Through a new partnership between Magnificat, the publisher of the popular daily devotional, and Ignatius Press, the primary English-language publisher of Pope Benedict XVI’s books, a new line of Catholic children’s books will be available.

Anyone familiar with the market will recognize that there are few publishers that publish beautifully illustrated Catholic children’s books. Pauline Press and Bethlehem Books come to mind.

The first eight books in the Magnificat-Ignatius Press series will include a variety of titles for children of different ages. They’ll include sturdy board books, such as My First Prayers for My Family, My First Prayers for Christmas, and The Bible for Little Ones. They’ll also be publishing two hardcover titles for older children – John Mary Vianney: The Holy Cure of Ars and Bernadette: The Little Girl from Lourdes. Two additional titles will include: The Adventures of Lupio, Vol. 1: The Adventures and Other Stories and The Illustrated Gospel for Children. Both are told in a comic book style. Finally, the partnership is also publishing the first in a series of coloring books – Pictures from the Gospels: A Coloring Book.

“Ignatius Press is honored and excited to be working with Magnificat to publish this new line of such high quality, beautifully designed Catholic books for children,” said Anthony Ryan, marketing director for Ignatius Press.

The books will be available for purchase in October 2010.