Well, this is disturbing. Major book retailers are encouraging kids to summon their own personal devils this Christmas. All they have to do is convince their loving parents to gift them the next best kids' book, A Children’s Book of Demons, sure to be a hit in kindergarten classrooms nationwide.

LifeSiteNews reported that the book, written by Aaron Leighton, will instruct kids on how to “conjure gentle demons by writing their sigils, which serve as ‘a phone number’ straight to the spirit.” Heck, yeah. Remove the uncertainty that comes with old school Ouija boards and direct dial Satan and his minions. It’s the perfect fun for all ages.

Joking aside, this strange and macabre introduction to the occult is being marketed to the “5 to 10-year-old” demographic and will be sold on Amazon, and at Wal-Mart and Barnes & Noble.That kids are being exposed to this has alarmed parents and even exorcists.

Popular parenting blogger Elizabeth Johnston, whose online persona is “Activist Mommy,” provided a blunt warning to parents curious about the book, which is presented by the author as playful, and “innocent” enough. “Activist Mommy” claimed, “as ridiculous as the ‘demons’ contained in the book may be, there is nothing innocent or fun about even pretending to summon evil spirits.”

“But who is to say it is pretend?” she asked, adding: “The spirit world is real and is not laughing.” Granted, there are probably many secular parents who would roll their eyes over what seems to be something so trite, but Johnston’s statement is a good reminder that demons are an ever-present reality looking for a way in.

Johnston claimed that the “playful” book is a ruse used by Leighton, “an occultist himself,” to “proselytize our children.” And even if their kids weren’t unfortunate enough to contact something on the other side, shouldn’t parents question whether normalizing contact with the spirit world is a desirable thing?

Catholic Exorcist Fr. Chad Ripperger warned that the book is dangerous. He claimed, “The recent publication of the book ‘A Children’s Book of Demons’ should be concerning for parents because it opens the door to demonic influence in the lives of children.”

The fact that it’s wrapped up in a cute, kid-friendly package seems to be the most insidious aspect of the book. Amazon’s website description of the book reads: "Don’t want to take out the trash tonight? Maybe you’re swimming in homework? Perhaps that big bully is being a real drag? Well grab your coloured pencils and sigil drawing skills and dial up some demons!”

Yes, it’s all fun and games, and therein lies the issue, as Father Ripperger explained, “It is a sign of the degeneration of our society that making use of demons is considered acceptable, and it manifests ignorance of their malice and desire to do us harm.”

What’s that line about the devil again? Oh yeah, the greatest trick he ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.