A Tale of Two Kings: A Children's Book Review and the Gospel Story of Redemption Shown Through Contrast

"A Tale of Two Kings" is a beautifully written and illustrated children's book that teaches the gospel through the contrast between the first Adam and the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Written by Gloria Furman and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri, this book takes young readers on a journey through the story of creation, the fall, and redemption.

The book begins with the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The illustrations depict the beauty and wonder of the garden, and the text describes how God created everything and declared it good. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world and everything was changed.

Furman does a great job of explaining sin in a way that young children can understand. She writes, "Sin is when we don't do what God says. We want to do things our way instead of God's way." This simple explanation sets the stage for the rest of the book, which contrasts the first Adam's disobedience with the second Adam's obedience.

I appreciated the way she explained what sin is. Instead of simply saying "sin is the bad things we do", she expounds to say it is when we do things our way instead of God's way. This creates conversation about sin being more than just wrong acts, but also a matter of our heart towards God.

The next part of the book focuses on Jesus Christ as the second Adam. The book beautifully unfolds the story of Jesus' purpose on earth, showcasing His perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross for our sins. It delves into the depths of Jesus' journey, recounting His triumphant victory over temptation in the wilderness—a stark contrast to Adam's inability to resist. In this powerful narrative, children witness the redemption and restoration brought forth by Jesus, who fulfills what the first Adam could not.

This revelation opens the door for heartfelt conversations with our children, assuring them that even in their moments of weakness and failure, Jesus stands as their perfect representative. It is through His righteousness that they find solace, knowing that in Him, their shortcomings are covered by boundless grace.

Moving towards His crucifixion, the illustrations show the darkness that covered the land when Jesus died, and the text explains how Jesus defeated sin and death by rising from the dead. The book concludes by saying that we can now be friends with God again because of what Jesus did for us. 

Overall, "A Tale of Two Kings" is a wonderful resource for parents and teachers who want to teach young children about the gospel. The book presents the story in a clear and simple way, while also capturing the beauty and wonder of God's creation. Through this book, children can learn about sin, obedience, and redemption, and ultimately, the love of God through Jesus Christ.

As Christians, it is important to share the gospel with children and help them understand the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. "A Tale of Two Kings" is an excellent tool for doing just that. It presents the gospel in a way that is easy to understand and engaging for children. May we continue to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the next generation, and may this book be a helpful resource in that endeavor.

Having witnessed the profound impact that "A Tale of Two Kings" has had on our family for over a year now, I am excited to share my heartfelt review. From the very first time we read this book, it captivated our children's hearts and ignited meaningful conversations about God's love and redemption. Its pages have become a gateway to exploring the truths of the gospel in a way that speaks directly to our children's hearts. Seeing how our little ones connect with the characters (knowing they relate to Adam's failures) and understand the deep significance of Christ's sacrifice has been amazing. This book has become an invaluable resource in nurturing our children's faith and equipping them with a foundation rooted in God's love and grace.

The reading level of 'A Tale of Two Kings' is primarily aimed at children between the ages of 5 to 8. However, in our family, we have found it to be a wonderful read-aloud book that engages readers of all ages. Just yesterday, I had the joy of witnessing my 6-year-old confidently reading it aloud on his own, though he did seek help with a few bigger words like 'representatives.' Hearing the words of truth flow from his mouth filled my heart with love for this book, and it compelled me to share my thoughts through this blog post. I wholeheartedly believe that 'A Tale of Two Kings' deserves a special place in every Christian child's home.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to nurture their hearts with the profound truths of sin, redemption, and the immeasurable love of Jesus Christ. Grab your copy here today!

Interested in other books we have and recommend? You can check out this "Christian Children's Books We Love" Idea List I created on Amazon!

About the Author:
Gloria Furman is an author, speaker, and mom of four children who lives in the Middle East with her family. She has written several books on Christian living and motherhood, including "Glimpses of Grace," "Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full," and "Missional Motherhood." Furman is also a contributor to the Gospel Coalition and other publications.

In her writing and speaking, Furman emphasizes the grace and love of God in the midst of the challenges of life. She shares candidly about her own struggles with chronic illness, and how God has been faithful to her in the midst of those struggles. She is passionate about helping women and families to see the beauty and goodness of God in every area of life.

Furman's heart for sharing the gospel with children is evident in her book, "A Tale of Two Kings." She writes with a clear and simple style that engages young readers and helps them to understand the deep truths of the gospel. Her desire is for children to see the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and to be drawn to him in faith and trust.