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 https://www.daniellecatherinemesa.com/

OTHER CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Even Today

by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., illustrated by Eileen Cunis

TESTIMONIALS

“A wistful remembrance that will delight both children and those reading to them.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Catholic author and parent

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. is professor emeritus at the Alphonsian Academy in Rome. The author of many books and articles, he is a popular spiritual director and active in his order’s retreat ministry. This is his first children’s story.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Eileen Cunis, a convert to Catholicism, is a wife, mother, grandmother, and life-long artist living in New Hampshire.

OTHER CHILDREN’S BOOKS

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 place a magnifying glass on the God made man so that our youngest children may also study Christ’s ways and ultimately imitate them.

Reading and interpreting the Gospels is not an easy task, not even for an adult. For children, the task becomes even more difficult. How could we possibly hold them accountable for understanding truths as complex as the Incarnation or the Immaculate Conception when their minds and souls are still in their infancy stages?

As a parent to five children, I wrote the Gospel for each Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation in language that they could understand as young as three years old. I compiled each of my renditions of the Gospel into three books, one for each liturgical cycle so that my kids could understand the complexities of the Gospel messages in easy-to-understand “Kid Speak.”

For my children who were still struggling with understanding the read-alouds (or if they simply couldn’t sit still yet :-), I found a piece of Sacred Art that visually illustrates the Gospel for each week. I figured where my words may fail (which they do!), the genius of artists from the past two millennia could succeed. Based on using this method with all four of my kids, I can assure my reader that it works.

200 full-color glossy pages of all three Gospel cycles (a, b, and c)!

Paperback $29.95

Testimonials

Forthcoming

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

T.J. Burdick is the author of several books and article on the Catholic faith. He is the founder of the Dominican Institute (dominicaninstitute.com) and blogger at tjburdick.com. A missionary to Latin America, T.J. writes on how to grow in holiness amongst the distractions and difficulties of the current age. He resides in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife and five children when he is not on mission all over Latin America and throughout the United States.

Lost and Found

by Sarah Jane Faidi and illustrated by Mary Magdalene Van Slyke

TESTIMONIALS

“A tale reminiscent of Peter Rabbit’s scrape with Farmer McGregor – a delightful conclusion to an adventurous mishap!” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Father of Once Small Children

REPRESENTATIVE ILLUSTRATIONS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Jane Faidi, now retired, enjoyed teaching elementary classes in the American School of Algiers, teaching English in Paris, France, and eventually French in Texas. Her children and grandchildren live on the east and west coast as well as in Texas. She and her husband, both graduates of the University of Texas, reside in Trophy Club, Texas.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Mary Magdalene Van Slyke is one of Sarah’s many grandchildren. She began illustrating Lost and Found as a young girl, when the the story about her and her siblings was first shared with them. She later completed the illustrations in a different style than the earlier ones while expecting her first child. Now the mother of a darling baby girl, Lucia, Mary Magdalene lives with her young family in Dallas, Texas.

OTHER CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Jacob’s Wood

by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., illustrated by Eileen Cunis

TESTIMONIALS

“A powerful and gripping story that will capture the imagination of every child.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Catholic author and parent

“This is a gorgeously illustrated book that brings the kindness and mercy of Jesus Christ to life! I love so many things about it — from the child-friendly font, to the larger print (making it easier for older parents like myself to read it to their children), to the poetic, captivating language and story line — it is truly a little treasure which should find a home in every Catholic home! I love the small paperback format. It is light but not cheaply made. I also really appreciate how vibrant the colors of the illustrations are, and how carefully they have been crafted by the illustrator. Books like this need to be shared! I have 7 children, whom I homeschool, and we really rely on great Catholic children’s books to catechize our family. It is wonderful to have something in addition to the typical Saint story to share with my children.” – Magdalene, an Amazon reviewer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. is professor emeritus at the Alphonsian Academy in Rome. The author of many books and articles, he is a popular spiritual director and active in his order’s retreat ministry. This is his first children’s story.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Eileen Cunis, a convert to Catholicism, is a wife, mother, grandmother, and life-long artist living in New Hampshire.

OTHER CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Choosing Joy

by Nancy Olson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In Choosing Joy, Nancy Olson looks through a spiritual lens as she merges her writing skills with her photography.  Nancy holds a B.A. in English from Webster University, St. Louis, and her photography has appeared in corporate collateral materials as well as on magazine covers and in calendars.  Nancy and her husband live in St. Louis where she is an active member of Community Bible Study.

OTHER CHILDREN’S BOOKS