Christian Author & Story
Rainbow Garden
VERDICT: HIGHLY Recommended
(with caution)
Concern Level: Medium-Low
Christian Parent Review
Concern LevelMedium-Low
Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content
Like this author’s other books, there is not much in the area of concerning content here. The book starts in a setting where a child has a mother, but is emotionally neglected. Her father is missing, her mother goes to parties and is emotionally shallow/absent. This situation is redeemed later, but it could be hard for kids in certain situations. There are a couple of perilous moments that may be frightening for younger readers. A thief threatens a child very directly in a couple of instances. There are instances where harsh responses are used when someone is hurt. Another instance that is fully redeemed in a beautiful moment occurs when a young child asks why God doesn’t heal her legs. The book has a wonderful handling of this, but it is certainly a heavy topic. The main character steals, but this is seen in a negative light and handled well. A quick comment is made in passing about the “Easter Rabbit” hiding eggs around Easter, but the focus is placed more on the family attending church.
VerdictHIGHLY Recommended
Our Thoughts
Fullness of Joy! That is the key message/passage that this author chooses to bring to kids in this wonderful story of salvation and the impact of Jesus on lives, young and old. We recently reviewed The Great Gilly Hopkins. In a similar way, this is a story that begins with an unlikable young girl who grew up in an extremely challenging situation. The difference here is that the gospel and the work of Jesus as the ultimate solution is font-and-center. Instead of a “best the world has to offer” type ending we see an example of what God can do in an impossible situation. Here a girl from a neglected, worldly home enters the loving home of a Christian family. The Bible, church, praying and Godly counsel are all front and center and applied to multiple teaching moments (e.g., self-pity, shyness, selfishness, etc.). An especially helpful aspect of this book is that after salvation we see a lengthy section of the book where we see the importance of sanctification and growing as a believer to be more like Jesus. All of this is packed into a very enjoyable story.
Plot SummaryNote: This information is typically from the publisher.
When Elaine leaves her home in London to stay with the Owen family in Wales, she feels miserable and left out. It's only the little secret garden that she finds at the end of the rainbow that makes staying there seem worthwhile. And then something happens that changes her contentment.
Purchase LinkAbove Reproach: We intentionally do NOT use referral links on this site. Purchase Book Convenience Link
Scripture Reflection
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
— Philippians 4:8-9
--- See More Christian Parent Reviews ---
More Christian Parent Reviews
