✞

Reading Levels

Every child is on a unique faith journey. Our books are organized to meet them exactly where they are.

Back to About

Nonno Books organizes its library into six reading levels — each one carefully matched to a child's age, reading ability, and stage of faith development. Whether you're shopping for a toddler or a teenager, you'll find the right story here.

🌱

Little Lambs

Ages 0–3

Read To Me

Young children learning sounds, rhythms, and basic concepts.

Topics

  • God made me
  • God made animals
  • Jesus loves me
  • Family
  • Prayer

Book Characteristics

  • 10–20 pages
  • Few words per page
  • Large illustrations
  • Board book format

Examples

  • God Made the Sun
  • Jesus Loves Little Lambs
  • Thank You, God, For Today
🐑

Shepherd's Helpers

Ages 4–6

Beginning Faith Stories

Children can follow simple stories but still need adults reading to them.

Topics

  • Angels
  • Saints
  • Prayer
  • Kindness
  • Obedience
  • Basic Bible stories

Book Characteristics

  • 24–36 pages
  • One or two sentences per page
  • Heavy illustrations
  • Strong moral lesson

Examples

  • Poppy and Nonno Visit Jesus
  • The Lost Little Lamb
  • The Day God Made Rainbows
✦ Current Focus — Most Nonno Books titles are in this level
✨

Faith Explorers

Ages 7–9

Early Independent Readers

Discovering the treasures of the Catholic faith. This is the heart of Nonno Books — where many of our current titles live.

Topics

  • Eucharist
  • Adoration
  • Mary
  • Rosary
  • Trinity
  • Scripture symbolism

Book Characteristics

  • 32–64 pages
  • Chapters
  • Rich illustrations
  • Deeper theological concepts explained through stories

Examples

  • The Sun, The Light, and The Warmth
  • The Red Number Three
  • The Crimson Worm
  • Poppy Learns About Adoration
🛡️

Young Disciples

Ages 10–12

Middle Grade Catholic Fiction

Children begin asking deeper questions about faith and life.

Topics

  • Doubt
  • Suffering
  • Sacrifice
  • Spiritual warfare
  • Saints
  • Virtue

Book Characteristics

  • 80–150 pages
  • Fewer illustrations
  • Longer chapters
  • More complex plots

Examples

  • Adventures with saints
  • Historical Catholic fiction
  • Eucharistic miracle stories
⚔️

Defenders of the Faith

Ages 13–15

Teen Catholic Fiction

Standing strong for Christ in a challenging world.

Topics

  • Identity
  • Peer pressure
  • Purity
  • Purpose
  • Apologetics
  • Calling and vocation

Book Characteristics

  • 150–250 pages
  • Primarily text
  • Strong character development

Examples

  • Catholic adventure novels
  • Historical Christian fiction
  • Teen conversion stories
📖

Pilgrims

Ages 16–18

Young Adult Catholic Fiction

Preparing for the journey ahead — stories for young adults navigating faith and life.

Topics

  • Vocations
  • Dating
  • Meaning of life
  • Theology
  • Discernment
  • Modern culture

Book Characteristics

  • 200–400 pages
  • Complex themes
  • Sophisticated storytelling

Examples

  • Catholic dystopian fiction
  • Historical faith novels
  • Modern faith journeys
✞

Find the Right Book

Browse our library and filter by reading level to find the perfect story for your child.