The Clown of God
Recommended. Age: 7+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
Giovanni is a poor boy who juggles for food and grows up to be famous. When he is old, he drops a ball and people laugh at him. On Christmas Eve he juggles one last time as a gift for the Baby Jesus, and the statue smiles. It teaches that every gift is best spent offered to God. It is a retold French legend, not a Church-approved miracle.
For parents
Age 7+, set by Lumen's read-alone age; the publisher says 4 to 8. Read it aloud from 4. Giovanni falls and his old heart stops, so prepare a sensitive child. Say this is an old legend, not a recorded miracle. Ask what gift you could give Jesus.