Books with author Simona Sanfilippo

This book retells the bible story of the two men who each built a house. "Whenever wind whistled through the windows, the house built on rock stood firm, but the house built on sand shook and shifted . . . The walls wobbled and lifted . . . until with a CRASH and a splash the house built on sand fell down flat!" The story conveys how Jesus instructed his disciples to build their faith on the solid foundations of his words. Next steps at the back of the book encourage further discussion and there's a rhyme for children to join in with and lots to spot.

To find out whether Santa thinks you’re naughty or nice, you’ll need to trick an elf into letting you see the list! Legend has it that the only way to find out if you’re on Santa’s naughty or nice list is to trick an elf into letting you sneak a peek! But be careful: elves are tricky themselves! To get a look at the list, you’ll need to be clever in crafting a distracting craft to catch the elf’s attention. So, grab some Christmas supplies like ribbons, twinkle lights, bows, and candy canes, and get prepared for your sly holiday visitor! On the nights leading up to Christmas, one of Santa’s elves will show up to keep watch on kids and to report on their naughty or nice behavior! However, if you’re careful and clever and quick, you can set up a beautiful little sleigh that will distract your elf, and then you’ll be sure to get a glimpse at Santa’s list! Sue Fliess’s poetic read-aloud text and Simona Sanfilippo’s vibrant, whimsical illustrations will provide much fun for young readers eager to trick their own Christmas elf and find which list they’re on! Also included are guides for teachers and parents about how to engage children in building an elf sleigh themselves and how to interest them in the history of the holiday and the many cultures that celebrate Santa’s tiny helpers.

This is the parable Jesus told about the rich man who decided to hold a great feast for all his friends. But when the time comes, everybody made excuses why they could not come. The host was furious so he opened his doors to anyone who was willing to attend, especially the poor or the ill, who were all delighted to be asked. His rich friends missed out. The moral of the story is that God welcomes everyone to heaven so long as they put God first in their lives.

A young man treats his family with disrespect and ends up leaving them, taking their money with him. When he falls on hard times, and finds himself alone in the world, he has no choice but to return home, fearing he won't be welcome because of the way he treated his father. But when he asks his father for forgiveness, he is welcomed back immediately. The message of the story is, "If anyone changes and comes back to him, God forgives them and there is joy in heaven."

Valentine's Day is all about showing kindness to the most important people in your life—and if you're caring and thoughtful, you can help Cupid spread love and happiness, too! Will you spot a Cupid this Valentine's day? If you do, will you be ready to help him spread love and kindness? By being observant, helpful, and friendly, you can lend Cupid a hand, and together you can make special cards and gifts to show all your favorite people how much they mean to you. So, grab some supplies—stickers, markers, crayons, colored paper, glue, and whatever else you like (it's the thought that counts on Valentine's Day!)—and think of heartfelt messages to share with your loved ones. Then be ready to meet Cupid and work together to spread cheer and happiness! Sue Fliess’s poetic read-aloud text and Simona Sanfilippo’s vibrant, whimsical illustrations will provide joy for young readers eager to help Cupid share the love! Also included are guides for teachers and parents about how to engage children in making Valentine's Day cards and how to interest them in the history of the holiday, the mythology behind the winged messenger Cupid, and the value of being thoughtful and kind to everyone.

This 12-book collection is a great introduction to Old and New Testament stories for young children; combining simple retelling with fabulous illustrations. Titles are: The Prodigal Son, The Baptism of Jesus, Jesus and His Disciples, The Miracles of Jesus, The Great Feast, The Lost Sheep, The Two Houses, The Sower, The Good Samaritan, The Birth of Jesus, The Easter Story and The Last Supper. For Ages 4-8.

Legend has it that the only way to meet a mermaid is to know where to look and how to craft a beautiful gift that shows her you care. If you’re lucky, she may even take you on an adventure to explore the ocean! Mermaids are rarely seen, and even more rarely met. But, if you gather some natural craft supplies seashells, grass, pieces of coral, driftwood, and sea glass, you might just get to befriend one! If you look closely, you just might discover a mermaid out in the waves at the edge of the shore. And if you do, you'll need to be ready! By being observant, resourceful, and friendly, you can make a beautiful crown from natural beach materials that will show your new mermaid friend you truly care, and then you'll be taken on an incredible adventure through the ocean's depths, past ancient shipwrecks, and across the waves. You just might get to experience what it's like to be a mermaid yourself, too! Sue Fliess’s poetic read-aloud text and Simona Sanfilippo’s vibrant, whimsical illustrations will provide much fun for young readers eager to meet their own mermaids! Also included are guides for teachers and parents about how to engage children in building mermaid crowns themselves and how to interest them in the natural world, the history of mermaids, and the many cultures that have believed in them.