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Saints Around the World
The lives of the Saints are one of the most powerful ways God draws people to himself, showing us the love and the joy we can find in him. But so often, these Saints seem distant―impossibly holy or dull or unlike us in race and age and state in life. In Saints Around the World, you'll meet over one-hundred Saints from more than sixty countries, including Saints with different disabilities, strengths, and struggles. The beautiful illustrations and captivating storytelling will introduce you and your children to new heavenly friends while also helping you fall more in love with Jesus.
Each story in this book is written not only to capture the imagination but also to speak about God's tremendous love and our call to be saints. There are stories in Saints Around the World for when you feel like life isn't fair, when people are being unkind to you, when you've made a terrible mistake, when you're struggling at school, when prayer is hard. And there are stories of shouting down Nazis, of fleeing a murderous villain, of making scientific discoveries, of smoking a cigar while enemy soldiers amputate your leg.
There are scared Saints, brilliant Saints, weak Saints, adventurous Saints, abused Saints, overjoyed Saints, disabled Saints―and the point of every one of them is the love of God. Whether you're checking the map to find Saints who look like you or perusing the extensive indices to find Saints with your skills or struggles, you'll find countless stories in this book that remind you how very possible holiness is.
Each story in this book is written not only to capture the imagination but also to speak about God's tremendous love and our call to be saints. There are stories in Saints Around the World for when you feel like life isn't fair, when people are being unkind to you, when you've made a terrible mistake, when you're struggling at school, when prayer is hard. And there are stories of shouting down Nazis, of fleeing a murderous villain, of making scientific discoveries, of smoking a cigar while enemy soldiers amputate your leg.
There are scared Saints, brilliant Saints, weak Saints, adventurous Saints, abused Saints, overjoyed Saints, disabled Saints―and the point of every one of them is the love of God. Whether you're checking the map to find Saints who look like you or perusing the extensive indices to find Saints with your skills or struggles, you'll find countless stories in this book that remind you how very possible holiness is.
244 pages, Hardcover
First published June 10, 2021
27 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 11, 2021
I am a Catholic mom who homeschools, so I already have plenty of superlatives about this book. The attention to detail is meticulous, from the stories to the locations to the artwork, and the mere fact of seeing so many lesser-known saints in the context of their geography and culture is sufficient for me to give this book a ten! But what needs to be applauded most is that several of the saints included have special needs as part of their stories. Some have learning disabilities, some physical and emotional challenges, one even has autistic traits - but you would never guess that when you see the title, which is what I especially celebrate with heartfelt gratitude. THIS is what we want when we ask for inclusion among those of us with special needs! (For reference - I myself am autistic, and I have many, many connections to other families with autistic and learning disabled children). Had this been titled "Saints With Special Needs," the message would have immediately been lost in the same old portrayal of those of us with disabilities living under an asterisk in mainstream society. Instead, these instances are told as they occur as a matter of course, in a positive way that neither elevates or denigrates, and the resulting message is one that has been sorely missing from most saint (and children's) books, which is: Every one of us is important to, and welcome in, the Kingdom of God, exactly as we are. Our needs may vary from person to person, but even these needs can bless us and bless others through us, by the grace and working of God. Oh, how I have longed to see this portrayed, and, here it is! This book will bring joy and inspiration to many, many families. Well done!
August 30, 2021
This really is great and worth owning.
November 19, 2021
The artwork is beautiful and the variety of Saints very good.
September 14, 2022
There are so many great things to say about this book. First and foremost, it contains a whole ton (out of the 100 total) of saints and blesseds that are from all over the world (as the title implies) and from every walk of life. This is not a book of the usual list of famous European saints. Those saints are lovely and definitely worth knowing about and emulating, but this collection is so much broader and diverse. It is a great place for any kid to start looking for a heavenly friend.
The author does not shy away from discussing the saints' weaknesses, or difficulties or brokenness. They are beautiful one-page descriptions (with phonetic guides for those hard-to-pronounce names... love this!) where God's glory and mercy shine through. Hunter-Kilmer helps the reader to put themselves in the shoes of these holy people and imagine what it was really like for them. So awesome. My kids love to pick a saint to read about from the world map or one of the helpful (alphabetical and by feast day) indexes.
And on top of that, the illustrations of each and every saint are gorgeous and filled with accurate accents and beautiful symbolism, all of which is explained in the caption.
This is a must-have for a religious library for young kids. It will be a go-to gift for me for 1st Communions and godchildren!
The author does not shy away from discussing the saints' weaknesses, or difficulties or brokenness. They are beautiful one-page descriptions (with phonetic guides for those hard-to-pronounce names... love this!) where God's glory and mercy shine through. Hunter-Kilmer helps the reader to put themselves in the shoes of these holy people and imagine what it was really like for them. So awesome. My kids love to pick a saint to read about from the world map or one of the helpful (alphabetical and by feast day) indexes.
And on top of that, the illustrations of each and every saint are gorgeous and filled with accurate accents and beautiful symbolism, all of which is explained in the caption.
This is a must-have for a religious library for young kids. It will be a go-to gift for me for 1st Communions and godchildren!
