The King Without a Shadow

Written by R.C. Sproul
Illustrated by Liz Bonham
Chariot Family Publishing, $16.99

ISBN 0781402573

Premier picture books
Send a Message to Little Folks

Review by Mike and Amy Nappa

R.C. Sproul's The King Without a Shadow is an allegory designed to help children explore the virtue of holiness. Known widely among Christian readers as the author of both fiction and nonfiction, Sproul here makes his first foray into the world of children's literature. The story begins with a meeting between a great king and a curious little boy. "Where do shadows come from?" asks the boy. "Where do they go when they leave?"

The boy's curiosity about shadows rubs off on the king, and so he begins an intellectual trek to discover the answers to the boy's questions. In the process he discovers how sin is like a shadow and how light is like God's holiness. Because the story covers a good bit of ground, parents may want to enjoy The King Without a Shadow over the course of two or three storytelling sessions. Also, Sproul's writing style is more suited to older children than younger ones.

Illustrator Liz Bonham (who also brought to life Max Lucado's The Crippled Lamb has contributed drawings of award-winning quality to Sproul's text. With a sensitive and colorful style, Bonham reveals a breathtaking kingdom that's both imaginative and believable. Using light and shadows in creative ways, she intrigues the young eyes of children for whom this book is intended.

Although not all children will be able to grasp the theology of The King Without a Shadow, this book will plant a seed of understanding about God's holiness.

Mike and Amy Nappa both write and review many books for Christian readers.

Copyright ©1996, ProMotion, inc.
www@acloserlook.com