A Glimpse at “The Light” by Presvytera Angela Alatzakis

The Orthodox Children’s Press has a lovely picture book about the light of Pascha. The Light by Presvytera Angela Alatzakis walks with a child through the black night of Holy Saturday, into the darkened church, and slowly through the glorious services of Pascha. The focus of the book is on the light that each parishioner receives (and then takes with them to share with the world) to remind them of the Light of Christ. 

The book is (appropriately) very darkly illustrated at the beginning, as both the world and the church are dark at the beginning of the Paschal services. The gently engaging illustrations gradually brighten, as the light is shared from priest to parishioner, across the parish, and then outside and around the neighborhood…  Until the whole world is saying “Christ is risen!” in their own languages, and the reader’s own heart lights up with joy as they anticipate that moment once again.

This book will be a valuable Lenten/Paschal resource for anyone working with children. It will likely be read by families year after year, as together they anticipate (and prepare to receive) the light of Pascha. It will also be helpful to Church school teachers who want to teach their students about the Paschal services, so that they can better participate in the events.

In how many languages can you say “Christ is risen” after reading this book? And why do many Orthodox Christians take their light home, to keep it for a long time? Read the book to find out! 

Find a copy at the following sites based on your needs: orders of multiple copies (5+, may be a combination of titles from The Orthodox Children’s Press) can be placed at https://www.orthodoxchildrenspress.com/product/the-light-paperback; orders of 1-4 copies should be placed at https://www.amazon.com/Light-Angela-Alatzakis/dp/0991216466/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RU43M3K5RSPP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ErB9elfUHm8SnxjlpK8YvYGsPEYdfhM1302BnCMchhu6tC9SOsxuQ-5vq-4mwrEMc-61njmDuEBBFjx1pMpH8tmyWkpLrDWU2HmKNkX0bJ8.yjPWMjVy0H-D-P_ZgVvDnEYFa4m2Ps-fQhRvXQePqbo&dib_tag=se&keywords=Alatzakis&qid=1713287210&sprefix=alatzakis%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks the Orthodox Children’s Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.  

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Down the Valley” by Edith M. Humphrey

Professor Edith Humphrey has once again woven a beautiful tale for children, incorporating her own grandchildren as the main characters, and allowing them to time-travel and meet their very own saints! Fans of her Beyond the White Fence (Ancient Faith, 2021) will be overjoyed to learn that she has written a sequel, Down the Valley, which has been published by Cascade Books (an imprint of Wipf and Stock).

It’s been two years since some of the cousins found themselves beyond Gramgon’s (what they call their grandmother) white fence, and wondrously transported back in time to meet their saints. Many of the other cousins wished for a turn, but two years have passed with no opportunities. Until now. This time cousins James, Isaiah, Allie, and Kevin, and their friend from Gramgon’s neighborhood, TJ, each have their own adventure down in the valley beyond the fence. (Most of the adventures include several other cousins, as well.) Every trip across time introduces a cousin/friend to their saint and allows them to experience part of their saint’s life. 

How do some of the cousins cause a distraction that keeps one of Christ’s disciples’ homes from being searched? Will some of the boys make it all the way through the dark to Bethany (and find the right house there) in time to deliver something important to an early Christian leader? Who accidentally meets their saint inside the Jewish temple at night? Which of the children find themselves in another time and place alone? Who winds up in jail with their saint? Whose saint had an otter and a cow as their friends? Who was almost too late to this saint-meeting party, but arrives in time to find themselves on a beautiful beach in India, where they learn that their saint knows all about lateness and has learned to see the gifts in it? And why do the cousins keep snitching Gramgon’s giant book (that they almost can’t handle because of its size) off of her shelf? 

Find answers to these questions, and a great deal of adventure, with these real-life friends when you read Down the Valley. The book stands on its own, and will make sense to readers who have not read Beyond the White Fence, the first book in the series. Having read the first one, however, will give the reader deeper insights into these children and their escapades. Readers of both will meet many different saints, in the context of their time and culture. There is so much to learn about the saints and how the world looked during their lifetime, and these books are an adventurous way to do so without taking a single class.

