{"product_id":"white-smoke-two-gulls-and-a-pope-9798889116622","title":"White Smoke, Two Gulls, and a Pope","description":"\u003cp\u003eA little bit of Rome, a puff of white smoke, and a flutter of feathers--\u003ci\u003eWhite Smoke, Two Gulls, and a Pope\u003c\/i\u003e beautifully captures the joy and wonder of a world-changing moment through the eyes of two seagulls and the hearts of children everywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen white smoke curls above the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of a new pope, Mama Seagull and her curious chick watch from their perch high above St. Peter's Square. Down below, pilgrims cheer, sisters pray, and the cardinals' choice is revealed: the first American pope, Leo XIV!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTold in gentle rhyme and brought to life with radiant illustrations, this story invites young readers to experience the excitement and unity of the Catholic Church at one of its most special moments. Along the way, children learn about the papacy, God's guiding hand through history, and the joy of belonging to one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA delight for families, classrooms, and parish libraries, \u003ci\u003eWhite Smoke, Two Gulls, and a Pope\u003c\/i\u003e celebrates faith, hope, and the beauty of our universal Church--through the eyes of a bird and the faith of a child.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBallard, Leah:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eLeah Ballard (née Pumfrey) is a 2022 graduate of Sheridan College's Bachelor of Animation program. She lives in the Cincinnati area with her husband and two cats. Her twin sister, Cora Potvin, lives nearby. Leah works as a freelance children's book illustrator. She has illustrated two children's books: \u003ci\u003eOne Holy Marriage: The Story of Saints Louis \u0026amp; Zélie Martin\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eAbba, Father\u003c\/i\u003e. ​Leah has also worked at Pip Animation as a background painter and color stylist for three seasons of \u003ci\u003eCyberchase\u003c\/i\u003e and as both a layout artist and background painter on a pilot episode. She can be reached at leahpumfreyart@gmail.com.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eWarner, Kathleen:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eKatie Warner is a homeschooling mom and bestselling author who loves to bring delight and whimsy to solidly Catholic children's literature. Her popular titles include \u003ci\u003eOne Holy Marriage: The Story of Saints Louis \u0026amp; Zélie Martin\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLily Lolek: Future Saint\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eJack Giorgio: Future Priest\u003c\/i\u003e. She has a graduate degree in theology and lives in Georgia with her husband and fellow book-loving children. This is Katie's nineteenth children's book but certainly the first one spotlighting birds! Check out her entire collection at FirstFaithTreasury.com (where you can also find free crafts and liturgical living activities) and connect with Katie online -- she loves to hear from readers! -- at KatieWarner.com or @katiewarnercatholic.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePotvin, Cora:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Cora Potvin grew up in rural southwest Ontario, Canada, and became interested in pursuing art as a career in high school, when she and her twin sister started a joint Instagram art account. They gained more than forty thousand followers in just over a year and that propelled the pair into pursuing art as a career.​ Cora graduated from Sheridan College in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in animation. She has worked professionally as a background painter at PIP Animation on three seasons of Cyberchase and another to-be-announced project. Learn more at littleflowercreative.co.","brand":"Sophia Institute Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52196538908946,"sku":"9798889116622","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_93a806d3-5e12-4c56-8c14-c8082fd833e3.jpg?v=1776153004","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/white-smoke-two-gulls-and-a-pope-9798889116622","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}