Stories of the Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace, and Courage

by Carey Wallace, Nick Thornborrow (Illustrator)

Saints are the superheroes of Christianity, possessed of extraordinary power and will, thrown against fate, rising to the occasion in the most dramatic and inspiring ways. Sometimes they prevail, sometimes they come to a tragic end—but always they change the world they live in for the better.
    In this freshly told and boldly illustrated new book of saints, here are the stories of the greatest saints, from Augustine to Mother Teresa (officially canonized as St. Teresa of Calcutta). Meet Joan of Arc, the teenager whose faith inspired her to lead an army when the king’s courage failed. Francis of Assisi, whose gentleness tamed a man-eating wolf. Christopher, whose medal is often worn by travelers. Valentine, a bishop in the time of ancient Rome, who spoke so often of Christ’s love that his saint’s day, February 14, has been associated with courtly love since the Middle Ages. St. Thomas Aquinas, the great teacher. Peter Claver, who cared for hundreds of thousands of people on slave ships after their voyage as captives. Bernadette, whose vision of Mary instructed her to dig the spring that became the healing waters of Lourdes.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Religion, Childrens, Faith, Picture Books, History

232 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2020

About the author

Carey Wallace was raised in small towns in Michigan. Her work has appeared in Oasis, SPSM&H, Detroit's MetroTimes and quarrtsiluni, which she guest-edited in 2008. She is a founder of the Working Artists Initiative for the International Arts Movement, which helps emerging artists establish strong creative habits, of the Zoae Series, a New York arts showcase which she directed until 2008, and of the event-based Lost City Gallery, which has connected young artists with patrons in both New York and Detroit. She is a photographer with Detroit Safari, which has documented Detroit's vulnerable abandoned landmarks annually since 2003. In 2000, she also founded an annual arts retreat, The Hillbilly Underground, which draws nationally-recognized filmakers, writers, fine artists, and musicians to rural Michigan each summer. She lives and works in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

St Francis again adorns the cover of a book for children about the saints, but this is a Radagast, tonsure-less Francis. If other children's books about saints are too twee, Stories of the Saints takes a bolder tack.

The artwork here is high-impact, with deep colors and dramatic composition. Nick Thornborrow's artwork will appeal to kids who think badly of the normal, sweet-faced depictions of saints. Many of the illustrations may read as scary to younger or more sensitive children, with their dark colors, shadows hinting at violence, and focus on darkness as a whole. For example, Joan of Arc's section contains a full-page spread of Joan leading soldiers into battle; John of the Cross is shown descending from his imprisonment into thorns; St Vincent de Paul's page depicts pirates (I'm assuming it's showing Vincent's time ministering to prisoners forced to labor on ships). Oh, and St Valentine is a dead ringer for Lucius Malfoy.

I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why the illustration accompanying John Chrysostom looks like a terrifying devil god receiving counsel from two demons. I assume it's portraying Arcadius conspiring with Theophilus and Eudoxia, but Eudoxia is nearly identical to Theophilus and wears the same headgear. Arcadius, actually, looks like the one wearing a bishop's hat. Maybe a golden tongue was too weird to draw? Most of the illustrations accompany the stories much better than this one.

The amount of text varies from saint to saint, but the writing is peppy and generally focused on action. Ideal for the independent middle grade reader who wants religious history to pack more of a punch. The size of the book (overlong but not that wide) would be awkward for reading aloud, and it's awkward enough for individual reading, but it does serve the dramatic page spreads. The printing is very high-quality, with metallic gold accents lending even more impact to the illustrations. After the Great Schism, all the saints are Western, nearly exclusively Roman Catholic. Here's hoping other traditions get such a luscious treatment for their saints, too.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book of saint stories, especially the way it was organized historically instead of being organized alphabetically or by feast day. This makes it easier to connect them to each other and understand them in relation to the time periods in which they lived.

However it should be noted that the author is not a Catholic, and although her respect for the saints is evident, she does not believe in the Eucharist so some of her wording un-necessarily diminishes what is a very important part of the faith of the very saints she writes about.

[Amber Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Beautiful artwork and amazing stories about the Saints!

[Johana the reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

In March, I read this book only. This book helped me see the world in a whole new different way. Saints are humans, but they are people who are persistent in their humble life, praying, and devotion to Jesus as well as others.

