A chipmunk monk. A feast day mystery. A lesson about service that will stay with your child forever.
Meet Brother Little Bear — he's not your average monk; in fact, he's a chipmunk, illuminator extraordinaire living among the kind Benedictine monks of the Monastery of Our Lady of Refuge. He loves painting the borders of sacred books with golden halos and twisting green vines. What he does not love? Cracking hazelnuts, stuffing mattresses, and polishing candlesticks when he could be doing something important.
But when the Feast of St. Michael brings an unexpected duke to the monastery's door, everyone must pitch in — including one grumpy little chipmunk with big plans and even bigger opinions about where his gifts are best used.
Then the mischief begins.
Hazelnuts vanish. A guest room full of freshly stuffed mattresses erupts into a storm of straw. Mysterious grey hairs appear in the mess. Tiny red footprints lead across the sacred floor of the sacristy. Someone is causing chaos all over the monastery, and Brother Little Bear is on the case.
Following the clues from kitchen to wine cellar, he is about to solve a mystery that will change the way he sees his work — and his calling — forever.
Brother Little Bear and the St. Michael's Day Mystery is a cozy, charming, faith-filled animal mystery that children ages 5 to 10 will absolutely love. With the warmth of classic Benedictine hospitality woven into every page, this story gently teaches young readers that:
- Every task matters, no matter how small
- Service is a gift we give to God and to one another
- Welcoming others — even unexpected guests — is one of the greatest callings we have
- Mysteries are more fun when a chipmunk is doing the investigating
Rich with the atmosphere of medieval monastery life — the ringing of bells for prayer, the chanting of psalms, the smell of blackberry sauce bubbling over a fire — this book brings the spirit of ora et labora to life in a way that is completely accessible and deeply delightful for young children.
Perfect for:
- Catholic and Christian families looking for faith-based picture books and early chapter books
- Children who love animal stories with heart and humor
- Fans of cozy mysteries looking for an age-appropriate introduction to the genre
- Classroom and homeschool read-alouds on themes of vocation, service, humility, and Benedictine spirituality
- Feast day reading for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels (September 29)
Get your copy today and join Brother Little Bear on his very first adventure.