May 12, 2022
Another excellent lives of the saints by Meg Hunter-Kilmer, this one for children. Includes well-known classic saints (St Barnabas, St Monica), well-known new saints (St John Henry Newman, St Teresa of Calcutta), and many, many little known saints from all over the world. The biggest contingent seemed to be martyrs of communism in the 20th century, which is appropriate given that there were more Christian martyrs in the 20th century than in all previous centuries combined. So many ordinary people represented here, and with tempered hagiography—the message is that the miracles and special talents of the saints were not what made them saints, it was following God in the little things of everyday life. After the lives, the saints are indexed by geography and patronage, and then listed chronologically by feast day and by when they lived. This is a great resource and also includes watercolor illustrations of each saint that are full of symbolism.
September 21, 2023
A collection of both well known saints and ones we’ve never heard of before. Meg Hunter Kilmer brings them to life with vivid stories and information that is both interesting and fun to read. The gorgeous illustrations and descriptions below the pictures enhance the book so much! Want an even better treat? Buy the audiobook to go along with the physical book and listen while you read along! We are using this as part of my 6th grade daughter’s religious education this year, and she loves listening in the car while looking at the picture.
June 20, 2021
I appreciate how these stories vary by type in addition to geography. I especially love how these accounts were written in a manner that consistently emphasizes how different types of people are all called to holiness, and that our paths are all expected to be different. My kids love the numbered map. They pick numbers and then look up the corresponding story. I hope to purchase copies of this for our parish as a resource for confirmation candidates seeking patrons.
March 14, 2024
Such a beautifully-made, accessible book that caters to children but is just as great to read as an adult. Meg does an excellent job of sharing a diverse range of holy people and their beautifully different lives, so that all of us can see that holiness is something all of us can strive towards, no matter our race, nationality, ability, gender, class, or any other factor. This little book has helped and continues to help me on my own faith journey. Get it for all the kids in your life.
June 25, 2021
A wonderful book of holy men and women from all of the world, from all times and stations.
Beautifully illustrated and written with wisdom and humor with each Saint (or Blessed ) life comes off the page and into my kids' imagination.
Several indexes in the back allow for searching by country, time period, as well as name adding to the book's usefulness. Strongly recommend!
Beautifully illustrated and written with wisdom and humor with each Saint (or Blessed ) life comes off the page and into my kids' imagination.
Several indexes in the back allow for searching by country, time period, as well as name adding to the book's usefulness. Strongly recommend!
September 21, 2023
I was a Catholic Montessori school teacher, and I highly recommend this book. Meg does a beautiful job of selecting Saints, highlighting the beauty of their lives, and delicately writing the reality. Time and time again she’s able to captivate you and in and truly make the Saints become your friends. Every child should have a copy.
June 8, 2021
This is an absolutely beautiful book, both in terms of the illustrations and the writing! There are so many new Saint friends to meet from all over the world. I was in tears at multiple Saint stories. Meg Hunter-Kilmer brings each Saint to life in a very real and meaningful way with her writing.
June 20, 2021
Love it. Kids ask for it and remember details. Hoping an audio version comes out for car!
Beautiful, meaningful illustrations too…. Love love love the watercolors and how clothing, culture and backdrops feed into the story….
Great for all ages!
Beautiful, meaningful illustrations too…. Love love love the watercolors and how clothing, culture and backdrops feed into the story….
Great for all ages!
July 28, 2021
A delightfully wonderful book! My husband is reading it aloud to us story by story at breakfast! I’m getting introduced to so many Saints I never knew before, and a few that I’d already learned about through the author’s posts!
April 2, 2022
My 5 y.o. son wanted to start each homeschool day with this book. He added 2 saints to his favorites list: Bl. Peter Kasui Kibe and Bl. Vasyl Velychkovsky. We would not have know their stories had it not been for this book that we will return to again and again.
June 8, 2021
Beautifully written and illustrated! Informative and engaging for all ages!
June 8, 2021
This is a wonderful book! Each story is told so well! If you get a chance to hear the author do a reading- take it! Great for children and adults!
July 16, 2021
Beautiful book! Meg’s Lives of the Saints for Children is both inspired and fun. I’ve purchased 4 copies so that I could gift them.
October 23, 2021
A wonder. My daughter loves it! Truly something new.
April 20, 2022
This book is wonderful.
November 22, 2022
I love how the author puts in fun relatable details, like how a saint in jail prayed on a rosary made out of bread 🍞. She makes saints interesting for kids.
December 21, 2024
We've read this in a far from systematic method, so I think we've read the whole book but I'm not completely sure. Either way, we enjoyed all the stories and were introduced to many new saints!
December 25, 2023
So many beautiful stories written with such care, reverence, and inspiration I was brought to tears on multiple occasions through my reading. I know I will revisit these stories again. This collection of saint stories is wonderful for children, but I gained a lot of knowledge and felt fire catching in my spirit reading it as a college student. I’d give it 100 stars if I could!
March 26, 2022
This is a wonderful children’s book. The stories are simple and will prove to kids any child has a saint in them
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews