The King of All Things

  

In my Creative Café: Castle post, I talked about how teaching our children about justly ruled kingdoms can help prepare our children for a deeper understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven. Learning about the honor and respect shown to great kings throughout the ages can help remind all of us of the honor and respect we should show to Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, especially when we receive Him at Mass. 

My hope is that as we expose our children to stories of knights and princesses, kings and queens, we will help them understand their role as a beloved child in God's Kingdom. 

Here are a few picture books I've found so far that I believe do a great job of introducing children to the concept of royal kingdoms, knights who adhere to moral codes of conduct, and princesses waiting upon a worthy suitor:

• The King of All Things by Shay and Catherine Gregorie (Young readers)
• Princesses of Heaven by Fabiola Garza (Young readers)- my thoughts here
• Saint George and the Dragon retold by Margaret Hodges
• The Interior Castle of St. Teresa of Avila: A Mini Catholic Primer (Young readers)
• The Squire and the Scroll by Jennie Bishop (Middle grade readers)
• The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop & Susan Henson (Middle grade readers)

And here are a few chapter books for older readers that have characters seeking the good of their kingdom or realm in a way that inspires heroic virtue! 

• Chronicles of Narnia
• Lord of the Rings Trilogy
• The Green Ember Series
• The Wingfeather Saga

We also love a few shows that bring home the idea of Heavenly knights and princesses:

• God's Knights (a Brother Francis show)
• God's Princesses (a Brother Francis show)
• Littlest Saints–St. David the Warrior