The Monks Daily Bread

The Monks of Archangel Monastery

by Sylvia Dorham

The Monks of Archangel Monastery have a dilemma: their cupboards are bare! But their wise Father Abbot reminds them to trust that Christ will provide their daily bread. So the monks go about their work, study and prayer, while offering up their belly grumble for the love of God. This beautifully-illustrated book will be enjoyed by children and their caregivers for its humorous pictures, for fun rhymes reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, and for the heartfelt message of sincere trust in the Lord's providence.
 

Genres: Picture Books, Catholic, Christian Fiction, Childrens

34 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2018

Reviews

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hidden treasure about christian monks in their everyday life and their faith in the Lord's providence when the cupboards are bare.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Monks' Daily Bread introduces us to the monks who live in the Archangel Monastery. It shows us their daily chores, schedules, and routine. However, unlike normal days at the monastery, there is no food to eat this particular day. Their leader, Father Abbot, tells them that Jesus will provide for them and insists that they all get to work since there is currently no food to eat. As the day goes by, and the monks continue to work, pray, study, and learn, they grow more and more hungry. Eventually a delivery truck with food arrives, and the monks are saved. Father Abbot reminds them how Jesus fed the multitudes, and all the monks give thanks.

In The Monks' Stormy Night, the winter season has set in at Archangel Monastery and snow is everywhere! Unfortunately, the monks again are having some drama in their lives. This time they have food to eat, but no furnace to keep them warm. The monks have to put on more clothes, but still continue about their daily routines. However, in the middle of the night, things go from bad to worse as lightning knocks over a tree and cuts out the electricity and the water pipes have frozen and burst. Eventually the sun returns, and the monks remember that God is with them in bad times and good times!

These two books are short (each approximately 30 pages) and cute in both wording and illustrations. The story has a sing-song feel to it with some simple rhyming on each page that will appeal to younger children. The illustrations have a Sunday morning comic feel to them, and I would describe them as vibrant in color and full of life and whimsy! What I like best about these books is that on the last page is a Scripture verse that related to the story. This gives your child something to memorize and take what they learned to heart. I love these books and I love TAN Books for stepping up their selection of children's books!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We purchased this book as a Christmas gift for our preschool-age son. This simple rhyming book, delightfully illustrated, follows the monks through their daily routine when the cupboards are bare, and they must rely on God’s providence for their dinner. A great read-aloud book that children will long remember and treasure.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly cute little book and an incredibly cute little series. The story is simple enough--the monks run out of food--but the lesson, which includes patience and the all-important reminder that God will provide, was a great one for readers of all ages.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for littles!

This book will support teaching children to trust in God and to suffer rightly. We will read this over and over.