Where Stories Begin and Imagination Takes Flight
When the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair opened its doors in 2013, it wasn’t trying to compete with the massive global fairs. It had one goal: give children’s books a place where they weren’t an afterthought. In a world where adult titles usually dominate, Shanghai created a stage dedicated entirely to young readers, illustrators, and storytellers. That focus paid off. Year after year, the fair grew—more countries joined, more publishers partnered, and more schools and educators found their way into the conversation. What started as a regional event is now Asia’s leading children’s publishing fair, a marketplace of ideas where creativity and childhood collide.
The China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair is bursting with life. Beyond the book displays, visitors can catch live storytelling, illustration showcases, pitch sessions, and workshops led by award-winning creators. Publishers hunt for the next breakout title. Kids explore hands-on learning corners. Educators exchange new ideas on how to keep reading alive in the digital age. It’s not just a book fair—it’s a celebration of imagination, growth, and discovery.
This year’s guiding theme says it all: “Embracing the Future.” It captures the heart of the event. Reading isn’t just about words on a page—it’s about connection, shared experiences, and shaping the future one story at a time.
Amid this vibrant showcase of creativity and global storytelling, Kravitz & Sons proudly features Journey Through Time: The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation by Laurence F. Aucella, a profound exploration of faith and the timeless process of spiritual transformation. The book takes readers through the evolution of the Catholic Church’s initiation rites, revealing how history, belief, and community intertwine to form the foundation of Christian identity.
Guided by Faith and Lifelong Learning
Laurence F. Aucella, Ed.D., Ph.D., has spent a lifetime at the intersection of education, psychology, and theology. With over forty years of experience as both a counselor and educator, Dr. Aucella’s work reflects a balance of academic rigor and heartfelt devotion. His teaching career spans colleges, churches, and community programs, where he continues to inspire students and parishioners alike.
Beyond his scholarship, Dr. Aucella serves as a Eucharistic minister and Sunday school teacher at Saint Anne’s Todos Los Santos Shrine in Waterbury, Connecticut. His approach to writing mirrors his teaching—thoughtful, clear, and deeply rooted in personal faith. Every chapter he writes feels like a dialogue between intellect and spirit, blending theological insight with the compassion of a man who has walked with faith all his life.
The Heart of Christian Transformation
Journey Through Time: The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation brings the ancient and the modern into conversation. Through detailed historical analysis and spiritual reflection, Dr. Aucella takes readers deep into the Church’s process of welcoming new believers through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). It’s a book that doesn’t just explain rituals—it brings them to life, showing how the Church’s practices are living expressions of renewal and belonging.
The narrative travels through centuries of Christian growth, reform, and rediscovery. From the earliest catechumenal periods to the reforms of Vatican II, the book traces how the journey of faith remains both constant and evolving. Each page reflects the beauty of tradition meeting transformation—where the old wisdom of the Church continues to guide modern believers toward grace.
Through his writing, Dr. Aucella reminds readers that faith is not a fixed destination but an ongoing journey. His words carry the warmth of a teacher and the conviction of a believer, inviting readers to see their own stories within the broader tapestry of Christian history. The book also pays tribute to Sister Dorilda Flynn of the Sisters of Saint Anne, whose influence deeply shaped his understanding of faith and spiritual mentorship.
A Journey Worth Taking
At an event built around imagination and discovery, Journey Through Time offers something rare—a chance to explore the imagination of faith itself. It encourages readers, young and old, to view spiritual learning as a lifelong adventure. The book’s presence at the 2025 China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair reminds us that knowledge and belief walk hand in hand, both essential in shaping hearts and minds for the future.
It’s more than a religious study—it’s a reflection of what it means to belong, to seek truth, and to embrace growth through understanding. In a world full of noise, Journey Through Time stands out as a voice of clarity, compassion, and conviction.
