Local Authors & Books

Faith-Filled Lullabies with Big Al and Annie, Includes CD!by Fr. Joe Kempf Bring comfort and joy to the child in your life - and the child in you -- in this new CD. Fr. Joe and his helpers Big Al and Annie, with musician and songwriter Cathy Pescarino and her friends, present their special collection of music based on: Sacred folk songsComforting ScripturesTraditional favoritesPlus all-new, original songs You'll be delighted by the companion book of lyrics, along with beautiful illustrations,...

Philippine Duchesne: A Candid Portrait of a Missionary for Christ (1769-1852)Would you like to learn about a Saint who left her home in France at the age of 48 to be a missionary in St. Charles, Missouri? by Louise Cheli This picture book is appropriate for all ages, and includes twenty-six full-color pictures by local artist Genny Glosier, facts of Philippine's Canonization, and much more! Paperback

The acclaimed Soccer Made in St. Louis: A History of the Game in America’s First Soccer Capital brings the story of St. Louis soccer up to date since the publication of the sold-out first edition in 2011. The second edition chronicles the successful drive to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to St. Louis while chronicling the early history of St. Louis soccer that’s come to light in the past decade. Learn the stories of St. Louis players such as Lori Chalupny, Brad Davis, and Becky...

A presentation of the Entrance and Communion Antiphons of the Masses from the First Sunday of Advent to the Baptism of Our Lord by one who has prayed the prayers of the Mass for decades. The commentary is punctuated by pithy thought-provoking statements from a variety of sources. A wonderful help for preparing for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

Authored by Ryan Nusbickel What's your favorite day of Christmas in St Louis?Is it ice skating with a platoon of provel pizza delivery guys and gals? Is it blasting off into the skies with the Art Hill sled team?Is it high-kicking with a troupe of Muny dancers?Find out in the newest holiday hit from author/illustrator Ryan Nusbickel! It's the perfect addition to your holiday library, even if you are a Cubs fan.40 pages. ...

Easter Bunny's Amazing DayMeet the Risen Jesus with an amazing bunny?and his amazing tale?in this beautifully illustrated hardcover children�s book. Children will learn about Jesus� friendship and comfort through the eyes of a timid bunny rabbit who experiences firsthand the love and joy Jesus brings. The response to the tale so far has been remarkable. As it turns out- this book is appealing to the heart of the child of any age. Adults are saying, "I never teared up before reading a...

by Cathy GilmoreAs one of the authors of the best selling "Easter Bunny's Amazing Day", this book is expected to touch even more hearts this Christmas!One winter night, a little lamb gets lost just outside Bethlehem. While tending the flock, his shepherd receives heavenly messengers and amazing news. This story leads children to Jesus nativity and helps them relate to events that can change everyone's life. This beautifully illustrated storybook is sure to be enjoyed by generations.Hardcover,...

It took a long time before St. Louis finally accepted its Irish population. When the first waves of Famine Irish arrived on the landing in the 1840s, the city was appalled by their poverty. As subsequent waves of Irish fled political oppression after the Civil War, anti-Catholic sentiment sparked bloody riots in which the Irish gave as good as they got. But after seven centuries of enslavement in their own country, nothing would stop them from creating a place in their adopted city. The story...

Authored by Ryan Nusbickel Illustrated by Ryan Nusbickel A flying float trip raft for a Christmas sleigh?Christmas Eve visions of gooey butter cake? And Santa Claus finally reveals where he went to high school? Like a custard concrete, The St. Louis Night Before Christmas is a sweet mix of St. Louis flavors, served up just in time for the holidays. From pork steak to throwing washers, this holiday classic is a celebration of all things St. Louis ... with a Christmas twist. And like those jokes...

By author: Fr. Joe Kempf. Father Joe Kempf and his furry friend, Big Al, are back with more heartwarming prayers for children and their parents. This follow-up to the best-selling My Sister is Annoying, addresses some of the challenges of growing up. In a delightful combination of events that impact children's lives, Big Al learns lessons including compassion, responsibility, and individuality through prayer. Read the prayers and enjoy the included audio CD where Father Joe and Big Al...

