The Mass Book for Children

Rating:
Summary: Mice at Mass?!
Review: With grace and charm, Gortler and Piscitelli once again draw preschoolers into the heart of the Catholic faith. This book is a bit more (and necessarily so) complex than their earlier books for young people, Little Acts of Grace and Just Like Mary.

I would suggest beginning with Little Acts of Grace, moving onto Just Like Mary, and then reading The Mass Book for Children. Then pray that inspiration will strike again and that Gortler and Piscitelli will write yet another book. The earlier books will prepare children for the Mass Book. For example, if a child doesn't know what the Sign of the Cross is, the explanation on pages 7 and 16 won't be as comprehensible. Ages four to seven would be the target audience.

Mimi Sternhagen's illustrations are appealing. When you cuddle up with a child to read the book, play "find the mice." This would be an excellent book for a child to take to the sacrifice of the Mass.

I wouldn't try to read the book at one sitting. Take your time to absorb it and discuss it. It's understandable but still irksome that some adults insist on speed reading to young children. Save the speed reading for the newspaper or boring material. Encourage children to remember Masses they've participated in. Ask questions. Who is in the "parade" at the beginning of each Mass? How do you genuflect? Why isn't our kitchen table an altar? What are some stories they know from the Old Testament? They will probably enjoy showing what they know.