Writing style: A perfect book for both adults and children. In my opinion, parents should read this book to their children before going to bed. The book would inspire the children, and they could become someone with great humanity.

Beautiful, Inspiring, Wonderful, Unforgettable, to-read-again

[Travis Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

We received this as a gift for my son at his baptism and have been reading a chapter to him every night before bed. Admittedly…he’s two months old so he isn’t following along just yet. But the illustrations and stories are absolutely beautiful. It’s a wonderful resource for introducing your children to the great tradition and the saints and martyrs through the centuries. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

[Skari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a really great introduction to the Saints, especially for bedtime story or pleasure reading. It's not dry at all, and the illustrations are gorgeous.

[Lizzi ☾ arsenic.and.old.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know how I came across this book but I’m so glad I did, because this has got to be the most stunning book of saints that I have yet read.

I love reading stories about saints. But not the overplayed, typically 'perfect’ ones with boring lives that so many seem to associate the word 'saint’ with; I prefer the flawed, the firey, and the courageous with incredible legends and stories surrounding them.

Although technically labeled a religious book, the legends and stories of these courageous people of history are truly inspiring, and at the very least awesome tales that have been passed down for hundreds and thousands of years. I haven’t finished, but I'm devouring this book and can’t take my eyes off Thornborrow’s stunning artwork, which brings to mind Crossley-Holland’s illustrations in 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝑴𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒔, and has gold-foil accents on nearly every illustration.

Placed in chronological order, the book includes many Eastern saints that I was so happy to see, before eventually branching off into strictly Western saints (specifically Italian and French). That being said, there are lots of other saints I wish they had included, but I guess you can’t have them all. Some of my personal favorites that were included are:

𝐂𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚 - patron of music, guarded by a huge firey-winged angel to protect her if her husband ever tried to abuse her.

𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐬 - associated with Sinterklaas (Santa Claus), he saved three young girls from being forced into prostitution by their father.

𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 - patron of veterinarians, a doctor who tended to hundreds of wild animals while hiding in a woodland cave.

𝐉𝐨𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐫𝐜 - the brave young girl who led an army, saved France, and was eventually burned at the stake.

𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨 - known for his strange, vivid, and prophetic dreams.

[Heatherjoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worth it for the illustrations alone. They are just incredible. I enjoyed many of the stories of the saints lives. While I know many of the saints by name, their stories are less familiar and this is an excellent short introduction. I do find some of them quite odd and even sometimes uncomfortable (anything that rewards participating in violence, for example). The only actual complaint I have is the description (twice) in Maximilian Kolbe’s chapter that priests were treated worse than other prisoners in concentration camps. That’s quite a bold claim to make and adds nothing important to Kolbe’s love and compassion. Given the Church’s history with Judaism, it would be better if that bit had been left out.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is phenomenal! I wonder what the selection process was for the included saints. Twas not a broad list, as many if not most were from Italy. And it was jarring to have a hagiographic story after a more historical story. The ones that were good were really good, though!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

What drew me to this book turned out to be its only redeeming quality and the sole reason it gets more than one star - the illustrations. They are stunning, but the content was not my cup of tea and the writing was mediocre at best.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and beautifully told stories of the saints.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning artwork! The writing isn’t so great but I loved the collection of Saints.

[Elise Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book. The illustrations really hooked me in, and they brought the book to life.

However, the stories weren't written very engaging, and I understand there were 77 to cover.

[Dorothy Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently done, approachable for all ages and denominations, beautiful illustrations

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good reference book for the kiddos.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and that was what initially drew me in. I found the writing to be a bit choppy at times, but written well enough for the target audience (10 year olds?) to understand. She covers many saints from Ancient Rome to contemporary times, and refers to saints from earlier in the book as you read which helps link all these stories together. I read it on ebook but I’m thinking of purchasing it hardcover if only for the illustrations.

[Robert Federline · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard not to enjoy a book on the lives of the saints. This is well-written and beautifully illustrated. It is also not dumbed down, even though it may be enjoyed by elementary students. Adults as well should enjoy the retelling of lives of many famous saints, as well as several who are lesser known.

The failing of this book is also one its strengths. When you are finished, you find yourself disappointed that there are not more saints covered, and you wish their stories were longer and more detailed. These are not truly faults in the book, because there is only so much that can be fit into a book of this nature. It should, however, inspire a wider reading list. It already inspires in urging, without preaching, readers to lead better lives.

