Sticky? Childrens Resources for the Orthodox Home

[Joshua G.]

I thought this might be a useful reference thread.

It is easy to find protestant and even Catholic stuff and I am not denying that some of that is very good, even for the Orthodox household.

But I would love to see a practical thread helping parents (infant to high school) not only find Orthodox resources for their home, but learn about them through commentary from those who have personally USED them or are VERY close to those who have.

I would like this to be practical. Links are good, but offer personal experience with the resource. Questions are good, but keep them focused on the resource and use thereof. If an interesting discussion begins to take hold, please start a new thread (in the appropriate forum or subforum) and link to it here in the sticky.

Try to be specific about the age. Also, if you are not Orthodox, that is fine as long as the resource is Orthodox. If you are Orthodox (or very very Eastern Catholic) but have a great resource you think is indispensible for the Orthodox household but it is not explicitly Orthodox, point that out so we are aware, even if it's Eastern Catholic.

Let's see how this works!

Josh

 

[Joshua G.]

This is a great book I've been reading to my son several times a week (on average) for the past year or so of his life.

It's told from the point of view of a cat (Josie) who lives with the abbot and is all about life in a monastery.

It's informative but very simple. It's a great bedtime story because the illustrations (which are fantastic) and colors are so relaxing.

I would recommend it for any Orthodox with small children.

http://www.amazon.com/Abbot-As-Told-Josie-Cat/dp/188821225X

Conciliar Press - The Abbot and I: As told by Josie the Cat

PS: I am not a cat person by ANY means but this book is totally worth it.

 

[ex-pat]

Katie Visits a Monastery (sorry, I'm too new here to post a link) is a good book for those in elementary school. (it has puzzles and things at the back, too, that make it handy to give to a child on a first visit to a monastery to read and do in the car, as well as for discussion at home)

 

[Kristos]

This is a good book - nice and short: "Children in the Church Today" by Sister Magdalen
ArchangelsBooks.com » Children In The Church Today: An Orthodox Perspective by Sister Magdalen » Education

This book is excellent - a little longer and in depth: "Our Church and Our Children" by Sophie Koulomzin
ArchangelsBooks.com » Our Church and Our Children by Sophie Koulomzin » Education

"Purpose Driven Youth Ministry" not my favorite, but you might like if you liked the whole Purpose Driven Life series.

"Starting Right". Good history and development of Youth Ministry - very "textbooky"

"Four Views of Youth Ministry" Great book is you are starting a youth program and need to set the ground work.

"Freaks, Geeks and Cool Kids" Very good if you are working with teens.

"Five Cries of Youth" Interesting book - good statistical analysis.

"I believe In" Very interesting if you deal with youth from other faiths, especially interesting what the evangelical kids have to say about their faith.

"Buzzed. The straight facts about the most used and abused drug..." Essential information if you work with teens.

The OCA has some good articles on their website: Orthodox Church in America - The Hub for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Some decent information here: Home

The PVC Program is good for teens: SOYO Education Month 2011: Purity, Virginity, Chastity | Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

 

[Chrysostoma]

Highly recommend "The Divine Liturgy for Children" which is published by the Orthodox Christian Education Commission. This presents the liturgy along with explanations geared toward children in elementary school. I got mine from Eighth Day Books.

 

[ex-pat]

Highly recommend "The Divine Liturgy for Children" which is published by the Orthodox Christian Education Commission. This presents the liturgy along with explanations geared toward children in elementary school. I got mine from Eighth Day Books.

Is that the one that comes with a companion workbook (purchased separately)?

 

[Chrysostoma]

Is that the one that comes with a companion workbook (purchased separately)?

Yes. I don't have the workbook. I will probably get it at some point.

 

[ArmyMatt]

"From I-ville to You-ville" because it is based on the teachings of Elder Paisos, and I would say anything by Dr Chrissi Hart