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SeaStar
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| Posted: Aug 17 2010 at 6:21am | IP Logged
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Which do you prefer?
What are your favorites from each?
The Encounter series is a bit cheaper on Amazon than the Vision books. I was looking at them all last night.... so many saints. so little time 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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sunnyviewmom
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| Posted: Aug 17 2010 at 10:06am | IP Logged
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We "love" the Vision books! Favorites include Saint John Bosco, Saint Philip Neri, and Saint Dominic. We haven't actually read Encounters. I have 3 of them, but they just don't look as well written and I can't get excited about them compared to Vision. Maybe someone else can give more info about them though.
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Mackfam
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I like both series a lot, Melinda, but for different ages. Is this for independent reading or for reading aloud???
If for independent reading - definitely wait on the Vision series. If for reading aloud, I find they're better for read alouds in upper elementary just because my kids will sit longer for read alouds than they will when younger.
For your kids ages, I'd go with Encounter the Saints for this year. You might also look around for some of the Mary Fabyan Windeatt books if there are some in that series you could fill in with (not that you need my help in adding to your list! ) because those are great for elementary age read alouds and also as kids move from shorter chapter books of independent reading. Another series similar to the Encounter the Saints series is the Along the Paths of the Gospel series. Both of these would be great for your kids ages right now if they're just moving into beginning chapter books. Then, when the kids are older, begin investing in the Vision book series.
I'm not sure if you have it or not, or if it's available from your library, but I really appreciate and use all the time, the listing of books broken down by age that is available in Reading the Saints by Janet McKenzie. I think you'd find it really helpful as you plan which saints books you might read each year.
Just my 2 cents. If it's any consolation, I don't think you'll go wrong no matter which series you invest in - you may just find that one book might be better when you have a 6th/7th grader, and you could choose to save it on your shelf until then. But, they're both really good series!
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Jen Mackintosh
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JennGM
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| Posted: Aug 17 2010 at 10:36am | IP Logged
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I grew up on the old Daughters of St. Paul series, Encounter Books. Encounter the Saints is a similar series, but the ones with the same titles are rewritten and new illustrations. The sisters are also adding new titles to the series.
I love the originals. I'm not as crazy about the new ones, as I find some of the language is a bit simplified and I miss the old illustrations.
I love the Vision Books series, too. I was going to post as Jen mentioned, that I think the reading level is different, with Vision being a little higher level.
My advice would be the same as Jen's, to purchase the Pauline series "Encounter the Saints" and "Along the Paths of the Gospel." My main reasons for that encouragement:
1) the reading level would fit your children and
2) the Daughters of St. Paul's books go out of print very quickly, and not always reprinted. If you like something by them, buy it now, as it will be harder to find a copy later on.
Vision books are around in wide varieties. Ignatius is a larger publishing company and reprinting the Vision books, but there are also the older volumes from Farrar Straus, the 50s and 60s. For that reason, it is easier to find Vision, if you decide later to add to your library.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
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joann10
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| Posted: Aug 17 2010 at 10:45am | IP Logged
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We like "Along the Paths of the Gospel" I read them aloud and then they are perfect for my "slower" reader to read on his own. My teenagers really enjoy the Encounter and Vision books as they have grown up....as read alouds, these just don't seem to work well with my younger kids... 
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Erin
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Also weighing in for the Encounter books for earlier, Vision books for later.
If money was tight though and you had to choose, I'd always pick the Vision books. Imo they have more depth.
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Erin
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Encounter the Saints vs Vision books
