What an incredibly wonderful book! This is one that is boy-focused, but also has a solid girl character that will interest young female readers as well. We will get into the details, but we really want to encourage and challenge Christian parents… why aren’t books like this and (the recently reviewed) “Mary Jones and Her Bible” and other overtly Christian titles read and recommended at the same rate as “pretty solid” books like the “Little House on the Prairie” series, Little Women and other uber-popular titles? See what we found in this book and others like it to see that there really is no comparison from the perspective of God-honoring content. Who will you recommend this and other books like it to? How can you encourage other Christian families to read titles like these? (Note: This book ends with a list of dozens of titles from Lamplighter, including many from this same author that almost certainly contain the same type of content you will see below for this title. While recommended age range should be considered, and we do plan to continue doing detailed reviews, we consider Lamplighters a trusted source).
As far as the details, it starts immediately and runs to the very last page. The preface ends with a verse reference (Ephesians 6:10-18). It ends on the last page of the story with Teddy’s mother whispering a sweet prayer over his future.
Here is a sampling of the content you will find in this Christ-honoring story:
We see Teddy dedicate his life to Christ early in the story. While he very honestly shows the battle with sin we have during sanctification (from a kids perspective), Teddy’s life is never the same.
Teddy’s mother prays multiple times over him, with the first saying she “breathed a prayer that her little son would fight as bravely for Christ’s honour as he did for that of his father’s button” (his prized possession). The book ends with an even sweeter prayer.
The remaining plot becomes an amazing view of a child tangibly trying to follow Jesus. Teddy is a boy’s boy. Often he will do something instinctive and mischievous and then soon after feel the Holy Spirit convicting him. He wants to catch himself sooner and is told to pray for this. It is really remarkable how honest and good this comes across.
Church is shown as a very natural part of life. A pastor is instrumental in Teddy coming to faith and helping him grow. Teddy makes a huge mistake in church early in the story and this man takes the time to have him over to tea. He handles this interaction wonderfully. He has him read a verse related to his mistake and think it over for 5-minutes silently before discussing. He then very lovingly, scripturally reproves him. After praying over him and sending him home to consider, this is what leads to Teddy dedicating his life to the Lord and His service. His mother (that night) is also a huge part of this process. What a beautiful example of the church in action!
We get to hear Teddy’s prayer for salvation and it is awesome and genuine.
Teddy asks his mother to read to him. When asked what he wants to hear he asks to hear of the men in the fiery furnace from the Bible.
This pastor uses Teddy’s desire to serve bravely in the army (like his father) as a picture of how God wants him enlisted in HIs service, using this to explain serving our Good King. This is a picture that could stick with a young reader their entire lives!
Sanctification and our battle against sin are a major highlight here. The author does a great job of using the plot to bring this into a very kid-focused, easy-to-grasp and incredibly powerful lesson.
Jesus is referred to directly multiple times, often by name, e.g. “Jesus Christ… and His banner is love, so I have to love everybody, whether I like them or not”.
There are other excellent characters. Teddy meets a soldier with a “well-worn Bible” who used to be a drunk and scoundrel, but Jesus rescued him. Now he takes his orders from his King daily through the Word.
Teddy himself shares God’s love to another soldier in a beautiful scene. He originally wanted to bring him to the pastor, but he was challenged to do it himself.
The author writes several sections where you can tell they truly understand our spiritual walk. Here is one example: “Teddy had little idea of the mighty conflict in his breast… Tim was at the stage now where the powers of good and evil were contending for his soul. The real battle for life and death was unfolding”.
One Sunday Nancy comes upon Teddy who is reading his “Sunday book”, which young readers find out is “Pilgrim’s Progress”.
Teddy tells Nancy, in great detail, of his daydream of being taken up to Heaven, meeting his Captain (Jesus) and being reunited with his father. This story plants seeds that lead to Nancy’s salvation as well.
The book shares quite a bit of biblical-based wisdom. For example, a family member tells Teddy, “Fightin’ ain’t the only grand thing in this world; peace is grander” to which Teddy replies that his mother told him something similar and had him learn the “blessed are the peacemakers” verse. His mother tells him about a new young lady in town, “the fact of her being a stranger ought to make you kind to her”. Teddy is also told, “Men ought to always give way to women” (being a gentleman).
We really feel that any young boy will be able to put themselves in Teddy’s shoes and be challenged to live for Jesus, no matter where they are on this journey.