This book will be a fun read-aloud for younger children, it is sure to be devoured by older children, and adults will also enjoy reading it (this one certainly did!). Purchase your copy of Down the Valley to begin your own learning adventure here: https://wipfandstock.com/9781666772067/down-the-valley/ 

Enjoy Kristina’s review of Humphrey’s first book in the series, Beyond the White Fence, in an earlier post on this site: https://orthodoxchurchschoolteachers.wordpress.com/2021/10/26/a-glimpse-at-beyond-the-white-fence-by-edith-m-humphrey/

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Cascade Books for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “You are an Orthodox Christian” by Theofanis Sawabe, Illustrated by Vladimir Ilievski

Newrome Press’ picture book, You are an Orthodox Christian, helps its readers to better understand who they are, and gives them the chance to learn why/how to better value their faith. Theofanis Sawabe begins the book with, “You are an Orthodox Christian. Do you know what that means?” He begins to answer his own question by taking a look at Orthodoxy’s family tree, which stretches all the way back to Christ and His apostles. 

Page by page, Sawabe shows how Orthodox Christians through the years have carried the Faith so that we, today, can be part of it. He tells of their kindness to strangers, their courage in the face of impossible situations, their steadfastness in maintaining the Faith. He continues into modern times, showing how Orthodox Christians continue to carry and share their faith as they are able. He emphasizes that the reader (who he calls “dear child”) is part of this big Orthodox family, and that they are inheritors of a great blessing: the Holy Orthodox Faith.

Vladimir Ilievski has illustrated this book in a truly Orthodox manner. Almost every page features a saint (or more) whose life illustrates the words on that page. Readers may easily recognize the saints, as they look similar to their icons, but the saints’ illustrations also beautifully fit the style of the rest of the illustrations in the book.

You are an Orthodox Christian concludes with an appendix of several pages that tell abbreviated life stories of those saints and notes which previous page of the book features their image. This book offers the opportunity for readers to come away from it better appreciating their faith. Readers will also have learned more about twenty of the Church’s saints!

This book will be an excellent resource to families or Church schools. It encourages its readers to not just appreciate their faith, but to carry it on (as so many others have) for the generations to come. It is a book about family, the family of the Orthodox Church.

Find your copy of You are an Orthodox Christian here: https://newromepress.com/you-are-an-orthodox-christian/ 

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “The Little Way of a Pilgrim” by Jennifer Anna Rich, Illustrated by Diana-Elena Popescu

Ancient Faith Kids presents a child-friendly version of the late 19th century Russian work The Way of a Pilgrim. In the new picture book The Little Way of a Pilgrim, Jennifer Anna Rich invites her readers to walk alongside a likable protagonist, who suddenly decides one day to go on a wandering quest to try to find the meaning of something that he heard in church, “Pray without ceasing.” He can’t imagine praying and not ever stopping, so he goes walking to try to learn more about this idea from others. On his journey, this friendly wanderer meets a great variety of people, and he asks them his driving question, hoping to learn what they know about unceasing prayer. 

Jennifer Anna Rich’s carefully selected text draws the reader along on the journey through the senses of their imaginations. She includes a taste of soothing repetition which offers the reader a chance to join the wanderer in his question… and in the answer that he uncovers. She writes of reasons to pray without ceasing, and also teaches how to do so, in the context of a story that children can easily follow and understand.

Diana-Elena Popescu’s rich colored pencil drawings warm the reader with images that are visually comforting (all except for one, which by necessity is not). Her use of predominantly warm tones emphasize the light and warmth that pull the wanderer closer to the answer to his quest. The reader themself feels enveloped by the light and warmth, drawn inexplicably into the scene and soothed and comforted by it (with, of course, that one exception).

