Joseph, Keeper of the King
by Scott Hahn and Emily Stimpson Chapman
Illustrated by Tricia Dugat
Published by Emmaus Road Publishing
St. Joseph is one of the most powerful intercessors that our families can call upon for assistance. He is also a wonderful example of humility, obedience, and loyalty. He is definitely a saint that we want our children to know well. In the new book, Joseph, Keeper of the King, Scott Hahn and Emily Stimpson Chapman tell the beautiful story of St. Joseph’s life in an engaging and colorful way for children.
The Story of St. Joseph’s Life
The story begins by introducing St. Joseph as a humble man from Galilee. The book is written in charming and creative rhyme. The story goes on to describe how, even though he was a humble man, St. Joseph came from a line of royal kings from Israel. We hear the story of salvation history as the authors describe the birth of King David to his father, Jesse. The writers tell how the Savior will come from this very lineage.
We then hear about Joseph’s life as a carpenter in Galilee and how he was loyal and obedient to God. Then, Joseph marries Mary. I love this page because the illustrator, Tricia Dugat, includes a picture of lilies growing from St. Joseph’s staff, and lilies symbolize St. Joseph and Mary’s purity and chastity.
The story continues with the Annunciation, and Joseph’s confusion about Mary’s news. When an angel appears to Joseph in a dream, he knows that Mary is telling the truth, and he decides to say “yes” to God’s invitation to raise the Son of God.
The Quiet Life of the Holy Family and St. Joseph’s Death
The rhymes continue to tell the quiet life of the Holy Family as Joseph and Mary raises Jesus together. I love Tricia Dugat’s illustrations of St. Joseph helping Jesus walk as a toddler and giving Jesus a piggy-back ride.
In the end, we see St. Joseph dying in the presence of Mary and Jesus – the ultimate example of a holy death. This page is followed by a little boy calling on St. Joseph because he feels scared and is asking St. Joseph for his protection. This is a great example and message for our children.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
This is the perfect picture book to teach children ages 5 and up about St. Joseph. The story can be used to tell children about the life of the foster father of Jesus and how we can call on him in our times of need. This book can be read all year – especially during March (the month of St. Joseph), for the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19th, and for the feast of St. Joseph the worker on May 1st.
You can find Joseph, Keeper of the King at Emmaus Road Publishing.
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