Joseph & Chico – a picture book biography of the Holy Father

Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told By a Cat

Ignatius Press

Story by Jeanne Perego

Illustrations by Donata Dal Molin Casagrande

Translated by Andrew Matt

Introduction by Father Georg Ganswein

As the title says, this is a tale about the life of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI as told by his friend, the cat named Chico.  Our narrator, Chico, retells the story of Joseph’s (Pope Benedict’s) life, from childhood to the seminary to World War II to life as a Bishop, Cardinal, and now Papa.

It’s a picture book for older readers, as there is a generous amount of text, coupled with high-level vocabulary after its translation from the original Italian.  That was the one drawback for me: the translation felt a bit unnatural, as if it were written in more formal language than a native speaker of English would use.  However, for older readers (or younger ones reading with an adult), this obstacle shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

“Joseph and Chico” is really a charming story for elementary readers, and has many humorous feline asides to jazz up the material.  The narrator is sympathetic to the Catholic Church and the Holy Father, and tells the reader all about the faith as it relates to the Holy Father’s coming-of-age.  The pictures are whimsical, and feel multi-layered, almost ethereal.

I highly recommended this book both as a biography and as a story of faith.

Now, thanks to Amazon, I’ve found some other Papal and/or “Catholic teachings” picture books that I’d like to read.  I just need to track them down in either my college or county library system first.

–Max and Benedict: A Bird’s Eye View of the Pope’s Daily Life by Jeanne Perego, Illustrated by Donato Dal Molin Casagrande

–Friday Night with the Pope by Jacques J.M. Shore, Illustrated by Amalia Hoffman

–Lolek: The Boy Who Became Pope John Paul II by Mary Hramiec Hoffman, Illustrated by Mark Hoffman

Also, some picture books on Catholic teaching that I’d like to read:

–Take it to the Queen: A Tale of Hope by Josephine Nobisso, Illustrated by Katalin Szegedi

–The Weight of the Mass: A Tale of Faith by Josephine Nobisso, Illustrated by Katalin Szegedi

–Jesus With Us: The Gift of the Eucharist by Anthony Tarzia, Illustrated by Julian Ferri

–A Handshake From Heaven by Carol S. Bannon, Illustrated by Michaelin Otis (about the Eucharist)

–Angel in the Waters by Regina Doman, Illustrated by Ben Hatke (about an infant in its mother’s womb)

Any recommendations?  I’d love to hear some.