One thing that my kids really look forward to every Lent is our book basket. I check a ton of books out from the library and we read one or two every night around dinner time. Some nights we read more, some not at all if we have plans or school events. What I like about the basket is that it is so flexible, there when we need it and still there when we don't have the time. We read much more on the weekends, and less on school nights. My point here is that the basket shouldn't be overwhelming. Choose 10-15 books to read over the course of Lent, and if you finish those, you can add more! The basket is a cherished tradition in our house, but the kids know that we read throughout Lent, with no set pattern of when or how many books. You can bet that anytime they think we have a spare minute, they ask for the basket! My boys (2nd and 4th grades) are also allowed to take books out of the basket and read them, provided they put them back.
We try to become more of who God wants us to be during Lent, to enter into a deeper relationship with Him and remember our need for His presence in our lives. Keeping this in mind with our basket, I try to find stories with a strong moral undertone- how to treat others, honesty, kindness, working together, and so on, for the first half of Lent. Those books are below:
Just the Way You Are, by Max Lucado: A girl has no particular talent to make something special for a visiting king. What the king actually wants, however, is an important lesson for not only for her, but all of us.
Your Special Gift, by Max Lucado: A group of wooden creatures are given secret gifts! Can they figure out how to use them?
The Oak Inside the Acorn, by Max Lucado: A book abut growing into who you are meant to be.
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler: The kids in Mrs. Ruler's class learn about kindness and the snowball effect it can have.
Because of You by B.G. Hennessy: A secular book about the impact one person can have on the world. We will talk about how God makes each of us uniquely suited to make a difference, and how it is our choice whether or not we do what He calls us to do.
Bone Soup by Cambria Evans: This is basically 'Stone Soup' but with Halloween themed monsters. Perfect for boys! The villagers find that when everyone contributes, they all have enough.
The Walls of Cartagena by Julia Durango: This is a wonderful historical fiction chapter book about the slave trade and the work that St. Peter Claver did in the 1600's in what is now Columbia. It is definitely for 4th-5th grade and up, as much of the subject matter, while not inappropriate, could be upsetting and unsettling to sensitive kids. As an example the conditions of the slave ships and how the slaves were treated is described vividly in the story. I would definitely recommend reading it before handing it over to your child. It will give kids a sense of the order of the Jesuits during this time period, and of the selfless work that St. Peter Claver did with the slaves.
The Empty Pot by Demi: A Chinese legend about honesty.
The Hungry Coat by Demi: A Turkish legend about judging a book by it's cover.
Erandi's Braids by Tomie de Paola: A story from Mexico about sacrifice.
The Stonecutter: I added no author because we usually check out a different version of this legend every year. It is the traditional story of thinking the grass is always greener somewhere else. Another version along the same lines is 'The Fisherman and his Wife.'
Later in Lent, we begin to read books that are more religious in nature, or that relate the story of Holy Week. Here are some that we'll be reading this year.
The Glorious Impossible by Madeleine L'Engle: This gorgeous book tells the life of Jesus and is illustrated with images of Giotto's frescoes. A great book for older kids, especially to introduce them to some wonderful artwork.
The Tale of the Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt: This is by far one of our all time favorite stories. My kids retell the story throughout the year and we read the book several times each Lent. It begins with three trees dreaming of what they want to be someday...and how God took those dreams and made them bigger than anyone could imagine.
Simon and the Easter Miracle by Mary Joslin: This book tells a fictional account of Simon, the man who was forced to help Jesus carry His cross. Simon is portrayed as very human, and I like that.
At Jerusalem's Gate, Poems of Easter by Nikki Grimes: A book of poetry about the events of Holy Week. Good for older children (4th grade and up.)
The Story of the Easter Robin by Dandi Daley Mackall: Tells of a girl worried about a family of robins, along the way, she learns of how the robin got it's red breast and that she must entrust the robins to God's love.
The Birds' Gift, A Ukrainian Easter Story retold by Eric Kimmel: A great book that explains a legend of the origins of 'Pysanky' a Ukrainian decorated Easter Egg. It's also a great book about caring for and respecting God's creatures.
Easter Eggs for Anya, A Ukrainian Celebration of New Life in Christ by Virginia Kroll: Anya is a faith-filled girl who is given unexpected blessings at Easter. I really like the portrayals of her praying throughout the story, and how the family's Easter traditions are woven in with their faith.
The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs: A story about Maggie, a girl who is given a gift she doesn't want. The book weaves scripture references throughout the story, as Maggie comes to realize that the gift isn't what she thought it was.
NOTE: There is another book pictured, but after reading it thoroughly (which I do with all of the books I post about) it has a few paragraphs that are untrue for Catholics, so I have removed it from my list.
All of these books were checked out from my local library system, so be sure to check there as it can be a great resource for you! Happy reading!
Have a Blessed Lent,
Carolyn
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