Discover the Very Young Catholics Book Series

Three boys sitting and standing inside a large hole in a historic brick wall, smiling. Background shows more brick structures and a sign that reads 'Convento'.
Group of children and a woman sitting on a red all-terrain vehicle (ATV) outdoors on a cloudy day, holding and hugging each other.
Two children observing nativity scene with candles and greenery on a table in a warmly lit room.
A boy and a girl standing on a concrete ledge outdoors with a hillside of densely packed houses in the background, under partly cloudy skies.
Six children in winter clothing holding large antlers in front of a wooden building and snow-covered ground.
Three kids sitting on a boat with the Atlantis resort in Dubai behind them.
Five girls of various ages lighting candles in a church.
Four children playing and splashing in a narrow mountain stream, surrounded by lush green foliage and moss-covered rocks.
Group of six people, four children and two adults, standing in front of a small, grass-covered stone and wood structure outdoors.
Three children standing in front of a large stone elephant sculpture outdoors on a sunny day.
Children riding a horse-drawn cart through a forested tunnel of trees and greenery.
Four children standing outdoors in fall with a church in the background.
Four children and an elderly woman sitting on a wooden bench outdoors, with a large tree and a black water tank in the background.
Children dressed in colorful traditional costumes participate in a cultural dance, wearing feathered headdresses and beaded accessories, on a cobblestone street.
A woman and two young girls walking barefoot on a beach holding hands, with cliffs and a mountain in the background.
A woman and three young girls looking at fish in a pond outside a building with arched windows.
A family riding a motorized tricycle with a green canopy, with an older woman and two children on board, in a rural setting with trees and houses in the background.
Children wearing life jackets and helmets on a boat during a river tour in a lush forested area.
Group of children and teenagers standing in a cornfield with farm silos in the background on a bright, sunny day.
Two women are pounding maize with traditional sticks while children observe in a rural setting. There are various containers and a metal basin with dough on a wooden table nearby.

The Very Young Catholics Project is a unique series of Catholic children’s books that bring the everyday lives of Catholic kids around the world to life. Written at a fifth grade reading level, each book introduces the reader to a Catholic family in a different country, showing both the unity and diversity of the global Catholic Church.

From Togo in Africa to Fiji in the Pacific, every book includes stories of faith, culture, and daily life. The series will eventually include a story from each of the world’s 24 time zones, offering a vivid, child-friendly picture of the universal Church.

Newest titles in the Very Young Catholics Series:

Smiling woman with glasses, dark hair, and a dark brown blazer, indoors with blurred background.

About The Author

Emily Koczela, founder of the Very Young Catholics Project, is a lifelong Catholic, mother of six, and grandmother of fifteen. Traveling to Mass in over a dozen countries, she was inspired by the beauty of faith around the world to create this children’s book series, sharing the joy of Catholic life with kids everywhere.

Learn more about Emily >

What Makes These Catholic Children’s Books Special?

Children performing a traditional dance in colorful costumes with headpieces decorated with bright feathers and shells, on a cobblestone street during a cultural celebration.

Rich photography

Every book is filled with vibrant, real-life images of Catholic families, schools, parishes, and celebrations.

Children dress up as biblical characters around a manger with a baby doll, surrounded by greenery and a dog, for a nativity scene outdoor play.

Engaging stories

Gentle, faith-centered storytelling introduces young readers to daily Catholic life: meals, sports, family time, Mass, and sacraments.

An elderly woman with a headscarf carries a young child on her back with a cloth, in an outdoor rural setting, with a thatched wall and some objects in the background.

Faith and culture combined

Children learn how Catholic teachings and traditions are lived across the world.

A family of six visiting the Taj Mahal in India, posing for a photo on a sunny day with the iconic white marble mausoleum in the background.

Educational extras

Appendices explain cultural details and provide facts about each country.

A perfect resource for Catholic schools, homeschooling families, and parish libraries.

Praise for the Series

"Absolutely stunning! The Very Young Catholics Series is like National Geographic meets the Catholic faith in the spirit of Maria Montessori. It’s written for children, but even as an adult I am captivated by it."

— Pattie Maguire

Published by:

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Since September 2022, the Very Young Catholics series has been proudly published by Holy Heroes, a company dedicated to Catholic books, activities, and faith formation resources for children. Visit HolyHeroes.com to explore more Catholic resources.

Order Your Books Today!

Browse the complete Very Young Catholics series and bring the beauty of the global Catholic Church into your home or classroom.