Books with author Ethel Pochocki

Ethel Pochocki, whimsically and unforgettably, presents a new set of heavenly friends to readers young and old in this third collection of Once Upon a Time Saints stories. Beginning in the dark of December, the start of the Church Year, there are stories and poems for each month, all bursting with saintly—not to mention angelic—deeds and happenings. Each tale or verse—whether of mystical apparitions in a tiny Irish village or of friars who float in the air or of entire countries single-handedly converted to Christianity—makes it quite plain that heaven doesn't keep to its place at all, but is happily determined to spill over into earthly life—here, there and . . . all around the year.

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 a Comgall--16 real saints brought unforgettably to our attention and admiration.

In this updated anthology Ethel Pochocki (author of Once Upon a Time Saints books) has selected a mixture for older youth of "soldiers and sailors, kings and queens, doctors, lawyers, beggars, thieves, poets, diplomats, fools and cranks," and she has told their stories in her characteristic lively style. She shows how brave and generous such people were; how they challenged the society they lived in; and how they have since become light-bearers to enthral future generations of young people. Beginning with the Mexican Indian, Saint Juan Diego, born in 1474, and spanning 500 years, these 33 chapters include modern men and women, such as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Jean Vanier, as well as old favorites such as SS Teresa of Avila, Philip Neri and Francis de Sales. The author shows us how human and attractive their lives are, whatever the century they lived in, as they spring to life in these pages.Chapter head drawings are by Mary Beth Owens.Ages 12 - up

In this updated anthology Ethel Pochocki (author of Once Upon a Time Saints books) has selected a mixture for older youth of “soldiers and sailors, kings and queens, doctors, lawyers, beggars, thieves, poets, diplomats, fools and cranks,” and she has told their stories in her characteristic lively style. She shows how brave and generous such people were; how they challenged the society they lived in; and how they have since become light-bearers to enthral future generations of young people. Beginning with the Mexican Indian, Saint Juan Diego, born in 1474, and spanning 500 years, these 33 chapters include modern men and women, such as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Jean Vanier, as well as old favorites such as SS Teresa of Avila, Philip Neri and Francis de Sales. The author shows us how human and attractive their lives are, whatever the century they lived in, as they spring to life in these pages. Chapter head drawings are by Mary Beth Owens.

A Penny for a Hundred is beloved children's book author Ethel Pockocki's timeless tale of culture shock in rural Maine during the Second World War. It is 1944 and nine-year-old Clare will finally be able to help with the potato harvest—up until now, she was only able to earn the "penny a hundred" her father paid her to pick potato bugs off the plants. But this year, with so many local men off fighting the war, German POWs are brought in to help with the harvest. Clare's not sure what to expect from the strangers, but it soon becomes clear that these men are not so different from young American soldiers—they are relieved to be out of the fighting, but sad to be so far from home.For Christmas, Clare is determined to recreate at least one familiar tradition for Peter, a POW who has befriended her. Their gifts for one another strengthen the bonds of their friendship and help both the POWs and Clare's family enjoy a memorable Christmas Eve. Even amid the hardships of war, they find much to give each other.

Ethel Pochocki, whimsically and unforgettably, presents a new set of heavenly friends to readers young and old in this third collection of Once Upon a Time Saints stories. Beginning in the dark of December, the start of the Church Year, there are stories and poems for each month, all bursting with saintly—not to mention angelic—deeds and happenings. Each tale or verse—whether of mystical apparitions in a tiny Irish village or of friars who float in the air or of entire countries single-handedly converted to Christianity—makes it quite plain that heaven doesn't keep to its place at all, but is happily determined to spill over into earthly life—here, there and . . . all around the year.Ages 10-up

The Gazebo is the latest collaboration between the highly successful, Maine- based author/illustrator team of Pochocki and Owens. It is the charming story about a little girl named Mary Rose who becomes intrigued with gazebos when she finds an old book on the subject in her father's library. Through the pages, she travels the world, enchanted by the varied miniature buildings of faraway lands. And each summer she delights in the gazebo her parents have built for her adjacent to their seacoast cottage in Maine. She dreams of building a gazebo of her own design, and later in her life, after traveling the world as an ambassador, she builds the perfect gazebo on the coast of Maine.

"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.

Red Flannel is a pair of woolen long johns, and Rosebud is a lacy, delicate nightgown. On wash days they hang side by side on the clothesline. Red Flannel is in love with Rosebud, but he's too clumsy and shy to speak to her. For her part, Rosebud feels it beneath her dignity to converse with such a course fellow.One day, when a sudden snowstorm threatens to freeze them on the line, Rosebud and Red Flannel take off on a harrowing adventure. Will they survive howling wind and bitter wind only to be eaten by cows?In this Lupine Award-winning book, Ethel Pochocki has created a hero and heroine of timeless appeal, and Mary Beth Owens's energetic watercolor illustrations infuse them with radiance. What Rosebud and Red Flannel find within themselves—and in each other—will warm every heart.

At one time or another, most of us have made ― or wanted to make ― jam from berries and other fruit that we've gathered with our own hands. But what happens if the urge strikes out of season, when the pickings are slim? The answer is resourcefulness, as is discovered by young Anthony. The lesson is clear and will be useful to children of all ages: If you look closely enough and remain flexible enough, you can accomplish your goal.

Here are yet more of "those human and lovable people whose mysterious passion for God led them into preposterous escapades." Ethel Pochocki presents a follow-up collection of wildly distinctive saints-from Hyacinth to Zita to Longinus to Kentigern. Readers will again be charmed by the vivid immediacy of their settings. We find out what very real people they were, these saints who lived and breathed in a world as changeful as our own. Ethel Pochocki leads us through their adventures, joys and sorrows to the truly happy ending each one gained.