Giovanni and the Fava Beans

If you are looking for a way to introduce children to the rich history of the St. Joseph Altar tradition, this is the book you will want: Giovanni and the Fava Beans, The Story of the St. Joseph Altar written by Joseph P. Ruli and illustrated by Jaclyn Warren.

• Winner of the ACP 2025 Excellence in Publishing Award for Children’s Books: Young Readers
• Winner of the CMA 2025 Book Award for All Children’s Books
• Winner of the CMA 2025 Book Award for Children’s Book Reader (2nd Place)

Set in Sicily during the Middle Ages, this inviting picture book shares the origins of the St. Joseph Altar tradition. When young Giovanni’s community suffers a terrible drought, he is upset to find fava beans—what he feeds the pigs—on his dinner plate due to the failure of the crops. An encounter with a starving girl sparks a conversion of heart from ingratitude to generosity, and Giovanni looks to heavenly patron St. Joseph to intercede for his community. When rain arrives the answered prayers are celebrated with building altars in honor of St. Joseph (a tradition still carried on in New Orleans and other communities today). With colorful folk art illustrations and instructions for celebrating the St. Joseph’s Altar tradition, families will read this book every St. Joseph’s Day and all through the year.

It is a charming story and beautifully illustrated. The last few pages even include simple instructions for setting up a home Altar. I highly recommend this book to introduce children, ages 3-12, to this wonderful tradition. Order yours today!