A teacher once dubbed me an “information giver” and I’ve lived up to his assessment ever since. I love reading and then sharing what I’ve learned. What better way to do this than through my own writing—one reader at a time?

I write for all ages, both fiction and nonfiction, and on a variety of topics, including history, science, nature and the environment, law and society, self-esteem, and social issues. My school and library programs blend a love of learning, natural curiosity, and interest in nature, science, and history to engage the audience through activities and literacy exercises.

I grew up in Michigan in a family of 8 children and I spent a lot of time reading as a child. It was no surprise to my family when I showed a flair for making up stories and putting on puppet plays for the neighborhood. I think I always knew I’d grow up to write books. At least, that was my plan, from about grade 4 on.

I also spent a great deal of time playing in the creek and exploring the outdoors. Spending time with nature is still one of my hobbies. I grew up around lakes, so swimming was a common pastime. It still is, only I now enjoy it from my home in Florida. I also enjoy canoeing, bird watching, gardening, camping, hiking, and photographing nature and wildlife. The trees, flowers, birds, insects, and sunshine inspire me. Since most of my writing is nonfiction, my creative well is refilled whenever I’m outside.

Swans and the creek at Higgins Lake State Park in Michigan.  Marco Island, Florida sunset.

Even though I’ve moved (and joined a closer parish) I’ve continued to write book “reviews” for the St. William bulletin. Here are a few that have appeared in recent weeks.

God Gave Us You / written by Lisa Town Bergren; illustrated by Laura J. Bryant (Water Books Press, 2000)

Mama tucks in little cub for the night but little cub isn’t ready for sleep. She wants to hear about how she came from God. As she hears Mama tell her where she came from, she learns how very loved and special she is. Charming and whimsical illustrations show polar bear couple through the stages of pregnancy and preparations to bring a baby cub home to celebrate the miracle of family and children. For Pre-K—younger elementary.

Good Night Little One  / written by Margaret Wise Brown (Parragon, 2012)

A beautiful bedtime book with bright but calming illustrations and quiet, rhyming and receptive text to lull your little one to close their eyes. The story, by the author of Goodnight  Moon features various animals ending the day’s activities and settling to sleep. Silly sheep chew grass beneath the sky and baby pigs squeal beneath the sky. Eventually the story leads to a little child tucked into bed for the night. Beneath the surface is the impression of the majesty of the stars and all God’s creations.

Whatever You Grow Up to Be / written by Karen Kingsbury; illustrated by Valeria DeCampo (ZanderKids, 2014)

A tribute to babies and the hopes and dreams of parents. A wonderful book to give as a newborn gift. In this charming book with bright, contemporary illustrations, new parents imagine the life of their child from infancy to having children of their own. It is a celebration of joy of life and all the stages along with possible careers, “if that’s what you grow up to be.” Rhyming text will capture little ones while an underlying messages appeals to the adult reader: “At ten you drive your fire truck, and rescue folks when they get stuck.” Each spread includes a related NIV Bible verse.

A.K.A. Genius / written by Marilee Haynes (Pauline Teen, 2013)

A humorous and realistic novel for grades 6 and up. Gabe has just tested at genius level at St. Jude Middle School. This baffles him since he routinely gets B’s in his classes, can’t even open his locker, and is hopeless in any sport (to the disappointment of his father). These are not the least of his problems since his “second best friend,” Maya, now won’t speak to him AND the principal has created a special class: Greater Achieving Students (nicknamed G.A.S.) and he ends up as co-captain for an academic olympics—with Maya. How he comes to terms with what “genius” means for his life and learns to deal with the usual adolescent issues (like asking his sister’s best friend on a date) are funny as well as touching and a good model for learning self-acceptance.

Though my presentation on October 3, “Books for Grandkids,” had a small turnout due to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, we offered it again to a large crowd. I also did two “book talks” for CCD parents earlier this month. I had a blast making book suggestions from noted Catholic publishers as well as secular books by a variety of authors starring Catholic characters. Titles included books for pre-school to teens. I passed out bookmarks and a list of questions parents and grandparents can use to open discussion about any type of fiction. (If any other parishes out there want me to do it for them, I’d be happy to repeat it!)

Here are some of the books I talked about during the presentation and had on display for browsing afterward.

The Pumpkin Patch Parable / written by Liz Curtis Higgs; illustrated by Nancy Munger (Tommy Nelson, 1995)

This board book presents an alternative to traditional Halloween. Each spread include a related spiritual verse. The story describes the farmer who grows pumpkins and all the stages from planting seeds to harvest and how they each require patience and tending. But in October the farmer chooses the perfect pumpkin to carve. A candle is placed inside to glow, a reminder of how God turns the simple into the glorious. 

Everybody Has a Body: God Made Boys nd Girls / written by Monica Ashour; illustrated by Karol Kaminski (Pauline Kids, 2015)

This board book with bold, cartoon-like illustrations, serves as a first introduction to the difference between girls and boys. God makes everybody alike, yet he made our bodies different, too. Parents were once children but now they have specific roles, as children will when they grow up. This is a celebration of bodies and the roles they play in God’s plan. Pre-K.

Forever You: A book about your Soul and Body / written by Nicole Lataif; illustrated by Mary Rojas (Pauline Books and Media, 2012)

For pre-K—elementary with gentle text and illustrations to match, this book is a celebration of our bodies and what they can do (legs to climb) and how our soul gives our bodies life: 

“It’s not made of light, but warms you like the sun.”

