GOOD STORIES, WRITTEN BY A NUN

As promised, here is my post about Mother Melania and her wonderful books for children...

Chapel at Holy Assumption Monastery

Mother Melania, who I am blessed to call my friend, is the acting superior of the Orthodox community of Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga, California.  She has authored two series of children’s books:  her first series, "Halo Stories", includes the collections The Twelve Great Feasts for Children; The Three-Day Pascha Set; and Old Testament Stories for Children. These books all feature beautiful watercolor paintings done by artist and iconographer Bonnie Gillis.

On fire-preparedness day, the Duck Pond 

neighbors are all cleaning up – all except Greedy,

 a bit of a hoarder. His loot causes his home to 

burn, and he learns a difficult lesson.

"Good Neighbors", the newest series of books written by Mother Melania, teaches children about being good neighbors through the comical adventures of the animals who live around Duck Pond - who must often be saved from the consequences of their foolish choices by Fearless the Fire Duck. The illustrator for this whimsical series is Cayce Kruse Halsell.

The idea for these stories came when members of Mother Melania's former community - Saint Barbara Monastery in Santa Paula, CA - were evacuated from their monastery due to a fire that swept through the nearby mountains. On their way back home, some of the sisters stopped to buy small gifts for some children and brought home a rubber ducky sporting a fire hat. Immediately, he became Fearless the Fire Duck and soon he had a whole community of friends.

Mother Melania has partnered with THE BENEFACTORY, a 21 year-old publisher of wholesome, nurturing children’s stories. Together they have launched a unique opportunity for work-at-home-moms – who offer storytelling events in homes, schools, libraries and churches.  These storytellers sign on for their own home-based business, hold events for other parents or parents with children, read stories to the children, and set them up with art activities, while parents browse the products.

Mother Melania with some of her books...

Sales of all Mother Melania's book series are available through THE BENEFACTORY, and help support both Holy Assumption and St. Barbara Monasteries. (The Benefactory also publishes a third series of books, "True Friends" - written by various authors about animals, the sales of which benefit 12 nonprofit animal protection organizations.)  If you'd like information about becoming a Storyteller with The Benefactory or to order books, CLICK HERE.

OTHER BOOKS IN THE "GOOD NEIGHBORS" SERIES:
A vain and self-centered cat learns humility. In attempting to match the antics of a squirrel, Capers strands himself in a tree. Harry, his bloodhound pal, and Fearless the Fire Duck come to the rescue.

The only words Mimi seems to know are ‘me’ and ‘mine’ – until she is saved by others, during a neighborhood disaster. Through this she begins to think of others.

BOOKS BY CLAIRE BRANDENBURG, ABOUT MONKS AND PRAYER...

If you read my post about the book UNDER THE GRAPEVINE, by Chrissi Hart, then you've already been introduced to the beautiful artwork of Claire Brandenburg.  Claire, herself, has written and illustrated four beautiful children's books I'd like to mention today...



DANIEL AND THE LION (Conciliar Press) is a unique picture book, set in modern times, about an American boy named Daniel, who must face his own "Lion" - fear - brought on by a bully who has been picking on him at school.  Find out how Daniel receives help and comfort from not only his friends and family, but his guardian angel and the saints, in facing his fear.

"Jesus have mercy on me. I am really afraid of that Paul guy at school Help me.  Take away my fear"

THE MONK WHO GREW PRAYER (Conciliar Press)  I love this sweet, simple telling of a Monk who prays continually day and night as he goes about his tasks, such as working in his garden and chopping wood.

As he works, he is really growing prayer.

SONG OF THE TALANTON (Conciliar Press)  A visitor to a women's desert monastery is awoken early in the morning for prayer with the nuns by the rhythmic summons of the talanton.   (A talanton is a board used in monasteries for tapping out the call to prayer for different services during the day.)  This book comes with a wonderful audio CD.

THE TUMBLED STONE (New Varatec Publishing) In this beautifully told and illustrated tale, a pilgrim visiting Spruce Island (of St. Herman) in Alaska, finds a smooth stone that God uses to reveal to him the Saints of North America.

To learn more about Claire and all her books, visit her website.  Claire lives in Taos, New Mexico.

A POCKETFUL OF SEEDS

In some of my past blog posts, I've mentioned several children's books about planting seeds: THE CARROT SEED, by Ruth Krauss; MISS RUMPHIUS, by Barbara Cooney; and JOHNNY APPLESEED, by Reeve Lindburgh. The main characters in these books are almost on a kind of "mission", as they are steadfastly committed to scattering and planting seeds in order to better their world.

I am excited to share yet another book about the planting of seeds because in this story, the "mission" of the main characters is of a spiritual nature.
A POCKETFUL OF SEEDS, by Sylvia Leontaritis, is the tale of a boy who has been separated from his family in a war-torn village, and an old monk, "Papouli", from Mt. Athos - who happens to have some seeds, provided him by the Virgin Mary. "All he brought with him was a knapsack, his prayer rope and a pocketful of seeds."

This mystical and poetic story unfolds simply enough as the monk befriends the now homeless boy and they travel together planting the seeds; but if you realize that the seeds are a metaphor for monasteries and the "fruit" they bear, it takes on a much deeper tone and meaning. (This metaphor is hinted at by small sketches of monasteries that appear almost hidden in the tranquil illustrations, done by a Russian artist at Talanton Press).

Young children ages 4 and up and their parents will enjoy this "spiritual folktale" of faith and perseverance through prayer. Information about where this book is available is on Sylvia's website: http://www.sylvialeontaritis.com/. (click on "Books")