Does anyone look down on the wanderer because of his physical ailment? Who joins him on his journey? Does he limit his inquiry to those with holy vocations (like priests and monks) or does he learn from laypeople as well? What becomes the greatest treasure in his heart, the answer to his quest? Find these answers and more when you read Ancient Faith Kids’ picture book The Little Way of a Pilgrim, by Jennifer Anna Rich.
The Little Way of a Pilgrim is available at https://store.ancientfaith.com/the-little-way-of-a-pilgrim/

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Ancient Faith Kids for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Beneath the Magnificent Dome” by Anna Iakovou, Illustrated by Spyros Gousis

It’s the year 1919. Constantinople has been under Turkish rule for more than 400 years, and the awe-inspiring Church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) is being used as a mosque. Beneath the Magnificent Dome, by Anna Iakovou, is told from the perspective of Nicholas, a young boy living and working in a pharmacy in Constantinople, who is accidentally in Hagia Sophia for the first liturgy celebrated there in 466 years!

This illustrated short story offers its readers a glimpse into life in Constantinople in the early 1900’s. The story is based on the real-life actions of Fr. Eleftherios Noufrakis (there is bibliographic information, including pictures from his life in the back of the book), and shows his determination and courage. Because Nicholas is “telling” the story, and he knows a lot of tales, this book also includes multiple stories that have been believed about Hagia Sophia over the years.

Older children, teens, and grownups alike will enjoy stepping back in time as they read Beneath the Magnificent Dome. Anna Iakovou’s believable storytelling has been fluidly translated by Dimitri Kagaras. Spyros Gousis’ occasional illustrations include just enough detail to add context and pique the readers’ curiosity. Somewhere between the words of the story and the illustrations, readers feel as though they are actually there, observing the events as they unfold.

Readers should not be surprised to find themselves doing a little research after reading this book, as they seek answers to questions they encounter as they read. For example, they may wonder, has the Divine Liturgy been celebrated in Hagia Sophia since this event? Whatever happened to Hagia Sophia’s Holy Table when the Church was overtaken? Were bees really part of Hagia Sophia’s original design? 

To read this story and encounter your own questions about it, you can obtain a copy of this book at https://newromepress.com/beneath-the-magnificent-dome/.

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Dyed in Murex: the Mystery of the Porphyry Codex” by Evgenia Hatzithanasi-Reppa

Newrome Press’ first ever Young Adult novel, Dyed in Murex: the Mystery of the Porphyry Codex by Evgenia Hatzithanasi-Reppa, is a beautiful contribution to the world of Orthodox Christian historical fiction. Part history book, part vocabulary lesson, part mystery, part socio-economic study, sharing tidbits of wisdom along the way; this book blends all of the above into a riveting story that leaves the reader struggling to put it down.

First published in Greek in 2022, this book is carefully translated by Sister Rafailia Kaparelis. It provides (occasional) helpful footnotes as needed, to explain unfamiliar terms or important historical background. Dyed in Murex is instructive in Orthodox Christian history while also offering a variety of perspectives that help the reader to better understand both sides of numerous issues addressed in the story. While it teaches the reader and expands their horizons, the story subtly draws the reader in, and they feel as though they have just stepped back into the Byzantine Empire, to Constantinople, in the early 800s…

Who is Andronikos, and why does his army-commander father respond to him as he does? Why would an aristocrat like Andronikos care what happens to the peasant family including Eirini? When is Andronikos charged with delivering something of inestimable value to the Empress Theodora, and how on earth will he (and anyone who tries to help him) ever find it, in order to do so? Who will stop at nothing to halt the veneration of icons, and how does that affect Andronikos as he matures into a young man?

