The Monks Stand Guard - Sylvia Dorham and Christopher Tupa

The Monks Stand Guard

Sylvia Dorham

Christopher Tupa (Illustrator)

TAN Books

ISBN 9781505135299

eISBN 9781505137545

eISBN 9781505137538

I have read a few books written by Sylvia Dorham over the years, and I especially love this series. I really enjoy this series, particularly The Monk’s Stormy Night. The books have the family seal of approval from 10 years to 55 years of age. They have been family favourites as long as they have been available. And even though they are well below their reading level, the youngest two still enjoy them.

The description of this book is:

“In this delightfully illustrated and rhythmically written tale, a group of struggling monks learn a powerful truth: not every thought is from God. When the temptation to give up hits hard, Father Abbot gently guides them to spiritual victory with wisdom from Scripture and timeless monastic insight. Inspired by 2 Corinthians 10:5, The Monks Stand Guard is an endearing Catholic children’s book that helps young readers learn how to resist temptation and take every thought captive for Christ. Perfect for Catholic families, catechists, and classrooms, this book brings the spiritual life to life—with charm, humor, and heart.”

About the author on the TAN site we are informed:

“Sylvia Dorham’s accomplishments are best summarized in the words, “wife” and “mother.” She appreciates truth, goodness and beauty and is grateful for skilled artists with whom she can collaborate.”

There is no information about the illustrator on the TAN site or in the book itself. The illustrations are similar to the other three volumes in this series. But the palette used is brighter and more intense. The illustrations are great and add to the lessons in the book. Personally I am not a big fan of the angel on one shoulder and devil on the other trope, but I understand the purpose and use in this volume. The next paged with the adversaries is better. 

Father Abbot leads by example. He is the one pitching in and starting all the work. But soon some monks think they want an easier life. Father helps them to learn to discern spirits. And to seek to make good decisions guided by God. This story is a little less playful than the others, but it teaches a good and valuable lesson. 

We really hope that there will be more stories with these monks. This is a great picture book in a wonderful series. It would be a great addition to any home, school, or church library! 

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

Books by Sylvia Dorham:

The Monks Series:

The Monk’s Daily Bread

The Monks Make Amends

The Monk’s Stormy Night

The Monks Stand Guard

…

Other Books:

Rosana: A Modern Retelling of the Book of Ruth

Jewel

The Book of Names: An Accounting of What Might Have Been

Avoiding The Octopus

Our Lady Undoer of Knots

…

Our Lady Undoer of Knots - Sylvia Dorham and Mia Sasseer

Our Lady Undoer of Knots

Sylvia Dorham

Mia Sasseer (Illustrator)

TAN Books

ISBN 9781505121568

eISBN 9781505121582

ASIN B09V1RNCQL

I have read a few books written by Sylvia Dorham over the years, and I believe this is the first I have read illustrated by Mia Sasseer. I really enjoy Dorham’s monk’s series, especially The Monks Make Amends. This one is a little different. It is absolutely a picture book for the earliest of readers. With a maximum of 4 lines per page, though most have 2, and a maximum of 6 words per line, though most have less.

The description of this book is:

““The knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith.” —St. Irenaeus of Lyons

Few devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary have spread more in recent years than Our Lady, Undoer of Knots. When the faithful encounter trying moments, when all hope seems to be lost, they turn to their mother.

“Come with me to my Son,” she tells us. And all is unbound.

Through ordinary and everyday situations, rhymed verse, whimsical art, and subtle theology, this charming work—one of the first children's books to celebrate this beloved devotion—will teach everyone in the family how to approach their mother when they are in need.

Just as she untangled the knot of fallen humanity through her fiat, so Our Lady does for us in all our difficulties, both big and small, by teaching us to say yes to God. Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for us!”

The book was not what I was expecting. I was hoping for a history of the devotion, which was completely absent in the book. I really liked the page with the titles of Mary, it could lead to some great discussion. And the lessons in the book are well written. The volume is listed as 24 pages. But it honestly feels shorter. I got to the page with the About the Author information and was surprised. I was surprised I was at the end, and that there was no information about the Illustrator. 

The illustrations are wonderful. Even for young readers the book is a little light on content. That being said it is still a good volume. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!  

