The golden rule gets the spotlight in this tale of selflessness. To provide for their large family, Miguel and his father travel from town to town to sell delicious pastries. Each town welcomes the duo’s arrival through song and dance, though the poor cannot afford the treats. Feeling pity for their plight, Papa graciously donates his baked goods to the struggling villagers. Concern for their family’s welfare causes Miguel and his mother to question this generosity, but his gift is returned threefold when the recipients share their skills with Papa and his growing brood. By focusing on prayer's inspirational power rather than specific doctrine, the nondenominational approach appeals broadly. The religious message cannot escape an earnest wholesomeness, though it refrains from didacticism. Biblical quotations support the straightforward narration. Repetitive dialogue builds the familiar arc to its uplifting conclusion, though the nondescript Latin setting cannot root it. Soft colors suit the quiet message; rounded shapes reveal a sweet vulnerability within each light spread. Overall, Christian charity receives a gentle endorsement. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-310-71602-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Zondervan
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2010
The lofty symbolism of this allegorical tale may be above the comprehension level of literal-minded children.
This Christian allegory presents a little bear who asks an all-powerful lion king for his help in solving the problems of other bear cubs.
Tucker is a cub who likes to help others, but his young friends have all sorts of deep-seated troubles, ranging from illness to hunger to aggression. So Tucker sets off on a journey to see the king, who lives in a hilltop castle “where the door was always open.” The bear cub wants to take along a “perfect gift” for the king to elicit his help, and in familiar fashion, he meets animals along the way who give him additional information about the king and items to take along as presents. Tucker takes all these items to the lion, who explains that as king he can fulfill these roles because he is a good father. The king returns to the town with Tucker, magically solving everyone’s problems with unexplained help and lots of love. Tucker concludes that the king is a “Good Good Father,” and Tucker’s seeking his help was the perfect gift. God is not mentioned in the text, and younger children will need an adult’s assistance in understanding the symbolic meaning of the lion and his multifaceted powers. Pleasant though unnuanced watercolor-and-pencil illustrations of appealing animal characters add some spunk to the story.
The lofty symbolism of this allegorical tale may be above the comprehension level of literal-minded children. (authors’ note) (Picture book/religion. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7180-8695-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Review Posted Online: Aug. 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2016
A song of Jesus’ love sure to strengthen children when their bravery lags.
A young girl faces a “big day of big things” with a song about Jesus’ love.
The start to Una Rayne’s day is a metaphor for her feelings; the thick fog keeps her from seeing the way forward. But before Una Rayne can express her fear, her mother is there saying that in the child’s heart “lives the biggest and greatest song. The one that makes you brave.” And as Una Rayne dons her backpack and sets off, her mama sings it to her: “Jesus loves you, / Makes you strong. / In Him you’re brave / And you belong.” As the song reverberates, the fog disappears. When Una Rayne can’t find a place to belong at lunchtime, her song leads her to make her own space, and she attracts new friends to her, to whom she teaches her song. Toward the end, the book turns toward overt religious teaching, though the messages are welcome and needed: “Jesus…is Love Himself. And His whisper beats inside our hearts.” A final scriptural quote from Zephaniah ends the book on a page with space for a child’s photo. Grimes’ illustrations are full of marvelous textures and patterns, especially in the leafy green trees, and facial expressions and gestures do a lot of the heavy emotional lifting. Una Rayne presents Asian; her mother has light skin and straight, light-brown hair. Background characters are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A song of Jesus’ love sure to strengthen children when their bravery lags. (Religious picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-4964-4654-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tyndale Kids
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
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