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,...

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,...

"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...

Volume 4, "Contemporary Challenges," continues "The Story of Catholic Evangelization of America's Heartland." It begins in 1968, from the appointment of Cardinal Carberry to lead the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, and continues through Archbishop Carlson's tenure in the early 2000s. Msgr. Witt covers the challenges within society and the Church following the Second Vatican Council. These challenges included: the assault on unborn babies in the form of Roe v. Wade, but which launched the Pro-Life...

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...

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.

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...

The group, including composer-performers Dan Schutte, Tim Manion, Bob Dufford S.J., John Foley S.J., and Roc O'Connor S.J., together with the late John Kavanaugh, S.J., met and began composing music together as young Jesuit scholastics in the early 1970s while at Saint Louis University. The group�s songs, including �One Bread, One Body� and �Earthen Vessels,� have become staples of Catholic liturgies, and the St. Louis Jesuits, as a group, have recorded 35 albums and several anthology...

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,...

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...

Authored by Ryan Nusbickel Where'd the Easter Bunny Go To High School? An Easter tale with a St. Louis twist! It's a question that's as "St. Louis" as gooey butter cake: "Where'd you go to high school?" And with Easter on the horizon, one St. Louis girl decides she must know where the Easter Bunny got his high school diploma. She and her trusty dog, embark on a quest to research, track down, and even trap the celebrated bunny. All of this ... so they can get him to fess up. So where DID the...

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....

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...

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 Julie Dubray & June Herman The classic St. Louis book just got better!A whimsical tour of the Gateway City's most beloved attractions, iconic landmarks, and family-friendly locales now includes The St. Louis Aquarium, The St. Louis Wheel, the Stanley Cup, The Museum at the Gateway Arch, and more. Hardcover

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

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...

Night Night St Louis: A Sleepy Bedtime RhymeIt's bedtime in St. Louis! Say goodnight to all your favorite locations, including:Saint Louis ZooGateway ArchForest Park World's Fair PavilionHappy Up, Inc.City MuseumBusch StadiumJewel BoxSix Flags St. LouisSt. Louis Science CenterLafayette Park

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...

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...

by Annie Amantea BlumThe Mississippi River has historically helped form the United States as a nation. In addition it has been a fascination to many people and especially to those living on its banks. The best place to experience the Mississippi is indeed from a riverboat. The author begins her story with a memoir of her years working on the steamer Admiral, an excursion boat at St. Louis, Missouri. The Admiral was a huge, beautiful all metal boat; not the usual kind, but one of Art Deco...

"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...

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...