Situating books for children on The Mary Page

Visitors to The Mary Page frequently ask for materials suitable for children. Since the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute is a gathering place of all things pertaining to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the holdings include well over one thousand books for children.

The books we select and discuss here are in accord with our purpose:

to make Mary better known, better loved, and better served.

A book we recommend about Mary will place Jesus in the center of her life and mission. Beautiful, appropriate images are taken into consideration. They are important teaching tools and convey Catholic teachings based on scripture and tradition. The teaching methods, for instance, good rhyme or the way a child interacts with the media, are also factors for selection.

We debated the question: Do we review only contemporary books that you can still readily purchase? We decided to also post a few “oldies.” Some are out there as reprints. Today, libraries often provide an Interlibrary Loan service. Most of the books reviewed on The Mary Page can possibly be obtained that way. Here at the Marian Library, children’s books remain on the premises. Upon request, they are made available to you in our reading room. We do not lend children’s books so that they will be available treasures “from generation to generation.” However, when a book has an ISBN number, booksellers will make every effort to find it for you.

The Mary Page book reviews are at the links below: