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Animals of God, Volume Two
More Children's Stories of Animals Who Encountered Saints . . . Told from the Animals' Points of View!
Volume Two includes:
"The Lion Who Lost His Appetite"
Rex the Lion has it made. A bloody persecution is being raged against the Christians of Antioch, and it's Rex's job, along with his wife Leonie the Lioness, to meet'n'eat the helpless prisoners thrown into the Colosseum. Rex can hardly wait! After all, what more could a lion want than a tasty man for breakfast every morning? Sure, he misses his home in the jungle and detests his cage, but the delectable menu makes it well worth it. Then one day a beautiful young lady named Thecla is thrown into the arena to be killed, and things will never be the same for Rex and Leonie again. A delightful tale of a saint's unwavering trust and God's infinite power, told from the lion's point of view!
"Cuthbert for Breakfast"
Chester the Gosling would give anything to be like his big brother Cuthbert. Cuthbert has it all - sleek handsome feathers, strong graceful wings, a winning personality, and a whole gaggle of friends. In fact, Cuthbert is the most popular gander around. He and his buddies have all the fun, while poor little Chester with his downy feathers can only paddle around the pond with his best friend Delmer, learning to swim. When Cuthbert and the Goose Gang plan a raid on a cornfield, Chester begs his brother to let him and Delmer come. Little do they know, as they fly off on their first great adventure, that things are about to go terribly wrong. When the geese are captured and his brother killed, Chester knows all is lost. Enter Saint Werburga, the owner of the cornfield, and a breathtaking miracle is performed. An endearing story of brotherly love and God's unfailing mercy, told by the little goose's point of view!
Volume Two includes:
"The Lion Who Lost His Appetite"
Rex the Lion has it made. A bloody persecution is being raged against the Christians of Antioch, and it's Rex's job, along with his wife Leonie the Lioness, to meet'n'eat the helpless prisoners thrown into the Colosseum. Rex can hardly wait! After all, what more could a lion want than a tasty man for breakfast every morning? Sure, he misses his home in the jungle and detests his cage, but the delectable menu makes it well worth it. Then one day a beautiful young lady named Thecla is thrown into the arena to be killed, and things will never be the same for Rex and Leonie again. A delightful tale of a saint's unwavering trust and God's infinite power, told from the lion's point of view!
"Cuthbert for Breakfast"
Chester the Gosling would give anything to be like his big brother Cuthbert. Cuthbert has it all - sleek handsome feathers, strong graceful wings, a winning personality, and a whole gaggle of friends. In fact, Cuthbert is the most popular gander around. He and his buddies have all the fun, while poor little Chester with his downy feathers can only paddle around the pond with his best friend Delmer, learning to swim. When Cuthbert and the Goose Gang plan a raid on a cornfield, Chester begs his brother to let him and Delmer come. Little do they know, as they fly off on their first great adventure, that things are about to go terribly wrong. When the geese are captured and his brother killed, Chester knows all is lost. Enter Saint Werburga, the owner of the cornfield, and a breathtaking miracle is performed. An endearing story of brotherly love and God's unfailing mercy, told by the little goose's point of view!
120 pages, Paperback
Published March 19, 2016
9 people want to read
About the author
Susan Peek
28 books157 followersSusan Peek is a widow, mother, grandmother, and Third Order Franciscan. Her passion is writing stories of little-known saints and heroes. She's a member of the Catholic Writers' Guild and one of the founding authors of CatholicTeenBooks.com.
All of her young adult novels have been implemented into Catholic school curricula not only across the nation, but in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as well. "Saint Magnus, The Last Viking" and "The King's Prey" were both Amazon #1 Sellers among Catholic books, and "Crusader King" was featured as one of the 50 Most Popular Catholic Homeschooling Books in 2013.
Susan lives in northeastern Kansas, where she is busy working on her new novel.
All of her young adult novels have been implemented into Catholic school curricula not only across the nation, but in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as well. "Saint Magnus, The Last Viking" and "The King's Prey" were both Amazon #1 Sellers among Catholic books, and "Crusader King" was featured as one of the 50 Most Popular Catholic Homeschooling Books in 2013.
Susan lives in northeastern Kansas, where she is busy working on her new novel.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 26, 2016
Since we enjoyed the first book so much, my kids and I couldn’t wait to dive into this second volume of Animals of God by Susan Peek. Sure enough, this book was as delightful and entertaining as the first!
This volume contains two well-developed stories. In the first, two captive, ravenous lions anticipate their next meal—a human sentenced to die in the Colosseum—but when the lions race to attack the beautiful young Thecla, something amazing happens!
In the second story, Chester the gosling longs to be just like his older brother Cuthbert, so he joins him on a daring cornfield raid. When a horrible fate befalls his brother, Chester believes all hope is lost—until he witnesses a miracle and learns the true meaning of the word “saint.”
Animals of God teaches valuable lessons of courage, faith, love, mercy, and more. These lively and memorable tales are never dry or preachy. They contain just the right touch of fascinating “scariness” for children while providing excitement, humor, and happy endings. And the illustrations are gorgeous.
Each story is told from the animal’s point of view and is divided into five chapters. My plan was to read one chapter to my kids each night before bed, but I kept on reading because we just had to know what happened next! And when the book ends, the fun continues with bonus coloring pages.
When I asked my 7-year-old which book he liked best, he said, “I like them both best!” Indeed, both volumes of Animals of God are top-notch children’s books that deserve a place in every Catholic family. They’re sure to be well-read and well-loved.
Reviewed by:
Therese Heckenkamp
Catholic author of Past Suspicion, Frozen Footprints, and After the Thaw
This volume contains two well-developed stories. In the first, two captive, ravenous lions anticipate their next meal—a human sentenced to die in the Colosseum—but when the lions race to attack the beautiful young Thecla, something amazing happens!
In the second story, Chester the gosling longs to be just like his older brother Cuthbert, so he joins him on a daring cornfield raid. When a horrible fate befalls his brother, Chester believes all hope is lost—until he witnesses a miracle and learns the true meaning of the word “saint.”
Animals of God teaches valuable lessons of courage, faith, love, mercy, and more. These lively and memorable tales are never dry or preachy. They contain just the right touch of fascinating “scariness” for children while providing excitement, humor, and happy endings. And the illustrations are gorgeous.
Each story is told from the animal’s point of view and is divided into five chapters. My plan was to read one chapter to my kids each night before bed, but I kept on reading because we just had to know what happened next! And when the book ends, the fun continues with bonus coloring pages.
When I asked my 7-year-old which book he liked best, he said, “I like them both best!” Indeed, both volumes of Animals of God are top-notch children’s books that deserve a place in every Catholic family. They’re sure to be well-read and well-loved.
Reviewed by:
Therese Heckenkamp
Catholic author of Past Suspicion, Frozen Footprints, and After the Thaw
May 10, 2016
Whether it’s teen fiction or stories for kids, Susan Peek is a fantastic writer who knows how to bring characters to life and send them on exciting adventures. In Animals of God Volume Two, the character are animals and the adventures involve saints. The first story, The Lion Who Lost His Appetite, takes readers back through history to the first century where a saintly Christian woman is sentenced to be eaten by wild beasts. With elements of humor, tension, and awe, this story is told from the lions’ point of view.
In the second story, Cuthbert for Breakfast, children will identify with the main character, a young goose named Chester who admires his older brother and wants to do the things he does. As the story unfolds, the geese find themselves in a bit of trouble and then face to face with a saint! I like how the little goose Chester, while younger and weaker than the older geese, acts with courage and determination to save his brother.
I also feel the artwork is just as detailed and beautiful as in Volume One. Young children will have not only something to help them visualize the story but also the extra coloring pages in the back.
Peek’s stories definitely entertain, but they also encourage virtue and make me love the little-known saints she writes about. After reading each of her stories, I can’t help but try to learn more about the saints in them.
In the second story, Cuthbert for Breakfast, children will identify with the main character, a young goose named Chester who admires his older brother and wants to do the things he does. As the story unfolds, the geese find themselves in a bit of trouble and then face to face with a saint! I like how the little goose Chester, while younger and weaker than the older geese, acts with courage and determination to save his brother.
I also feel the artwork is just as detailed and beautiful as in Volume One. Young children will have not only something to help them visualize the story but also the extra coloring pages in the back.
Peek’s stories definitely entertain, but they also encourage virtue and make me love the little-known saints she writes about. After reading each of her stories, I can’t help but try to learn more about the saints in them.
September 10, 2023
Susan Peek is an incredibly gifted storyteller. Whether she's writing for teens or younger children, her specialty is writing about little known saints. The two stories in this volume are written for kids, but the entire family will be enthralled as they learn about two amazing female saints, St. Thecla and St. Werburga. While the younger family members will be mesmerized as the two miraculous incidents are brought to life through the viewpoints of the animals these incredible women affected, readers of all ages will be touched by Thecla's courageous bravery and Weburga's gracious kindness.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews