Treasure in...a cafeteria

You might already know that Fulton Sheen and I are tight.  Remember that as you read this story.

A couple of weeks ago, before school started, our cafeteria became a terrible terrible place which we shall call "used book sale."  I say terrible because I have books everywhere- at home they are overflowing in layers on my bookshelves, under my coffee table, in a closet, and stacked next to my bed.  In my classroom, the books may be better organized, but they are no less in number.

So I told myself, upon finding the book sale (which I should mention was really "take free books" for teachers) "STAY AWAY!"

But I didn't, and I am very glad that I was disobedient.

Because while rifling through the stacks of books, my eye was caught by the pretty picture on this antique book.  So I picked it up.

And then read that it was written by Fulton J. Sheen. FULTON J. SHEEN. 

A children's book. About Jesus and Mary.  Written by Fulton J. Sheen.  In my hands.  At a used book sale taking spree.  Books that were about to be shipped off to la-la-land the next day.  So glad that I wandered through!

The book is filled with awesome teaching gems written in typical Sheen style but at a kid's level.  I will definitely be using this with my 5th graders, who I think will look past the age of the book because of their love for Sheen. This version is copyright 1947, with the Imprimatur from Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York.  You can still find a newer edition on Amazon.

This book, like all his others, has a lovely dedication to Our Lady:

And beautiful color and black & white pictures:

Love it! I think that this is further evidence that used books sales are always good places, right?