The Little Saints, Big Hearts books tell the true stories of the saints, gently, for ages 4 to 9. Each book ends with a simple prayer and a “Be a Little Saint” challenge to carry into the week.
One saint and one virtue in each book. Read them in any order.
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Loving all of God's creation
Long ago, in the sunny hills of Italy, a boy who had everything discovered the one thing that finally made him happy.
Meet Saint Francis of Assisi — the boy who gave away his riches, embraced the outcast everyone else feared, and preached to the birds. His story gently shows little hearts that the greatest treasure of all is a life full of love: for God, for people, and for every creature under Brother Sun.
Doing small things with great love
In a house full of love in France, a little girl who felt everything deeply dreamed of doing something great for God.
Meet Saint Thérèse — the girl who was “far too young,” who bravely asked the Pope himself, and who discovered a secret that changed everything: you don't have to be big or famous to be a saint. You only have to do small things with great love.
Courage
In a little French village, an ordinary farm girl heard God call her to do something impossible — and she was brave enough to say yes.
Meet Saint Joan of Arc — the girl who put on armor, carried her banner into battle, and saw her king crowned, all before she was twenty. Her story shows little hearts that God can do great things through anyone with the courage to follow him.
Giving without expecting anything in return
Have you ever wondered where Santa Claus comes from? It all began with a real man, long ago, who loved to give in secret.
Meet Saint Nicholas — the kind bishop who tossed bags of gold through a window to rescue three sisters, and who spent his whole life giving secret gifts for the love of God. His joyful story shows little hearts that the very best presents are the ones we give without expecting anything in return.
Being a true and loyal friend
In the same green hills of Italy where Saint Francis lived, a wealthy young girl gave up everything to follow the very same beautiful dream.
Meet Saint Clare of Assisi — Francis's dearest friend, who left her grand home to live simply for God, gathered a joyful company of sisters, and stayed faithful to their dream her whole life long. Her story shows little hearts what it truly means to be a friend: someone who stays, who keeps a promise, and who helps the people they love be good and brave.
Faith and the beauty of creation
Long ago, in a forest village by a wide green river, a gentle Mohawk girl fell in love with the God who made the whole beautiful world.
Meet Saint Kateri Tekakwitha — the “Lily of the Mohawks,” who found God among the trees and rivers she loved, held fast to Jesus through every hardship, and cared for everyone around her with a quiet, joyful heart. Her story gently shows little hearts that faith can shine anywhere, and that all of creation is a gift to love and thank God for.
Joy and befriending children
Long ago, a poor farm boy learned to juggle and tumble — and used the greatest show in the village to lead other children straight to God.
Meet Saint John Bosco — the joyful priest who filled a lonely city with laughter, made a home for boys who had no one to care for them, and won every heart not with fear but with kindness. His story gently shows little hearts that joy and gentleness are how we share God's love, and that no one is ever too small or too forgotten to be loved.
Ten illustrated spreads with short, gentle sentences, written to be read aloud to ages 4 to 7 and read alone from about age 7.
A page for grown-ups and older children with the saint's real story, what they are patron of, and when we celebrate their feast day.
A short prayer a child can say with you at bedtime, in words they can understand.
One small, concrete way to live the saint's virtue this week, so the story carries on after the book is closed.
Full-color paperback, 8.5 × 8.5 inches, and a Kindle edition. Watercolor-style illustrations throughout.
A page for each of the seven saints with their prayer and three small challenges for the week. Print as many as you like for home, class or parish.
PDF, 8 pages. Opens in a new tab.
Give a saint's story on their feast day, or for a Baptism, First Communion, birthday or Christmas.
Help choose which saint's story we tell next.
The joyful priest who juggled for his boys, in time for Catholic Schools Week.
A saint's true story, told gently, with a prayer to keep.
The farm girl who bravely said yes to God.
The first Native American saint, who thanked God for his beautiful world.
Saint Francis's dearest friend, and a story about true friendship.
Saint stories for Pre-K to grade 3, with a free printable.
The Little Flower, and her Little Way of small things done with great love.
The joyful saint who loved all of God's creation.
Stories, easy costumes, a free classroom pack and a simple prayer for November 1.
The true story of the kind bishop behind Santa Claus.
Seven saint stories to read aloud together.
Three more saints are on the way.
These are the stories we're working on now. Titles and timing may change as each book takes shape.
Which saint should come after these? Vote for your favorite or suggest one.