In one of the most exciting seasons in baseball history, the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals surged in the final months to steal the pennant and top the mighty Yankees in seven games to capture the World Series. How did an unlikely assortment of people and events come together for such a monumental achievement? Look no further than ’64 Cardinals, a photo-illustrated story of promise, turmoil, and triumph. Discover how the famous trade for Lou Brock provided a jolt that reversed a summer swoon....

Dvd A Child's First Communion: And So Much More! Joe Kempf This new DVD featuring Fr. Joe Kempf contains two programs--one for children as they prepare for their first experience of the Eucharist and one for the adults guiding them along the way. For Children: Whether preparing for their 1st or 1500th Communion, children will be changed by the holiness, humor, and insight in a 4-part, 23-minute segment. Learning the fundamentals of our Catholic faith will inspire them to love the Mass, God,...

“Charlie’s book, Adventures with the Holy Spirit, illustrates how the Holy Spirit is alive and active in our lives.” – Carol Hess, parishioner, Incarnate Word Parish, St. Louis, MO “In Adventures with the Holy Spirit, Deacon Charles Durban recounts numerous surprise experiences of being saved from disappointment or disaster by a mysterious presence in his life which he calls the saving work of Ruach, or the Holy Spirit. For even the casual reader these incidents will trigger memories which...

Author: Fr. Dominic Garramone, OSBSize: 8.5×11Binding: BookazinePages: 32 The busy holiday season awaits, but you’ll want to make time for baking traditional breads and sweet treats for the whole family. The Bread Monk has collected all his favorite holiday recipes in Baking Your Way Through the Holidays: Breads, Cakes, & Treats for All Your Celebrations. You’ll find his Best Ever Crescent Rolls to mop up gravy at Thanksgiving, a wide array of flavorful coffeecakes for holiday breakfast and...

Cardinals Splendor is an intricate coloring book, featuring beautifully rendered images of beloved events, places, and players of the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team. Drawing by hand to produce detailed line drawings, St. Louis artist Jo Ann Kargus (a lifetime Cardinal fan) takes us through the celebrated history of the team. Enjoy World Series victories, celebrated players, and iconic images dear to every Cardinal fan. Encounter places and people we all know and lovefrom Sportsmans Park to...

Title: Celebration: The Magic of the Cardinals in the 1980sAuthor: Dan O'NeillSize: 11.5 x 9 Binding: HardcoverPages: 200ISBN: 9781681061771 Cardinals baseball has become more than a pastime in St. Louis. The association with baseball and all things red is a regional identification, a rite of summer, a �best baseball town� way of life. The phenomenon is rooted in nearly 130 years of history, unforgettable eras and legendary players. From the �Gas House Gang� of the 1930s, the �Swifties� of the...

By author: Fr. Joe Kempf . Young children can be both mystified and confused by what they witness while attending Mass with their families--even when they can see over the adults sitting in front of them! Don't Drink the Holy Water! explains the Mass with creative, full-color illustrations and simple descriptions that resonate with kids. A special section at the back of the book helps adults answer kids' questions about the Mass. Featuring a 50-minute DVD--broken into 20 small segments,...

Don’t You Dare Forgive. Unless… – Finding What You Most Deeply Want by Fr Joe Kempf112 pages, 5.5” x 8.5”In this deeply personal and encouraging book, best-selling author and beloved pastor Fr. Joe Kempf takes an honest look at the complexities of forgiveness. With Fr. Joe’s signature heart and humor, he gently reminds us that “Forgiveness is not optional for those who want a joy-filled, meaningful life. It is essential to our souls; it is the heart of truly holy and happy living.”Filled with...

by Bishop Thomas John Paprocki Hockey-playing Catholic bishop Thomas J. Paprocki has a message for teens and young adults: athletics and fitness provide daily ways to connect with God. Bishop Paprocki weaves his unique personal story with eight athletic topics and connects them with a path to wholeness. Holy Goals for Body and Soul: Eight Steps to Connect Sports with God and Faith links lessons from the world of sports and fitnessespecially the experiences of a Catholic bishop who plays ice...

