Prior to the publication of Saint Felix and the Spider our family hadn’t ever learned much (if anything) about Saint Felix of Nola. Our six year old received this excellent picture book in his stack of books on Christmas! While I was working on filling our book basket for January I was delighted to discover that the memorial of St. Felix was coming up on January 14th and decided to find a way to celebrate it with our new book, a special snack, and an activity.
.: STORY TIME :.
by Dessi Jackson and illustrated by Lydia Grace Kadar-Kallen
“Inspired by the life of Saint Felix, this fanciful tale tells of how the course of one man’s life is changed by one of God’s tiniest wonders. A little love and friendship can grow big hearts even in the smallest creatures. This story is about a spider and a man and their journey to a lifelong friendship.”
After completing Saint Felix and the Spider I continued reading from Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Preaching Beggars, one on our current read aloud books, while the children continued to paint.
.: ACTIVITY – WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS :.
Inspired by the beautiful illustrations I pulled out our various sets of watercolors and watercolor paper for the children to create their own paintings while I read the book aloud.
by Captain (age 13) with Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils and sharpener
by Rascal (age 11) – painted with Prang’s 16 Classic Colors
by Twinkle Toes (age 10) – painted with Prang’s 16 Classic Colors 
by Chiquita (age 8) painted with Melissa & Doug Take-Along Watercolor Paint Set
by Snuggles (age 6) painted with Crayola Washable Watercolors
by Rose (age 3) painted with Crayola Washable Watercolors
.: SNACK TIME :.
These delicious sweet and salty Spider Web Snacks were easy to make and so much fun.
I posted the directions over at Catholic Cuisine!
Rose wasn’t quite sure she wanted to eat a “spider”. . .
.: PRAYER :.
Quaesumus, Domine, salutaribus repleti mysteriis: ut beati Felicis Martyris tui, cuius solemnia celebramus, orationibus adiuvemur. Per Dominum nostrum, Iesum Christum, Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that we, who have been fed with these Mysteries of our salvation, may be aided by the prayers of blessed Felix Thy Martyr, whose festival we celebrate. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
Saint Felix, Pray for us!
I love the pretzel spider webs. How creative! Your kiddos did a great job in their artwork. Very impressive.
I posted yesterday on Saint Felix, too. Hope you come by.
What great artists! You should be very proud! Love the spider treat, too. So creative! Bernadette 🙂
Oh, Jessica! This is so wonderful! We all loved seeing your children's beautiful artwork and their pictures are all fabulous! Captain's web is just great – such perseverance to finish such a big web with his pencils. He might be interested to know a watercolor artist uses 'masking fluid' to block out white areas, and then rubs it off after the other colors have been painted revealing the white paper. We love Rascal's 'wee houses like mushrooms after the rain', the details in Twinkle Toes' picture, and the flying creatures in Chiquita's. Snuggles' colorful painting and Rose's (naturally) pink interpretations are wonderful too. (there should be more pink, and girls, in the next book 🙂 ) And you are so clever making those spider webs – they look so cool and yummy too. Thank you once again for sharing and we're so happy you enjoy the book. God bless you all! St. Felix, ora pro nobis
Wow–just beautiful artwork by your children! How inspiring for my little ones!
Blessings, Marisa M.
Your children are so talented!
It was fun to see all of their unique perspectives on the story!
Children your art work is delightful to admire. Keep up the great work!!!! Mama you've are positively non stop inspirational. God has blessed each of you and it is so awesome to see the fruit of your creativity and love for our Father in heaven. Wow. Just wow!!! Please pray for us.