“It’s not like the wind, but sings like a gentle breeze.” 

The soul is a part of all we do, whether singing or bathing. It lets people see us from the inside out, in what we feel, what we like, what we love, and in our special gifts and talents. 

The Song of Francis / written by Tomie dePaola (GP Putnam’s Sons, 2009)

Francis wants to sing, to sing of the love of God he feels. But he is a alone. An angel encourages him to sing anyway. His singing attracts birds, the sun and moon. When he stops, they leave and Francis vows to sing again tomorrow and each day thereafter. This simple book of bold colors and minimal text has a gentle yet powerful message as it depicts Saint Francis singing his love for God to the sun, moon, and birds. 

He Said Yes: The Story of Father Michael Judge / written by Kelly Ann Lynch; illustrated by M. Scott Oatman (Paulist Press, 2007)

Biography of Father Judge from his days as a student through his answering God’s calling (in many different ways) to his heroism on 9/11. Each “spread” in the book features a different challenge God presented for him, from becoming a priest to working with the homeless and through to his role as chaplain for the NYC Fire Dept. For advanced beginning readers through upper elementary (grades 3-6). 

The Old Shepherd’s Tale / written by Christopher Nye; illustrated by Henri Sørensen ( Housatonic Press, 2004)

This storybook for older listeners and readers (grades K and up) with appealing illustrations shares the story of Christ’s birth from the perspective of the animals and an old shepherd that cares for them. Each gentle animal is blessed with gifts for their part in that most holy of nights—to aid the Christ child, but also for all of mankind: food and nourishment from the cow, strength from the ox, and protection from danger from the donkey. Their story doesn’t end on that night, however. The old shepherd continues to care for them as teach people how important animals are—in many ways. A wonderful expansion on the message from the night of Jesus’ birth and a great family story. 

So “Book and Bagels,” which was supposed to only be a summer program, is continuing every month. We’re moving onto other authors and rotating through different genres now. All that reading, though, had me wondering, Where are the Catholic characters among the books for children and teens? To answer this question, I headed to the Collier Public Library. I was surprised (and delighted) to find quite a few books when I searched for Catholic juvenile fiction and by well-known authors. Here are a few I read this summer:

Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day by Gary Paulsen 

A fun, slim book about finding balance between strict organization and realities of life. 

Molly is ultra organized, A binder helps her keep every aspect of her life—and her grandmother’s—on track. This is essential since she lives with her super spontaneous grandmother, Irene, who is an animal talent agent. 

But on Senior Citizen’s Day at Our Lady of Mercy Middle School, Molly’s binder goes missing. Like a missing security blanket, it sets her off kilter and she has mishap after mishap. Plus, she is trying to keep her grandmother out of trouble, which isn’t easy when her best friends Mary Margaret, Mary Pat, and Mary Bridget egg on Irene’s chaotic and creative approach to life. As the day goes on, Molly’s attitude changes (with nudges and pokes from Irene) and Molly “survives” without her notebook (only to find it where she never thought to look).

A fun book about coming to understand what (and who) we can and cannot control and finding balance in life.

Revenge of the Green Banana by Jim Murphy (Clarion Books) 

A mostly autobiographical account of Murphy’s 6th grade year at St. Stephens Catholic School (New Jersey) in 1958 makes for hilarious reading and a great family book. (Adults will reminisce and see the juvenile logic that leads to miscommunication between the nuns and their students.) 

Jim is determined that 6th grade will be a fresh start. But this last for about 12 minutes because his new teacher, Sister Angelica, won’t see beyond the thick red folder of his past. His humiliation escalates when he is forced to sing and dance, dressed as green banana, with the 2nd graders in a school assembly. He and his best friends devise an elaborate prank to humiliate Sister Angelica. But revenge can get out of control, especially when the girl he secretly likes may end up as the victim of their prank. Can he stop that from happening in time? 

Confessions of a Closet Catholic by Sarah Darer Littman

This is a charming, laugh out loud funny, and touching story about change, prompted by both moving and loss—and the grief that points us toward growth. 

When Justine’s family moves from New Rochelle, New York to Greenwich, Connecticut, she greatly misses Bubbe, her father’s mother, but she soon makes a new friend, Mary Catherine McAllister. The McAllisters are Catholic and their family life is chaotic but loving which fascinates Justine. This prompts Justine in trying to convince her family to keep Kosher, like Bubbe. Justine’s perfect older sister teases her and her mother and Grandpa Leon and Grandma Lila aren’t exactly encouraging either. 

Feeling they are only Jewish by birth and wanting the family life of her friend, Justine announces that she is giving up being Jewish for Lent—to fit into her new home town and to be like her new friend. She enjoys spending time with the McAllisters because it is fun and busy at their house, their mother bakes cookies from scratch and is engaged with the children. 

Justine is so fascinated with Catholicism that she secretly practices going to confession—in her closet with her Teddy bear as the priest (Father Ted)—and she practices communion using grape juice and matzah, despite her mother’s strict rules about no food in the bedrooms. 

When Bubbe has a serious stroke on the day Justine begged to attend mass with the McAallisers, she is convinced God is punishing Bubbe for her own sin. Guilt creates drama AND humor as mice are discovered in the bedrooms and an exterminator uncovers Father Ted and the closeted remains of communion. Drama escalates in her family BUT Bubbe is on her side, though growing weaker every day.