In addition to answering these questions while traveling across time, readers will glean wisdom as they read and ponder nuggets hidden throughout the book, including the following:

• “Strength is not just required for battling enemies. Strength is also needed for small everyday things. Virtue, too, demands resilience and bravery.” (p. 95)
• “What good were wealth, status, and position in society when there was no respect, understanding, or love at home?” (pp. 201-202)
• “Jealousy is a terrible emotion. It sneaks into the mind imperceptibly as a mere tiny thought, which, if unchecked, soon strengthens and grows… its victory only becomes final once it raises its banner in the heart. At this point, the jealousy tightens its grip so completely and so painfully that the person who initially lost his mind now loses his soul.” (p. 281)

Youth and adults alike will find the answers to the above questions and many more thought-provoking treasures when they read Dyed in Murex: the Mystery of the Porphyry Codex, which is available here: https://newromepress.com/dyed-in-murex/

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Little Steps: Climbing the Ladder for Little Ones” by Kathryn Reetzke, Illustrated by Yostina Kaoud

Just in time for Great Lent, Park End Books has published an engaging board book that encourages each of its readers to climb closer to God. Little Steps: Climbing the Ladder for Little Ones, written by Kathryn Reetzke, and illustrated by Yostina Kaoud, follows ordinary children through their everyday activities. It shows how, with even small actions, each of us can take a step up the ladder, closer to God.

Orthodox Christians who are familiar with St. John Climacus’ work The Ladder of Divine Ascent and/or the icon by the same name will recognize the imagery on which this book is based. However, this book is appropriate for any Christian who is hoping to guide their children to climb closer to Christ. Whether they are sharing, admiring God’s beautiful world, basking in the beauty of Church, or even cleaning up their own spills, each character in this book illustrates how it is possible even for children to step closer to Christ in everything that they do.

Reetzke’s simple wording is easy for young children to understand, and Kaoud’s brightly colored illustrations add much joy to the reading experience. Each character in this book is different, but beautiful, and they are doing familiar things that will resonate well with young readers. Whether they’re in church, in school, outside playing, or inside praying, the children in these pages are climbing the ladder and encouraging the reader to do the same. Readers of all ages will be encouraged to keep climbing as they read.

Find your copy of this book at: https://parkendbooks.com/shop/little-steps/

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks Park End Books for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.  

A Glimpse at “Special People: Godparents in the Orthodox Christian Faith” by Ellen Karis, Illustrated by Kristina Tartara

Godparents are an important part of each Orthodox Christian’s life. Children who were baptized and chrismated as infants, however, may not remember the beautiful way in which they attained Godparents and became a Godchild. Special People: Godparents in the Orthodox Christian Faith, written by Ellen Karis, and illustrated by Kristina Tartara, offers an easy-to-follow overview of these beautiful sacraments and of Godfamily life. 

Beginning with the baptism of Christ, Ellen Karis talks her readers through the baptismal process, including the sacrament of Chrismation. She explains the contributions that Godparents make to their Godchild’s baptismal service (this text and illustrations are based on Greek traditions, so these may differ slightly among other jurisdictions). She also provides insight into the many beautiful ways in which Godparents continue to provide for their Godchild’s needs throughout their life. 

Kristina Tartara’s delightful illustration style enhances this book and adds much to the text. Through her art, readers watch little “Eleni” (the main character, who is named only in the illustrations) in each part of her baptismal service. Throughout the rest of the book, they see her grow up, following her and her Godparents until she is an adult. Through both the text and the illustrations of this book, readers will also note how caringly Eleni’s Godparents support and love her over the years. 

Special People: Godparents in the Orthodox Christian Faith can benefit Orthodox Christians of a variety of ages. While the book is written for Orthodox children who were baptized as infants, to help them better understand what happened, it will also be a good review for older children whose family converted to Orthodoxy. The book may be primarily written for children, but it also extends a myriad of great ideas for adult Godparents, showing ways in which they can support and teach their Godchildren. Families and Church schools alike will benefit from reading and discussing this book together.

