The Lantern That Wouldn't Light A Little Saints Story About Learning to Ask for Help - Therese Martin

The Lantern That Wouldn't Light

A Little Saints Story About Learning to Ask for Help

Therese Martin

The New Ark Studio

ISBN 9798174846319

ISBN 9798193780571

I was approached to give this volume a review. My own children are well past the age for this book, and I do not yet have grandchildren. But I do often make recommendations to church libraries, and to several teachers. I am almost always willing to take a look at a Catholic book, and The description of this one intrigued me, it states:

“Bo's lantern won't light. Everyone else's does.

Tonight is The Lighting — the one night a year when every lantern on the hill glows gold — and Bo is running out of time to fix his before everyone sees. So he hides it. He shakes it, taps it, turns it upside down. Nothing works. And when his friend Pim's own light goes dark because of a choice he makes, Bo learns the harder, better lesson: some things you can't fix alone — and asking for help isn't the failure. Hiding is.

A gentle, funny, warmly illustrated story about pride, honesty, and the people who show up when we finally let them — from the world of Little Saints, now in print for the first time.

Perfect for bedtime reading, church libraries, homeschool character lessons, and gift-giving — ages 4-8.”

About the author we are informed:

“Therese Martin writes gentle, values-driven picture books for young readers, starting with the Little Saints world - stories where kindness, honesty, and courage are shown through a child's everyday moments, never lectured.

The Lantern That Wouldn't Light is the first Little Saints book, with more adventures from the same cast on the way.”

The illustrations are bright and vibrant. The story is clearly written. Children will love the images and exploring the rich details in the artwork. And the story has a good message, not only for the young but as a reminder for us older readers. 

It is a good little book that appears to be the first in a new series. I would have no hesitation picking up other volumes as they became available. It is a great little picture book that I can easily recommend! Let your light shine.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!