Title: Incredible CardinalsAuthor: Ed Wheatley, and illustrated by Ed KoehlerSize: 10 x 10 Binding: HardcoverPages: 32ISBN: 9781681061399Deep in Busch Stadium�s left field, you�ll find a wall of heroes. The greatest Cardinals of all time are painted there, reminding us that dreams do come true. On this wall, Dizzy Dean still throws his flaming fastball. Lou Brock flashes his supersonic speed around the bases. Ozzie Smith puts on a show with his fielding magic.Just like players today, young...

by Cynthia WalkerAn amazing book of thought provoking, uplifting, encouraging, uplifting, inspirational poetry. 65 pages, paperback

Kirkwood is one of St Louis County’s oldest and best-preserved suburbs. It was born as a planned community, laid out in a grid spreading from the Pacific Railroad tracks placed in the 1850s and envisioned as a city escape. Its passion for historic preservation makes nearly every neighborhood a joy to walk through, and Kirkwood: A Walk through History provides the quintessential guide of maximizing a stroll through its most interesting spots. Explore Kirkwood’s preserved rail stations,...

by John W. Brown Missouri seems to be in the national headlines every week. Sometimes it’s controversial stories, and other times it’s unusual newsworthy happenings. We have major sports triumphs that grab the world’s attention and Show-Me State celebrities making news.That’s what makes this book so unique. As a reporter, Brown approached this book bylooking at what would be the top story of every day of the year in the state of Missouri. And Missouri 365 runs the gamut. From events that...

Authored by Ryan NusbickelWhat Would You Do if the Arch Followed You Home?A visit to the Gateway Arch ends with the Arch following one St Louis youngster back home! The boy and the Arch begin an adventure that involves the Arch turning into a slide, playing soccer, and attending a Cardinals baseball game! The next day the Arch returns with even more St Louis statues and landmarks including the Stan Musial statue, the City Museum rooftop praying mantis, and even the giant eye ball from Laumeier...

My Sister Is Annoying & Other Prayers for ChildrenBy Fr. Joe Kempf Children say the most wonderful things! This book of prayers, by Fr. Joe Kempf and his furry friend, Big Al, is written the way children talk and the way they think! My Sister is Annoying is a beautifully illustrated, fun way for children to talk to God about things that are important to them, such as the joy of playing outside, celebrating a birthday, and trying to figure out the right thing to do. Read the prayers and listen...

Fr. Joe Kempf gives us an excellent resources for both adults and kids to help us deal with loss. Fr. Joe really understands the grieving process and offers excellent advice for those at any stage of that journey. Paperback; 102 pgs.

In the bestselling tradition of Bren Browns Daring Greatly and Nick Vujicics Life Without Limits comes a rousing 7-step plan for living a life on fire filled with hope and possibility from an inspirational speaker who survived a near-fatal fire at the age of nine and now runs a successful business inspiring people all around the world.When John OLeary was nine years old, he was almost killed in a devastating house fire. With burns on one-hundred percent of his body, OLeary mustered an almost...

from St. Louis Post Dispatch writer Jane Henderson Mar 17, 2013: Despite his German last name, Frank Muhm’s parents were Irish. His great-grandfather came to America in 1851 on a “coffin ship,” says the author of “Passage to 2838”. The author, now 85, started working on his autobiographical novel 20 years ago. It’s now available at a few stores, including Subterranean and All on the Same Page bookstores and Catholic Supply on Chippewa Street. Why was it called a “coffin ship”? • Because a lot...

From the grand basilicas of Missouri’s big cities to small churches in every corner of the state, the stories of generations of Catholic immigrants are set in stone. Built as places to ask for blessings and pray for survival in a foreign land, these churches endure today as monuments to the struggles and the faith of those new Americans and their descendants. Places to Pray takes readers to Catholic churches, shrines, convents, and monasteries throughout Missouri where readers will explore the...

"The Age of Cardinals of Saint Louis ranged from 1903..". to 1969: John Joseph Glennon (made Archbishop in 1903, Cardinal in 1946) to Joseph Elmer Ritter (made Archbishop in 1946, Cardinal in 1961) to John Joseph Carberry (made Archbishop in 1968, Cardinal in 1969). Prostrate before the Pope, new cardinals take an oath of loyalty which the Holy Father prays: "To the praise of Almighty God and the honor of His Holy See, receive the red hat, the distinctive sign of the cardinal's dignity, by...

