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Treasures of the Saints
The Interior Castle: A Boy's Journey into the Riches of Prayer
Based on Saint Teresa of Avila's spiritual classic, this book is enchantingly adapted for children 7yrs. and up about a boy's journey into the riches of prayer. Sure to captivate and inspire readers of all ages, The Interior Castle brings to life the soul's progress through prayer. Judith Bouilloc's engaging story is beautifully illustrated by award-winner Éric Puybaret, and promises a journey its readers will never forget! A book that wonderfully combines an enchanting story with rich spirituality and gorgeous illustrations that will appeal to all ages.
72 pages, Hardcover
Published September 22, 2020
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 1, 2023
So beautifully written for children!! Do yourself a favor and read this book. Even as young adults/adults we need the simplest reminders of what it means to find God in our hearts. Sometimes you just need to go back to the basics. Henry will have good taste in literature
March 7, 2021
Oh my this book was stunningly beautiful - illustrations and content. St Teresa of Avila takes a boy through the rooms of the Interior Castle. He learns about prayers, and overcoming pride and ultimately how to get to that inner place in his heart where God dwells. My sons loved this and we will revisit this one again! 💜 What a beautiful way to introduce children to one of the great mystics of our faith.
January 26, 2024
This book is based on the spiritual classic (The Interior Castle) by St. Teresa of Avila. The overall concepts of her book are presented in simple terms for children to understand.
The Castle of the Soul:
The First Room - The Doorway is Prayer (where he sees many people strolling about but none are looking for a doorway. Don’t these people want to go inside? No, they are distracted by many things. They give no thought to God at all.)
The Second Room - The Dragon’s Lair (where you slay the inner dragons of bad habits.)
The Third Room - The Speck and the Log (where you learn “If the faults of others make you annoyed and angry, then you still have the biggest fault of all -pride. To see God, you need more humility.”)
The Fourth Room - The Murmuring Water (where “The water here is the purest of all because it is a gift from God. It flows like a blessing throughout the whole castle.”)
The Fifth Room - The Dome of Butterflies (where the old self dies and is reborn in Christ.)
The Sixth Room - Jesus (where Christ himself is your guide. He is the human face of God. “We cannot always expect to feel something when we pray. We need to trust that we will grow in faith when we continue to pray even when we do not feel anything (meaning spiritual dryness). Keep looking for the King of your castle, who is Jesus.”
The Seventh Room - The Heaven of the Soul (which is the summit of the castle, where dwell the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. Where God himself dwells and where we are most fully united to him.)
This book was read in about 30 minutes (?) and my kids 5-8yo commented during different chapters how much they thought this was a good book. The illustrations are beautiful and the concepts are too, but were a little too abstract in some parts to fully grasp even for an adult. I assume this isn’t a problem if you have already read its original text because you would presumably have more context to explain its meaning. Nonetheless, I found it thought provoking and my kids enjoyed it also.
The Castle of the Soul:
The First Room - The Doorway is Prayer (where he sees many people strolling about but none are looking for a doorway. Don’t these people want to go inside? No, they are distracted by many things. They give no thought to God at all.)
The Second Room - The Dragon’s Lair (where you slay the inner dragons of bad habits.)
The Third Room - The Speck and the Log (where you learn “If the faults of others make you annoyed and angry, then you still have the biggest fault of all -pride. To see God, you need more humility.”)
The Fourth Room - The Murmuring Water (where “The water here is the purest of all because it is a gift from God. It flows like a blessing throughout the whole castle.”)
The Fifth Room - The Dome of Butterflies (where the old self dies and is reborn in Christ.)
The Sixth Room - Jesus (where Christ himself is your guide. He is the human face of God. “We cannot always expect to feel something when we pray. We need to trust that we will grow in faith when we continue to pray even when we do not feel anything (meaning spiritual dryness). Keep looking for the King of your castle, who is Jesus.”
The Seventh Room - The Heaven of the Soul (which is the summit of the castle, where dwell the three Persons of the Holy Trinity. Where God himself dwells and where we are most fully united to him.)
This book was read in about 30 minutes (?) and my kids 5-8yo commented during different chapters how much they thought this was a good book. The illustrations are beautiful and the concepts are too, but were a little too abstract in some parts to fully grasp even for an adult. I assume this isn’t a problem if you have already read its original text because you would presumably have more context to explain its meaning. Nonetheless, I found it thought provoking and my kids enjoyed it also.
December 3, 2024
Wow! I am always hugely impressed when you can communicate such a seminal Christian classic for children. This one does not disappoint.
December 23, 2024
Such a BEAUTIFULLY illustrated book. After reading Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle” and struggling to grasp it even with an edition with commentary, it was refreshing to read this and reclaim the simplicity of this journey.
March 22, 2022
It’s loosely based on the Interior Castle because it’s for children but it is good. Quick read.
December 29, 2022
I want to give this as gifts to people to read with their kids!! Love it!
August 22, 2023
Resplendent version for youngsters and a great summary for adults.
April 26, 2025
An incredibly faithful and fun adaptation of St. Teresa's spiritual classic. Our 5yo loved it!
October 20, 2025
What a beautiful book on prayer. my 1st grader and I both enjoyed reading and discussing it.
January 27, 2024
This book was great. If you don’t know how to find God this book is probably the best way to show you.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews