Book Review: Hooray! I’m Catholic!

If ever there was a Catholic children’s book that showed appreciation for the small things and the joy of living a life of service, this book is it!
 
“Hooray! I’m Catholic!” by Hanna Cole is a delightful, easy-to-read book for elementary-aged children or children learning how to read.
 
“This cheerful and enthusiastic book shows children the little things that make being Catholic fun and the big things that make being Catholic wonderful – like belonging to the biggest family on earth!” a description in the book states.
 
Children will find all 28-pages filled with sentences that rhyme, vibrant illustrations by Joanna Steege and, most of all, happiness. Each page shares what makes being Catholic great. It highlights many aspects of the faith, from the celebration of Mass and helping other people to nighttime prayers and saving dollars for missions.
 
“Praying for the homeless, praying for the poor, praying for the moms and dads and children hurt by war,” prays a little girl kneeling by her bed in her pink pajamas with her eyes closed.
 
This beautiful, hard-cover book has a sentence or two on most pages. The book is published by Ambassador Children’s Books.
 
Hanna Cole was the pen name used by Susan Heyboer O’Keefe. She has since passed away, but leaves behind a simple, joyful book that cherishes elements of Mass like candles and bells. It also captures the excitement of learning how much Jesus loves us.
 
Quickly into the book, readers will see Jesus holding hands with two kids while many more are following, “What makes being Catholic great? Lots of big things too! Knowing Jesus loves me. Knowing he loves you, knowing that forever – forever and a day – Jesus holds me by the hand, showing me the way.”
 
The last page shows children, who all look different, filled with excitement at the church doors and the words, “Hooray! Hooray! I’m Catholic! I’m Catholic every day! Jesus loves us – me and you. Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!”
 
This would be a wonderful book to celebrate a child’s First Holy Communion.
 
Dana Attocknie is managing editor of the Sooner Catholic.