Once again, Katie Schuermann has brought to life a wonderful tale that delights the heart to read. As other reviews have noted, there is a lyrical quality to her writing, something that I dearly love. Perhaps poetic prose is another good descriptor. It is not that you can sing every line, but you know careful thought was put into each sentence to be good and beautiful and true, singing to the heart in ways that draw the reader on because you care to know what will happen because you love the characters and the world she has created so much. Such is true for her latest book, The Big Father and His Little Boy. Though this small child is thrown into a harsh, unloving world, he is not abandoned, for he has a Father who truly loves him and sends His people and creatures along his path to guide him to safe pasture. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will see the blessings of God in this little adventure from chapter to chapter.

While my children are still a little young for this book, The Big Father and His Little Boy was a wonderful chapter book to read to them as they fell asleep each night. Best yet, it offered them another chance to hear the words of the Creed, this time in story form. This didactic book was symbolic in detail but the form was true to any good chapter book. The story is unique, yet it pulled from stories and images from Scripture that were familiar, adding depth to the story and understanding of events in the Old Testament as they paralleled with the Creed. The Big Father and His Little Boy is an engaging story in and of itself. But as it is also a teaching on the Creed (included in the back of the book are some discussion questions for a deeper dive into the story and the Apostles Creed), the combination of these elements into this unique book was something I couldn’t have imagined. I so loved reading this book aloud to my children. And be prepared for cliffhangers! You will eagerly look forward to digging into this story every night and wonder what will happen next when you finish each chapter!  

There were some sad moments, some very happy moments, and some that were so dear that they brought tears to my eyes. One of my favorite elements from this book was that God has placed many fathers (and mothers) into our lives to nurture us and show us God’s love and Word, people to be the means of how God our Father richly provides for us in our daily life. And though we face trials, God never abandons us (Psa. 37). He is our Father, and we are His children. And one last note: I adored Mercy and the tie-in to Whistle Grove. My children and I eagerly await the next installment of this series! And if you are looking for a wholesome, didactic, engaging story for your children or you with your children to read, The Big Father and His Little Boy is the book for you.

Blessings to you and yours,

~Madelyn Rose Craig