Cardelina: A Story of Joy, Hope and Love
Written and Illustrated by Danielle Catherine Mesa
TESTIMONIALS
“This is a joyful, heart-warming story about a horse, Cardelina, who develops a very special relationship with Billy, a boy with special needs. Cardelina notices that Billy’s behaviors are different than those of the other children who attend the horseback riding center. She makes it her goal to help Billy learn to interact with her and with the other children. This story with its beautiful illustrations captures the essence of God’s love for all His precious children.” – Monsignor Kevin J. O’Leary, Rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, Massachusetts
“Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, calls all of us to… ‘go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the ‘peripheries’ in need of the light of the Gospel.’ In this wonderful story about a child who learns differently and a very perceptive filly named Cardelina, Danielle Mesa shows us how fruitful this vocation to empathy, compassion, and understanding can be… especially with respect to one of the ‘peripheries’ that is all too often overlooked. By way of the innocence, beauty, and humility of the main character, Cardelina, the author has created a powerful and effective witness to the dignity of every person created in the image and likeness of God. And, as Francis reminds us: ‘Jesus, the evangelizer par excellence and the Gospel in person, identifies especially with the little ones.’ (Evangelii Gaudium: Concern for the vulnerable, 209). I hope and pray this gifted author will provide us with more stories featuring the adorable filly… Cardelina; a character that is sure to become a shining star in Christian literature.” – Fr. Lawrence Edward Tucker, SOLT, author of The Prayer of Jesus Crucified; Adventures in the Father’s Joy! (CMA Book Award); To Whom the Heart Decided to Love (CMA Book Award); The Redemption of San Isidro (CMA Book Award); and Masters of Interior Space
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danielle C. Mesa was born in Boston, Massachusetts to a devoted Catholic family. Her father is a deacon serving at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston. The desire of her heart is to use the gifts and talents she has received from God to give praise and glory to the Lord. Danielle’s aspiration is that her book will reveal the joy and hope children with special needs bring to their families and those around them. She holds a fine arts degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Post-Bachelor’s degree from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
To learn more about Danielle and her upcoming projects, visit her on the web at www.daniellecoffeetoons.com
OTHER CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Der Bauer, der Bergmann und der Handwerker
Der Bauer, der Bergmann und der Handwerker Geschrieben von Ben Bongers und illustriert von Courtney Boatwright Wir alle sind Puzzleteile – manche zu klein, manche zu groß, manche fehlende Teile von uns selbst. Dennoch bringen wir anderen in unserem Leben alle...
The Farmer, the Miner and the Artisan by Ben Bongers
The Farmer, the Miner and the Artisan Written by Ben Bongers and Illustrated by Courtney Boatwright We are all puzzle pieces—some too short, some too tall, some missing pieces of ourselves. Yet we all bring special gifts to others in our lives. In this Nativity story,...
The Fourteen Holy Helpers
The Fourteen Holy Helpers Authored by Allison Lunsford and Illustrated by Joan Bennett Saint Acacius, Saint Barbara, Saint Blaise, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Christopher, Saint Cyriacus, Saint Denis, Saint Erasmus, Saint Eustace, Saint George, Saint Giles,...
Even Today by Fr. Dennis Billy, CSsR, and illustrated by Eileen Cunis
Even Today by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., illustrated by Eileen Cunis In this beautifully illustrated children's story, an elderly person visits the sea and reminisces on time spent there as a child. Paperback: $12.99 | Kindle/Nook: $5.99TESTIMONIALS “A wistful...
The Gospel in Kid Speak authored by TJ Burdick
The Gospel in Kid Speak by T.J. Burdick The most important books in the Bible are the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They illustrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, our Lord, Savior and King. In these three volumes of The Gospel in Kid Speak, we...
Lost and Found, authored by Sarah Jane Faidi
Lost and Found by Sarah Jane Faidi and illustrated by Mary Magdalene Van Slyke Princess Martha Bethany is lost in a storm, and the brave Prince John Andrew, studying his maps and the clues he is able to find, sets out in search of her when all else fails....
Jacob’s Wood, authored by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., and illustrated by Eileen Cunis
Jacob's Wood by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., illustrated by Eileen Cunis Jacob’s Wood takes place in ancient Palestine during the time of Jesus. It is the story about a farmer named Jacob, his fondness for a certain tree that grew on his land, and how, because of an act...
Choosing Joy
Choosing Joy by Nancy Olson Choosing Joy is the charming story of a rescued Golden Retriever named Joy. On a deeper level, the story extends a gentle invitation to readers, both young and grown-up, to “choose joy” in their daily living. Choosing Joy is a...
Hunter Finds a Home
Hunter Finds a Home by Nancy Olson With charming pictures and simple words, Hunter Finds a Home tells the story of a homeless cat that wandered into the backyard and the lives of a family of dog-lovers. At first unwanted and unwelcome, the young cat is...
The Missing Chalice
The Missing Chalice by David C. Hanley and illustrated by Richard E. Hanley In this children’s mystery, an experienced pastor finds his special chalice missing. Senior Server Brian Jacobs has been serving at daily Mass for five years. He understands the importance of...
The Story of Our God and Our Catholic Religion
The Story of Our God and Our Catholic Religion by Dominic Tarquin Catholic children should have a basic understanding of their faith before receiving the sacraments of reconciliation and communion. The goal of this book is to help young children to understand the...
Secrets of Siena
Secrets of Siena by Dianne Ahern Book 4 of the series! Even nuns get to take a holiday! After all the investigations Sister Philomena’s conducted this summer, she needs one. In this adventure, Sister Philomena, her niece, Delaney, and nephew, Riley, are invited to...
Curse of the Coins
Curse of the Coins by Dianne Ahern Book 3 of the series! The 30 pieces of silver that Judas was paid for betraying Jesus were found in Israel. The Franciscan monks of Jerusalem sent the coins to the Vatican Museums for authentication and safekeeping – but then they...
Break-In at the Basilica
Break-In at the Basilica by Dianne Ahern Book 2 of the series! Luigi, a desperately poor man, breaks into the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, Italy, to steal something of great value. He hides behind the wooden choir stalls and waits for nightfall. The howl of a...
Lost in Peter’s Tomb
Lost in Peter’s Tomb by Dianne Ahern Book 1 of the series! Lost in Peter’s Tomb is the first book in a series of mystery adventures designed to present the stories of the saints in an intriguing and educational manner. Set in modern Italy, the stories follow a brother...
Today I Made My First Reconciliation
Today I Made My First Reconciliationby Dianne AhernWonderfully instructional book!Best friends Maria and Riley accidentally break a window then lie to their parents. Their growing discomfort coincides with encounters with their parish priests and teachers and lessons...
Today I Made My First Communion
Today I Made My First Communionby Dianne AhernA favorite gift for First Communion!Join Maria and Riley and their classmates as they offer to help Father Hugo solve the Mystery of the Eucharist. Learn about the Church, the Mass, music and prayer. “Look in the Back of...
Today I Was Baptized
Today I Was Baptized by Dianne Ahern All time best seller! Begins with a children’s story about a baby’s baptism day-told from the baby’s perspective! Includes short essays that explain the sacrament of Baptism. The book becomes a keepsake for this very special day...
The Rosary in Kidspeak
The Rosary in Kidspeak by TJ Burdick This book was designed to help families pray the rosary with their children. Each mystery includes a piece of sacred art, a description of each mystery in “kid speak”, and instructions on how to pray this treasured method of prayer...