Books by Sylvia Dorham:

The Monks Series:

The Monk’s Daily Bread

The Monks Make Amends

The Monk’s Stormy Night

The Monks Stand Guard

…

Other Books:

Rosana: A Modern Retelling of the Book of Ruth

Jewel

The Book of Names: An Accounting of What Might Have Been

Avoiding The Octopus

Our Lady Undoer of Knots

…

Other books about Our Lady Undoer of Knots:

Our Lady, Untier of Knots - Miguel Cuartero Samperi - CTS Devotions

Our Lady, Undoer of Knots - Marge Steinhage Fenelon - A Living Novena 

Our Lady Undoer of Knots - Sylvia Dorham and Mia Sasseer 

...

The Monks' Stormy Night - Sylvia Dorham and Christopher Tupa

The Monks' Stormy Night

Sylvia Dorham

Christopher Tupa (Illustrator)

TAN Books

ISBN 9781505111811

eISBN 9781505111828

I read the first book in this series 4 years ago, The Monk’s Daily Bread, and never got around to reviewing it. I plan to go back and read it again just for that purpose. Then last in 2020 I read The Monks Make Amends, and I loved it as did my youngest daughter, my son. It has the family seal of approval from 10 years to 50 years of age. The day this one arrived my youngest read it to us twice. She read it to me and then to her 13 year old brother. And then she read it to a friend over the phone describing the pictures. I stated before that these books remind me of Tales of a Magic Monastery by Theophane the Monk and also The Case of the Haunted Chapel by Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis Sisters of the Last Straw Book 1 but geared for younger readers. The description of this book is:

“The monks of Archangel Monastery are prepared for a hard winter. But look out, monks! A bad winter storm is coming!

This beautifully-illustrated book will be enjoyed by children and their caregivers for its humorous pictures, for fun rhymes reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, and for the heartfelt message of sincere trust in the Lord's providence.”

This time a big story is headed to the monastery that is guided and lead by Father Abbot. Father Abbot leads by example. He is the one pitching in and starting all the work. The monks face many issues during the story, no heat, no electricity, a flood. But they also learn that God is in control, and always provides a way. The book has a great lesson. And serves as a reminder to always trust in God. The book ends with a verse for the kids to memorize and my daughter realized that it was a different verse than last time.

Again, the illustrations are wonderful. And the winter scenes are my favorites so far in the series. It is a fun story. All three of us give it a solid 5/5 stars. We plan to go back and reread the first book, The Monk’s Daily Bread, and really hope that there will be more stories with these monks. A great picture book in a wonderful series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!  

Books by Sylvia Dorham:

The Monks Series:

The Monk’s Daily Bread

The Monks Make Amends

The Monk’s Stormy Night

The Monks Stand Guard

…

Other Books:

Rosana: A Modern Retelling of the Book of Ruth

Jewel

The Book of Names: An Accounting of What Might Have Been

Avoiding The Octopus

Our Lady Undoer of Knots

…

The Monks Make Amends - Sylvia Dorham and Christopher Tupa

The Monks Make Amends 

Sylvia Dorham

Christopher Tupa (Illustrator)

TAN Books

ISBN 9781505117905

I read the first book in this series 4 years ago, The Monk’s Daily Bread, and never got around to reviewing it. I plan to go back and read it again just for that purpose. The day this one arrived I read it twice. Well actually my 10-year-old read it to me and then later my 12 year old read it to me. This is a wonderful little picture book. The book reminds me of both Tales of a Magic Monastery by Theophane the Monk and The Case of the Haunted Chapel by Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis Sisters of the Last Straw Book 1 but geared for younger readers. 

The book is set in a monastery is guided by Father Abbot. One day he notices that something is off. There are monks who are angry, and monks who are mad. And this is making Father Abbot very sad. He must find a way to figure out what happened and what can be done about it.

The illustrations are wonderful. The story is fun. All three of us give it a solid 5/5 stars. We plan to go back and reread the first book, The Monk’s Daily Bread, and really look forward to the next one, The Monk’s Stormy Night. A great picture book in what is shaping up to be a great series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!  

Books by Sylvia Dorham:

The Monks Series:

The Monk’s Daily Bread

The Monks Make Amends

The Monk’s Stormy Night

The Monks Stand Guard

…

Other Books:

Rosana: A Modern Retelling of the Book of Ruth

Jewel

The Book of Names: An Accounting of What Might Have Been

Avoiding The Octopus

Our Lady Undoer of Knots

…