Book Review: Totally Catholic

Totally Catholic: A Catechism for Kids and Their Parents and Their Teachers

by Mary Kathleen Glavich, SND
Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 2013

Adults have Catechism of the Catholic Church as their go-to guide for all things regarded to the Catholic faith and teens have the Youcat to help them know more about their faith, but until now, there really wasn’t a corresponding resource for Catholic children. With the publication of Totally Catholic: A Catechism for Kids and Their Parents and Teachers, author Sr. Mary Kathleen Glavich and publisher Pauline Books and Media are working to change that. 

Based on the adult version of The Catechism, Totally Catholic covers all the basics of what it means to be Catholic. Sr. Mary Kathleen compares it to a computer manual for one’s new computer. In order to fully understand the computer, one needs to read the book. This is a manual for one’s faith, designed both for Catholic children as well as for those converting to the Catholic faith. The target audience is eight to twelve year olds, although those older than that range can certainly benefit from reading this book. No doubt teachers and parents will learn something new or perhaps be reminded of something they have forgotten. There is always more to learn about one’s faith.

The thirty-nine chapters cover topics such as faith, God’s revelation, the Trinity, Jesus’ life and teachings, the Church, the communion of saints, Mary, the end of the world, the seven sacraments, and the ten commandments. There are also two appendices on how Catholics live and how Catholics pray. Each chapter also includes a scripture link, a short profile on a saint (referred to as Catholic V.I.P.s) and an activity to reinforce learning and integrate one’s faith in one’s life.

The design of Totally Catholic is very kid friendly, full of illustrations, graphics, and pull-out boxes. While it is intended as a resource, it could also be used as the text for a high quality religion class. Those who read this book will have a very firm foundation in the Catholic faith.