly person. They will be challenged to love others around them as Christ does. They will be “meeting” new friends that they will want to emulate in their own life.

Besides the stories of five holy friends of Christ, the book also includes additional helpful resources. Like the other editions in the series, this book starts with the morning prayer to one’s patron saint, and ends with the evening one. The “Friends of Christ Glossary” carefully explains the more challenging words in the book in a way that everyone can understand. The book also contains a large decal of one of Paraskevi Hazithanasi’s lovely illustrations.

This sturdy book will be useful for many March readings. Parents and Church school teachers alike will find the book helpful both for their own spiritual growth and as they educate and encourage the children in their care. Each story would make a great weekly family night reading or could be developed into a Sunday school lesson. Alternatively, each could be broken up and read a bit at a time over a period of days. The decal makes a great bookmark during the reading, but could also be added to a timeline on a wall or to a bulletin board. 

If you do not yet have a friend who relied on the prayers of his friends to convince a fierce dragon to follow him all the way to its death, you will want to read this book and meet such a friend! You will find Lives of the Saints for Children: March: Friends of Christ here: https://newromepress.com/friends-of-christ-march/

We thank Newrome Press for sharing this book with us, so that we can share it with you. 

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

A Glimpse at “Maria the Mother of God” by Athena Dasiou-Ioannou and illustrated by Christina Douligeri

Newrome Press offers a beautiful picture book about the Theotokos, Maria the Mother of God, written by Athena Dasiou-Ioannou, and illustrated by Christina Douligeri. This book takes its readers through the earthly life of Mary, the Theotokos. Young children will love it for its beautiful illustrations, and older children will learn much from the text, scriptures, and songs incorporated into its pages. 

Author Athena Dasiou-Ioannou’s experience in and love for teaching children is evident in the way that she weaves scripture and the hymns of the church into the book, seamlessly entwining them with the carefully-explained story. In this way, the familiar songs and scriptures that children hear in Church are tied in perfectly with the story, connecting the story of the Theotokos’ life with their own experiences in the Divine services. Mary’s Greek name, Maria, is used for most of the book, and many of the hymns are provided in both English and in Greek, which is beautiful for children who are learning to speak and read both languages. Some vocabulary words are gently introduced in the story line, and a handful are listed in a glossary at the back of the book.

Illustrator Christina Douligeri’s art for this book does more than merely bringing life and color to the story. The pictures are truly beautiful, and include many carefully-chosen details. Each illustration is filled with soul and emotion, while also including so many similarities to icons that it will help young readers to recognize the saints both in the book and in their icon.  

This book is a great resource for families and church schools alike. It can be read many times throughout the year, as the Church year passes and we celebrate the many feasts of the Mother of God. May she pray for all of us.

Find your copy of Maria the Mother of God, here: https://www.newromepress.com/youth/SQ0255202.html 

Thanks to Newrome Press for supplying us with a copy of this book so that we could write this review. 

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

A Glimpse at “Philo, Liv, Loulou, and the Peace SuperHoly” by Mireille Mishriky

Mireille Mishriky offers another gift to Orthodox children in the form of her new book Philo, Liv, Loulou, and the Peace SuperHoly. As in the other Philo books, S. Violette Palumbo’s engaging illustrations add to the story, bringing the children and their circumstances to life. Once again Mishriky’s words and Palumbo’s illustrations collaborate successfully in the book.

In this book, Philo and his cousins Liv and Loulou enjoy a fun time with their grandparents, followed by an adventurous campout in the attic of the girls’ home. Readers of previous books in the “Philo” series will not be surprised when Philo is reminded to activate the SuperHolies, who are available to help him live his Orthodox Christian life to the best of his ability. First-time “Philo” readers will learn that the SuperHolies are virtues, always ready to help Christians do the right thing; and that they are activated by making the sign of the Cross.

In Philo, Liv, Loulou, and the Peace SuperHoly, the three children realize that they need the Peace SuperHoly’s help to face a stressful event. The Peace SuperHoly immediately whispers suggestions into their hearts. As the children act on those peace-giving suggestions, they are able to successfully work together on a big project, unhindered by the unnerving event. 

Parents and children alike who read this story will find those practical suggestions for experiencing peace to be helpful in a variety of anxiety-laden situations. This small but mighty book also emphasizes working together, valuing family, and trusting God in all situations. All of this comes neatly wrapped inside a story that even young children will understand.

You can purchase this book here: https://www.amazon.com/Philo-Loulou-Peace-SuperHoly-SuperHolies/dp/1989379184

Kristina Wenger thanks Mireille Mishriky for the complementary ebook copy of this book, given so that this review could be written. Kristina is an educator, podcaster, and co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

To read Kristina’s reviews of the earlier books in the Philo and the SuperHolies series, visit these posts from Orthodox Christian Parenting:

A Handful of Resources – Summer 2018

Gleanings from a Book: “Philo and the Faithfulness SuperHoly” by Mireille Mishriky, Illustrated by S. Violette Palumbo