In the tradition of Grimm's fairytales, Peter Leithart has produced a wonderful collection of whimsical, yet meaningful, bedtime stories. The characters in each story are as varied as the biblical proverbs they reveal. Meet a servant with an important mission and magic shoes, or find out what happens when Ivy bumps into a talking rabbit in the forest. Sure to delight children ages five and up (but no promises they'll be asleep by the time the story's over).
View an excerpt here.
FROM THE PREFACE:
"My intention in Wise Words was to write stories that would appeal to children as stories; that would challenge parents who read to their children; that would illustrate biblical proverbs; and that would borrow imagery, plots, characters, settings, and themes from the Bible. Whether my stories appeal to children--other than my own, of course, who are deeply prejudiced--or challenge adults is, I suppose, for children and adults to judge."
EXCERPTS:
'The squirrel shook his tail for a moment. "Sir, I will make a deal with you." "What kind of deal can you make?" the woodsman laughed. "If you promise not to cut down my tree, I will tell you an amazing secret. I promise you, this secret is worth more than any tree, much, much more.'
~ from "The Magical Walnut"
'His chance came late on a moonless summer night. Unaware of the danger, King Abraham had taken his best men into the forest for two weeks of hunting. The castle had been left under the protection of the fat butler and the thin cook, who, though sturdy and brave, were no match for a cunning and powerful dragon.'
~ from "A Reluctant Rescue"
'One day, a man appeared at Adam's garden. "I am an inspector from the Ministry of Nasty Smells," he said, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "We have had some complaints about your garden." This was town, you can see, that took its gardening seriously.'
~ from "The Fragrant Garden"
Wise Words is in the following collections: