Once upon a Time Saints [Paperback]

Ethel Pochocki (Author), Tom Matt (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

These stories, the author explains, are meant to show human and lovable people whose mysterious passion for God led them into preposterous escapades. With an eye on the taste of a child for concrete detail and no apologies for the embroidery of legend, each tale, in a style akin to fairy-tale, sets forth the unique qualities of a Genevieve, a Felix, a Dorothy, or Comgall-16 real saints brought unforgettably to our attention and admiration.
Illustrated by Tom Matt.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ethel Pochocki described herself as "an ordinary person" who happened to "make soup and raise kids and write stories." Both kitchencraft and the experience of raising children--eight of them, now grown up--contributed to a whimsical, down-to-earth and understanding touch that caused her stories to make ready friends. Ethel Pochocki wrote books, tales and articles for both children and adults. Though born in Bayonne, New Jersey, she lived for many years in Maine, where she concocted adventures with the ordinary but vivid ingredients of life--"books, cats, music, frogs, hollyhocks." Out of her lifelong insight into the way facts mix with fancy and heaven mingles with earth, came Once Upon a Time Saints and More Once Upon a Time Saints. Ethel Pochocki died on December 1, 2010 at the age of 85.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 82 pages
• Publisher: Bethlehem Books; Revised edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883937159
• ISBN-13: 978-1883937157
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Catholicism > Saints

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It couldn't get better..., October 17, 2004

By 

mamasaurus (wny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once upon a Time Saints (Paperback)

I read this, a saint at a time, to my 5 and 8 year old sons at bedtime. They loved it and want more, more, more. The eight year old proposed the title of this review. I liked it because the saints are not saccharin but they are hereos of virtue and the author makes them touchable. I'm at Amazon now to order the sequel.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My husband can't put this book down - BEST SAINT story book, July 1, 2007

By 

P. von Clef "Catholic home educator" (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once upon a Time Saints (Paperback)

My husband and I have shared the bedtime story routine for many years, but in the past year his work schedule had him giving that opportunity primarily to me. That was, until this book. He has now become the only bedtime story reader! In fact, I would often catch him reading the "next saint" after the children went to bed. The stories are fascinating and inspiring. Often the children (9 & 10yo) request a story repeated again and again.

Despite reading many saint story books over the years, I had never heard of most of these saint stories. I also have saint books that have sat on the shelf as they were too dry (born this year, known for this ...) for the children. However, this book is ALIVE and told in an engaging "storytellers" fashion. My children even request we read the stories to their friends when they are visiting.

I anticipated the need, as they were getting close to the end of the book, and ordered the sequel book BEFORE they finished this one; my husband and the children were very grateful (actually almost relieved - they didn't want it to end).

The only negative is that these books are so wonderful we are spoiled forever; we cannot wait till a third book is published and hope it is very soon!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful short stories, February 8, 2008

By 

Patricia H. N. "Homeschooling Mom" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Once upon a Time Saints (Paperback)

I didn't have a chance to review this book before ordering so I was expecting a picture book with glossy pages and colorful illustrations. Even though the pages are not colorful, the stories make up for it. Nice black and white illustrations.