This book is a great introduction to the unit on Mary which I planned for this month of May. I would recommend this book for grades k-4. There is a great video on Vimeo, appropriate for Catholic School students (https://vimeo.com/416030245) which includes a read-aloud of Mary, as well as a prayer and song in honor of Mary. ( )

This picture book highlights key events from the life of the Blessed Mother according to Scripture and Tradition. Each event is given a double-page spread, narrated in simple language, and accompanied by a prayer verse and a brightly-coloured full page illustration. I would recommend this title especially during the Epiphany season in the month of January, the month of May traditionally dedicated to Our Lady, or for the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary on Sept. 15th.

More complete Tridentine Catholic calendar connections:
* Presentation of the Child Mary at the Temple (Nov. 21)
* Annunciation (Mar. 25)
* Visitation (July 2)
* Birth of Jesus (Dec. 25)
* Presentation of the Boy Jesus in the Temple (Feb. 2; Seven Sorrows Sept. 15)
* Adoration of the Magi (Jan. 6)
* Flight into Egypt (Sept. 15; Holy Innocents Dec. 28)
* Boy Jesus in the Temple (Holy Family = 1st Sunday after Epiphany; Sept. 15)
* Marriage at Cana (2nd Sunday after Epiphany)
* Mary's Solitude (Friday in Passion Week; Sept. 15)
* Coming of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost Sunday)
* Mary is Taken to Heaven (Aug. 15)
* The Queen of Heaven (May 31) ( )

Mary was a gift to her parents who were with out children. When she became old enough Joseph was chosen to be her husband and soon hears from an angel that Mary is with child from the holy spirit. Mary gave birth to this child, Christ the Lord, Jesus. Mary and Joeseph are told that their child will be rejected by people and they will feel sadness. When Jesus was 12 he stayed in Jerusalem in his “father’s house” after a visit for Passover, with out his parents being aware of this. Jesus developed into a minister as he worked miracles until he was crucified. Later, Mary is dying but she is not afraid because she knows she will reunite with her son. She is now seen as the queen of heaven. This biography does not seem to be a very good one because the focus quickly drifts from Mary to Jesus. Jesus’ life seen through Mary’s perspective in this book, but it does not seem like a true biography to me. I probably will not be able to share this book if I am working in a public school but I do not know that I would want to anyway because it is more a story of Jesus than Mary. However, it is cool to get to know a little more about Mary because she seems to be given little credit for the huge role she played. ( )