I have often heard the complaint, from non-Catholics, that the saints are unnecessary since all we need is Jesus. We need the saints as well, especially on those days when we may not feel worthy to draw near to Jesus. The saints illustrate the qualities of Jesus, and show direct applications of those qualities in concrete situations which appear in our own lives. They help us to see the real struggles to live as Jesus did, and the amazing rewards of living virtuously.

This book is a great illustration of saints from ancient times to modern times. It is an excellent reminder that even though the world may appear to change, God does not. What matters does not. Following God is still the most important thing anyone can do. Every time we act with love, we shine God's light into this dark world.

[Sabrina K · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.9 / 5 stars

The last .01 that would've given this book 5 stars is simply that I wish it were longer!

I was nervous purchasing this book as I couldn't see any preview of the illustrations or the stories within it, so I was taking a gamble on this being a good one.

And I was wrong - it wasn't a good one, it was an AMAZING one.

I absolutely loved going through this book. Learning about the saints is so inspiring and the beautiful illustrations made it wonderful to just gaze at. The stories themselves are a good length for a short read before bed, or for a longer read going through multiple saints. The stories themselves are like little snapshots into their lives - some recounting their whole life in a few paragraphs, some focusing on a major event in their life.
I'd say this book is great for any age; it may seem like a children's book, but I can see many adults and adolescents enjoying this book just as much, and maybe even appreciate it more.

I wish there were certain other saints included in this book, but, seeing as there are more than 10 000 of them, I think they did a good job with their picks.

I hope they'll publish another one with more saints... I could not get enough of those magnificent illustrations!

[Daphyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated oversized hardback book of stories about 70 Saints. The stories are geared towards children and difficult events are presented in an age appropriate manner. I also appreciate that the Saints were presented in chronological order of when they lived.

Some of the stories felt a bit like Catholic versions of Aesop’s fables and I was dubious about how realistic they might be. Others were clearly based in historical fact. That said either way these are still great stories of people who lived sacrificial lives.

Only change I’d have made is the addition of an index in the back that would list the 70 Saints by their feast days.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was an interesting collection of stories with AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL artwork (at least most of the artwork). I wasn't overly in love with the author's way of writing though. Too many short sentences that really only needed a ",and" rather than ". And". Made the writing seem unnecessarily simplistic, even for the young readers the book is targeted toward. Still, it's worth a look for the art alone.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to saints

Entertaining book for all ages, that shines a light on some lesser known Saints. The author uses language that is clear yet imaginative, a great read for children 8-12 years. The art work at the end of each chapter is beautiful. Deducted one star because of some factual inaccuracies that could have been avoided had the author or editor used Google.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book with beautiful illustrations and great stories about many christian saints that are famous and not as well-known. A wonderful read that inspired me to become more intimate with Christ and helped reaffirm my faith in Him through the great miracles the saints performed and experienced.

[A. Stampfli · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book was pretty short,it was very informative. It contained a lot of the well known Catholic saints( IE, St. Joan of Arc, St. Francis of Assisi), but it also had a lot of relatively unknown ones, like St. Moses the Black. The illustrations were also gorgeous.

[Ready To Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, important and interesting content. Really great book about saints, most of them I barely didn't know. The stories told in a simple, understandable way. I'm really recommend that book, there is a lot of interesting information in it. Great, charming and clever position.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know if all these stories are true, but it’s neat to read all the stories and legends behind the Catholic saints. A lot of towns, rivers, holidays, famous people, and other things are named after them! The pictures are beautiful too!

[Rey Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

from stories of joy to beautiful, sweeping art, this book has it all. as someone who isn’t particularly religious, this book was wonderful to approach. it taught me lessons about courage and strength that i’d never thought about before, along with life lessons that i’ll carry with me for a while.

[Bianca Scharff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories of each saint were beautiful and inspiring. Each one was to the point with beautiful artwork that inspires the imagination and honestly just makes you want to be a better person. I would definitely recommend.

[Brad · Rating 1 out of 5]

High hopes, once again, dashed against the rocks.

Don't judge a book by its cover, in this case, the cover is the best part of the book.

The art goes down hill.

The stories were not bold or inspiring.

And adventure, grace, and courage were white-washed.

[Eme87 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and well written stories about the saints.

[Laura McAninch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best saint books I've read geared for both school aged kids and adults. I'm really glad to have this tool to use while teaching religion classes.