Get your own copy of the book here:  https://www.amazon.com/Special-People-Godparents-Orthodox-Christian/dp/0578821958/

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry thanks the author for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

A Glimpse at “Stories from the Gerontikon”, designed and illustrated by Christos Gousidis

Newrome Press’ book Stories from the Gerontikon is part graphic novel, part illustrated storybook, and tells many stories from the Gerontikon. (“A book that tells about the community of saintly men, and their exploits towards spiritual progress.”~ St. Photios the Great, quoted in the prologue of the book.) This book is full of stories of holy desert elders, their love for God, their determination, their failures, and their learnings. Christos Gousidis has illustrated each story with one or more pictures that help to bring it to life. Many stories have a one-sentence summary or nugget of truth to ponder at the end of the story.

How does the young monk John’s obedience to his elder, in a very difficult assignment, show fruit? 

What asceticism does a city-dweller teach to an old and holy monk?

How does God use a beggar to help Abba Agathonas?

In what way does a compassionate monk turn the anger of his frustrated fellow monks into love?

Where does pride often hide when we are trying to become more holy?

Who needed a pillow? And why didn’t the basket burn?

Find the answers to all of these questions, and more, in Stories from the Gerontikon! After many pages of stories, the book offers a few activity pages, where the reader can interact with some of the graphics in the stories. It ends with a blank “graphic novel” page and an invitation to illustrate one of three other stories (also from the Gerontikon). Readers who complete the illustrations are invited to send a photo of their work to Newrome Press, to be entered into an annual drawing for an icon of St. Paisios the Athonite!

This book will offer older children, teens, and adults much to ponder. It is full of the wisdom of the elders, and the reader will find much to learn within its pages. Stories from the Gerontikon will be an interesting read for an individual, but will be even better if it is read with others, so that its stories and truths can be discussed. Readers will likely want to re-visit the book every few years, to see what new gleanings they can gather from the wisdom of these desert elders.

Purchase your own copy here: https://newromepress.com/stories-from-the-gerontikon/

The Department of Christian Education thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.      

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.

A Glimpse at Noah, the Ark, and Me by Anna Iakovou, illustrated by Angeliki Deleha

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be aboard the ark with Noah and his family? Newrome Press’ English printing of Noah, the Ark, and Me by Anna Iakovou, published in 2022, helps its readers to imagine that they are there! Two young narrators, a boy and a girl, tell the story, just as they dreamed it: they help to build the ark, they experience life onboard with all of those animals, and they disembark when the waters dry up. The narrators don’t just tell the story: they also appear in the charming illustrations, making it feel as if they are truly part of the story. Their presence invites readers to imagine that they are there, as well. (In fact, young readers are even invited to “become” one of the narrators by writing their name with the narrator’s picture in the beginning of the book!) 

Anna Iakovou pulls her readers into Noah’s family’s experience. She invites them to help build the ark and fill it with provisions; to watch in awe as all the animals arrive; and to celebrate the immense variety of creatures that God has made. Then she allows them to think through how peaceful the wildlife had to be during that long period of time when the doors were shut; and to imagine the joy and relief at being able to be back on land again. She offers thoughtful little asides from each of the two narrators along the way. 

Angeliki Deleha’s delightful illustrations have the reader smiling from the very first endsheet, where they are being closely observed by a curious secretary bird while a chimpanzee swings by. Many favorite animals can be spotted throughout this book, alongside some species that the reader may not yet recognize, inspiring a little research beyond the book’s pages. One of the illustrations has even been made into a puzzle, which graces the endsheet inside the back cover.

It is this reader’s opinion that this book will be well loved by children and adults alike who love animals and all things related to Noah’s ark. The puzzle is a lovely addition, and because it is embedded in the book, it will always be there when the story is read. Readers will step away from this book with a new understanding of what it must have been like to be in Noah’s family, aboard the ark.

Find your copy of Noah, the Ark, and Me at https://newromepress.com/noah-the-ark-and-me/. 

The Department of Christian Education thanks Newrome Press for providing a copy of this book for us to review and share.         

Reviewed by Kristina Wenger, educator, podcaster, co-author of Tending the Garden of Our Hearts.