Summa Theologiae for Babies: Prima Secundae Partis (Gulick)

Summa Theologiae for Babies

By Adele Gulick · Published by TAN Books

Introduce your child to the foundations of the moral life through the timeless wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas. Summa Theologiae for Babies brings young readers into the heart of the Second Part of the Summa Theologiae, where the Angelic Doctor teaches how we choose the good, how our desires shape our actions, and how virtue forms a well-ordered soul.

Through engaging illustrations and clear, simple language, children follow along with baby Thomas as he begins to understand the moral life. Concepts such as the will, the passions, virtue and vice, God’s law, and true happiness are presented in a way that is both accessible and faithful. Rather than diluting these truths, this book translates them into a form that captures the imagination and lays a lasting foundation.

In a culture that often confuses right and wrong, this book gives children clarity from the beginning. It does not merely teach what goodness is―it begins forming the habit of choosing it.

What This Book Offers:

• Introduces children to choosing good over evil from their earliest years.
• Translates the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas into language children can grasp.
• Builds an understanding of habits, character, and moral decision-making.
• Presents objective truth in a world that often denies it.

• Help children understand how choices shape who they become.
• Teach the difference between good habits and destructive ones.
• Give children a stable moral framework rooted in the Catholic tradition.
• Show that true happiness comes from living according to God’s design.
• Equip parents to teach moral clarity in daily life.

From the Tradition

The moral life begins with learning to love what is good and to choose it again and again.

This book is ideal for young children, parents, and families seeking to introduce Catholic moral teaching at the earliest stages of formation. It is especially valuable for those who want to shape their child’s understanding of right and wrong with clarity and confidence.

It is not a simplified moral storybook alone, but a faithful introduction to the structure of the moral life rooted in Thomistic philosophy.

Practical use cases include bedtime reading, homeschool instruction, early catechesis, and daily formation within the home.

Is this book too advanced for young children?
No. It presents complex ideas in simple, engaging language and illustrations designed specifically for early learners.

What part of the Summa does it cover?
It introduces themes from the Second Part of the Summa Theologiae, focusing on the moral life and human action.

Is this part of a series?
Yes. It belongs to the Summa Theologiae for Babies series, designed to introduce Thomistic thought from the earliest years.

Key Themes

• Building habits of goodness from childhood.
• Understanding how decisions shape the soul.
• Introducing the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas.
• Forming a rightly ordered soul.
• Living according to God’s design.