Books published by publisher Ignatius Pr

Very young children are introduced to the meaning and importance of the Sacrament of Baptism through a lovely story of a family spiritual event in church.Leo is being baptized today!He is becoming a child of God.His mom, his dad, his godfather, and his godmother are filled with joy.The Baptism day is brought to life by Maïte Roche's engaging and beautiful illustrations.

Leo is an orphan being raised in an abbey in the days of King Richard the Lionhearted. He knows nothing of his parentage and has little hope for a future outside the familiar but sometimes restrictive monastery walls. Abbot Michael alone knows Leo's story and family line and unexpectedly, when the heir to the house of Wardlock is killed in the Crusades, he sets in motion events in which Leo will need every scrap of wisdom and endurance. For he is not only heir to Wardlock, but also to its rival?the house of Tr?moine! Vividly set in the pious but turbulent England of the twelfth-century this authentic and stirring tale of suffering and courage shows a boy who?to claim his heritage?must first see it transformed by the power of love and forgiveness.Ages 10 and up

There are ten important questions everyone should ask; and the answers to these questions, which lead to ultimate truth, are a matter of reason, not of faith.Well-known Catholic philosopher and writer Peter Kreeft tackles each of these questions in a logical step-by-step way, like climbing the rungs of a ladder. Because questions are best answered by dialogue, Kreeft answers these fundamental questions in an imaginary conversation between two very different people who meet at the beach. Kreeft's characters begin at the beginning, at the bottom of the ladder, which is the passion for truth. When it comes to the most important questions a person can ask, no mere interest in philosophical dabbling will do. The passion for truth does not stop there, however, but carries the reader from one page to the next in this thought-provoking adventure of the mind.Among the topics, or steps, that Kreeft's characters delve into include:Do you have the passion to know?Does truth exist?What is the meaning of life?What is love, and why is it so important for our lives?If there is a God, what proof is there for his existence?Has God revealed himself to us in a personal way?And many other important questions and topics to help climb the ladder to the truth about life.

In 1360 AD, King Magnus Eirikson rules over a united Sweden and Norway a Christian Scandinavia. Dark rumor has reached the king that the colonies in Greenland have fallen back into pagan ritual, along with an alarming report that the inhabitants of the Western Settlement have mysteriously disappeared, with farmsteads and churches left deserted. Magnus entrusts Paul Knutson with a ship and forty strong men to make contact with Greenland and to verify the truth of these stories. Among these men are Olav Sigurdsson a young man sailing to prove his bravery to the king and to reclaim his father s lost honor and Eirik the Laplander, deeply loyal to Olav s family, but a pagan viewed with suspicion by the other Christian Scandinavians. Upon confirming the disappearance of a whole settlement, Paul and his party follow a sparse trail of clues south across the seas toward Vinland convinced that some of the colonists may still be alive. As the valiant band perseveres in the pursuit of answers for its king, going ever deeper south and westward into an unknown continent, Olav s desire for justice for his father finally merges with the desire for success in their difficult quest. The Door to the North is another stirring example of Elizabeth Coatsworth s authentic and captivating historical storytelling.

A new edition of the moving Bible story of Queen Esther by internationally acclaimed illustrator and author of children's books, Tomie dePaola Queen Esther, the wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia, bravely risked her life to prevent the killing of all the Jews in Persia. Colorful, delicate, and inspiring, Tomie dePaola's artwork brings to life his beautiful telling of this unique and important Bible story. This is a simple and accurate rendition of the powerful Esther story retold for children, highlighted by the exquisite illustrations of dePaola. The text and pictures show how God helps his people in sometimes miraculous ways when we put all our trust and confidence in him, no matter how dire the circumstances.

Peter wanted to become a fisherman, like his father. But one day he met Jesus, and his life was changed forever, and he became the leader of the Apostles. Children can learn all about the exciting life of Saint Peter, the Apostle, from this beautifully illustrated picture book. Based on the Bible, the stories of this fisherman the Lord called to be his friend are brought to life on every page.From the popular Life of a Saint series.

This Vision book for young people 9-15 years old tells the story of one of God's most lovable and loving saints, St. Philip Neri. Despite his wisdom and learning, he was a simple, radiant, childlike soul who never ceased, even in his honored old age, to make jokes, to play with his many pets, to tease, to amuse, to teach the great lesson that it is the joyous heart that wins friends to Christ. A saint who young people are particularly attracted to, St. Philip in turn had a great love for youth.Philip grew up in a very poor family in Florence, and was later taken in by his uncle, a prosperous merchant. Ever searching for a way best to serve God, he abandoned a merchant's career to become a lay apostle. He lived in Rome for many years as a layman, preaching, instructing youth and attending the sick. Deciding that he could best help his fellow man as a priest, he then entered the seminary. As a priest, his holiness, joy and zeal soon helped thousands of Romans to live a vibrant Christian life.St. Philip founded a religious congregation, the Oratory, and became the counselor of popes and cardinals, the trusted friend of beggars and outcasts. Like Christ, he was all things to all men, a mighty example of selfless love.

In the country of Burgundy, the Sauval brothers have begun to terrorize the surrounding lands in an attempt to bring the area under their control. They raid the Red Keep, in hope of gaining it for themselves, only to be thwarted by Sir Roger and young Conan. Now they plot anew to steal the Keep from its rightful owner, Lady Anne. She, with Conan and her loyal followers, sets out to bring justice upon the evil brothers. An action-filled tale with the authentic flavor of the twelfth century, by the author of The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow and The Lost Baron. Illustrated by Andrew Wyeth. Cover art by N.C. Wyeth.

In this beautifully illustrated book, children will learn about their Catholic faith through Bible stories, explaining the seven sacraments, and by introducing the little ones to Christian living in a journey of faith that comes alive in colorful pictures and simple words. Learning about the faith for children is always fun with Maïte Roche! This popular, prolific children’s author and illustrator truly understands and loves children, and how to share the faith with them in an imaginative and engaging way.

IllustratedHelen Walker Homan contributes her third volume to the Vision Books series of saints for youth in this story of the life of the greatly beloved St. Anthony of Padua.Homan covers many of the important and exciting events in Friar Anthony's life including a voyage to the Mohammedan land of Morocco, a shipwreck, and the meeting in Assisi with St. Francis and all of the Friars Minor. From his days as a youth to the dramatic accounts of his powerful preaching and working miracles as a follower of St. Francis, Homan presents a fascinating account of St. Anthony that youth, and all ages, will find enthralling.Cover art by Chris Pelicano

In the days of knights and castles lived an adventurous young troubadour named Loupio. Orphaned and on his own in 13th century Italy, plucky Loupio meets Brother Francis of Assisi and his friend Brother Wolf, and so begins a new life of joyfully trying to do good, while still getting by in a dangerous world.The youthful and colorful comic-book style presents to young readers the exciting challenges of growing up in the Middle Ages, which often look very like the challenges of growing up in any age. Like the Tin Tin and Asterix comics, this series, never before available in English, is sure to entertain young readers. But more than that, the seeds of faith, hope and charity taking root in Loupio, might grow in their hearts too. Illustrated.

Best-selling author Jeanne Bendick takes us for another informative—and amusing—journey into places and events of long ago. Herodotus and the Road to History, written in the first person, details the investigative journeys of Herodotus—a contemporary of the Old Testament prophet Malachi—as he takes ship from Greece and voyages to the limits of his own ancient world. His persistence, amidst disbelief and ridicule, in the self-appointed task of recording his discoveries as "histories" (the Greek word meaning "inquiry"), means that today we can still follow his expeditions into the wonder and mystery of Syria, Persia, Egypt and the "barbaric" north. Jeanne Bendick's lucid text, humorous illustrations and helpful maps entertain and instruct as they open the way for readers young and old to once again join Herodotus . . . on the road to history. Illustrated.