Artist Marilynne Bradley has spent half a century immortalizing and updating treasures of St. Louis landmarks in the vibrant pigments of watercolor. This collection of local scenes beautifully captured in paint documents the pleasures of the good life in St. Louis: the applause of a good play, the sounds of music, the satisfaction of a gourmet meal, the cheers of a crowd at a sporting event, and the beauty of St. Louis’ unique architecture. Writer Jennifer Grotpeter captures the essence of the...

COFFEE TABLE BOOK, HARDCOVERSt. Louis: An Illustrated Timeline, 2nd Edition by Carol ShepleyFrom the Inside FlapWith vignettes and vintage photographs, St. Louis: An Illustrated Timeline takes a wide-angle look at the story of a fur-trading outpost that grew into a major American city. The second edition delves deeper into the mix of politics, personality and culture that make up the Gateway City. Building on the award-winning first edition, new research reveals how the entire city came...

Follow the photos and cryptic clues to spot the places hidden in plain sight in fifteen neighborhoods around the city. We hope you will search and find out the history and story behind each one on your quest to finish. Plan a day for each section and linger behind to enjoy the shops, restaurants and parks along your trail of discovery from Clayton to Webster and many other destinations in between. Show family and friends a unique way to visit. Or enjoy a staycation with an added twist of...

"Temple: Soul Shine" from author Vince Nyman is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that fuses narrative and art in conveying a deep message of dignity and grace as God's children.Vince Nyman, a writer, illustrator, and pastor with an art degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, a master�s degree of Divinity from Kenrick Seminary, a master�s degree in Liberal Arts from Washington University, and a Doctor of Ministry in preaching at Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, has completed his new book,...

A motorcycle mishap mysteriously launched Charlie into the romance of his dreams. But his once-happy marriage is now running on empty. He wants out. Speeding toward the finish line on a mega-deal for his law firm, he takes an unexpected detour to his hometown in western Nebraska... and a haunting reunion with an old high school friend. Their tumultuous two-day encounter ricochets from a small church, to a majestic bluff, to a mysterious cabin. The clash of friends leads Charlie to a...

St. Louis’s most visited neighborhood, “The Hill,” may also be its most iconic. Allow The Hill: A Walk through History to capture your interest on the best journey with the most laughs through this enduring corner of the city. Local author Joe DeGregorio walks right next to you imparting his knowledge and sometimes unique personal experiences in the neighborhood he’s called home his whole life. Admire many vintage images along with contemporary photographs to inspire your exploration. Casual...

Italian Americans on the Hill in St. Louis enjoy a community founded and influenced by their ancestors over four or five generations past. Visitors muse how a 50 square block neighborhood manages to keep its ethnic identity, spiritual anchor, and protective sense of community decades after their immigrant parents and grandparents relied on those tools for survival to make a new home in America. Many Italian American immigrant communities across the United States withered as new generations...

If you seek consolation, comfort, peace or inspiration, these stories will help you discover God sitting next to you, waiting with open arms to embrace you. Each story is like a modern parable containing a pearl of wisdom. You may dive deep to retrieve these pearls, or you may find them near the surface, easily within your grasp. Let them surprise you as you discover the priceless gift of God�s love hidden in each one. They are meant to bring you peace, comfort, healing and joy, even in the...

by Paula CappsFor over 20 years, a group of mothers have come together every week to pray for the physical and spiritual safety of their children in the chapel of their school. The Mothers� Rosary is the fruit of the love and devotion of these mothers. Beautifully illustrated, The Mothers� Rosary contains meditations for all the mysteries of the rosary, the stations of the cross, and the rosary of the seven sorrows. While everyone can benefit from the meditations contained in this book, they...

It is not by happenstance that you ve come upon this book. It is written with you in mind; for every woman that was, is, and will be. This work is about you and the magnificence of God s Splendor that lives within you. It s your companion for the journey, a guide, and a reminder of the treasure that is rightfully yours - Deby Sansone Schlapprizzi