Eva K. Betz (1897–1968)

Saint Martin de Porres and the Mice is a short biography of Saint Martin de Porres, written for early readers. It's one step up from a picture book, with black-and-white illustrations on every page and large print text. It covers Martin's life from the beginning in a Peruvian slum through his many miracles, including that of the mice (whom he got to move out of the sacristy and into the garden), to his death and then culminates in his canonization as a saint in 1962. It's a very nice book, show more although some of the text has not aged well (it was originally published in 1963), most notably the use of "negro" once at the end of the book and a few references to how Martin had black skin on the outside but was pure white on the inside (black is beautiful anyone?). But this doesn't take away from the overall value of the book, and in a time in which finding books with minority protagonists is a big deal, a book about the son of an African slave and her Spanish master who rose to become a respected Dominican lay brother and healer cannot help but find an audience.

Highly recommended for those looking for Catholic books to take their children on the next step from reading picture books and those who enjoy vintage Catholic fiction, just be prepared for some phrasing that would be awkward in today's society. show less

Saint Colum and the Crane tells the story of Saint Columba, and how he came to found the famous monastery of Iona in Scotland. We watch Columba grow up in Ireland and become a priest before reaching the famous crane incident that gives the book its title. Columba copies a manuscript after being told not to and gets banned from seeing Ireland or feeling its soil under his feet forever. But his crane friend accompanies him and his twelve companions on their journey across the sea to Scotland show more and their work bears great fruit (as one might expect).

A nice book about one of the less common children's book saints. Jean Fritz has written a version of the book incident in The Man Who Loved Books that is more satisfying, but just as out of print. So if you like books about saints outside of the main children's book canon of Francis, Therese, and Bernadette, you should grab this one if you bump into it. show less

Saint Germaine and the Sheep is an early reading book about the life of Saint German Cousin of Pibrac, near Toulouse, France. She was born with a deformed hand and a skin condition and was abused by her stepmother. Eventually forced to live in the barn with the sheep, she never let the hatred of others affect her. When she wanted to attend mass she would stick her staff into the ground and tell her sheep to say, and they would until she returned and removed the staff from the ground. Also, show more after a bridge gave out, she was able to cross a fast-flowing stream without being swept away.

All of this makes for a good read, even if the artist did not do a good job with St. Germain's face (she looks like she's forty even when she's supposed to be a young girl). For those who enjoy illustrated and interesting lives of saints. show less

I forgot to rate this...

I 'read' it via Librivox, the free audio site. It was easy to listen to and gave me a better appreciation for St John Vianney.