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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Some of life's biggest lessons come from the simplest stories. In The Red Letters: Parables from the Gospel of Matthew, Angela Fincham introduces young learners to some of Jesus's best-known parables and their lessons. The book begins by defining what a parable is, using language children can understand. It also explains why some Bibles print Jesus' words in red. Readers explore tales like The Wise and Foolish Builders, The Seeds and the Soil, The Lost Sheep, The Workers in the Vineyard, and many others. In The Ten Bridesmaids, five bridesmaids are ready to join the wedding celebration when the bridegroom arrives, and five are not. It reinforces Jesus' message to be ready for what matters most.
I enjoyed reading The Red Letters by Angela Fincham. I work in a parochial school and attended mass as a child, so I was familiar with many of these parables. Even so, this book was a nice refresher. The parables are easy to read while still keeping the lessons at the heart of each story. Each ends with a clear moral, giving young readers a chance to think about how it applies to their own lives. As an adult, I understand why some words in the Bible are printed in red, but children may not, so the explanation is quite helpful. The Wise and Foolish Builders was my favorite. It brought The Three Little Pigs to mind since both stories emphasize the importance of building on a solid foundation. This book would be fun to read during a religion lesson or to begin talks about kindness, forgiveness, and making good choices. As a follow-up, students could share their favorite tale and explain why it stood out to them. The illustrations have a soothing quality that helps kids stay calm while reading. Families, churches, Christian schools, and anyone looking for a child-friendly introduction to Jesus' parables will want to pick this one up.
