Sowing the Seed is volume three of The Lord’s Garden series, following Taking Root (focusing on conversion) and Bearing Fruit (growing in faith). Sowing the Seed takes us further into an important part of the Christian life as it focuses on stories about people sharing the gospel with others. It is made up of 43 chapters, in the same format as the first two books of the series—beginning with a Scripture verse, followed by the story, and oftentimes concluding with some personal application questions which tie in with the story. The chapters themselves range in length, from the 15-page “The Christian Traveler” to the single page “Morning Prayer;” but long or short, each story shares the importance of evangelism. Several are stories about faithful pastors, such as Reverend Thomas Vincent, George Whitefield, Louis Albert Banks, and Jean-Baptiste Massillon. My personal favourite is a story entitled “Who Made It?” which is about Sir Isaac Newton and the way he wisely used a specific situation to witness to a friend. However, the overall message of the book shows that God uses anyone to tell others about Him—from meek and shy Christians, to bold missionaries; salesmen, soldiers and gardeners, to young children!

Children will clearly see that no matter where they are they can tell others about Jesus in many ways, being encouraged and inspired by these stories, as they see the importance and joy of sharing the good news of Jesus with others. 

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Review of Taking Root – Conversion Stories for Children by Diana Kleyn

Taking Root is volume one of The Lord’s Garden series by Diana Kleyn – a series that I have already come to appreciate greatly! Too often today the reading material for children is watered-down or simply doesn’t cover some of the most important issues of the Christian faith. I admit I was intrigued to read the second half of this title – Conversion Stories for Children – as I’d never seen a book about this topic written for children. But this book is exactly what the title describes, focusing on “stories about how God gives people new spiritual life by rooting their hearts in the grace of His Son Jesus Christ.”

Taking Root is made up of 45 chapters of stories. Most are about 3 pages in length, but there are a few that can span up to 11 pages (ie: “What Shall It Profit?,” “The Gift,” and “Rebecca’s Refuge”). Each chapter begins with a Scripture verse, and then tells a story that relates to the verse noted, and focuses on the topic of conversion. Each story is based on true happenings, most taken from books of the 19^th century and updated to contemporary language and made understandable for children. The stories range greatly when it comes to describing how conversion takes place in people’s lives. They are typically about children grasping what it means to be convicted of sin, but each story shows the different ways the Holy Spirit convicts, showing conviction and conversion of the characters through a variety of means including the Word, parents, teachers, preachers, strangers, slaves, the words of a hymn, prayers of others, tragedy, revival meetings, and even a bird!

Each chapter teaches children about what conversion means – how it affects and changes people and the seriousness and importance of it – and often ends on a personal note with questions to consider about their own lives.

This book is fantastic for teaching children the idea of conversion. Some of the wording can be a bit more mature and therefore young children may need extra explanations (ie: in “A Search for Atoning Blood” a child might not understand what “Atoning Blood” means). But overall this is a great book for children – no matter their age. In fact, I believe adults will enjoy these stories just as much as children will! 

Review of Bearing Fruit – Stories About Godliness for Children by Diana Kleyn

Volume two of The Lord’s Garden series focuses on a topic that is the perfect follow-up for volume one. As the first was about conversion, Bearing Fruit now continues from that and is about living in faith and growing in spiritual fruit after conversion takes place.

Bearing Fruit has 43 chapters and is done in the same style as Taking Root, as each chapter begins with a Scripture verse and then tells a story that relates to it. As a way of introduction, the first chapter explains what it means to bear fruit, what the fruit of the Spirit is, and the way in which we develop spiritual fruit. It then goes into the stories, and as these are “Stories about Godliness” there is a wide range of themes: from suffering consciences brought about by lying and stealing (which then move to focus on repentance), to loving your enemies and helping one another. There are stories that bring out lessons in pride and vanity, making right choices, forgiveness, prayer, obedience, and what it means to be Christ-like, and my personal favourite was a one of Sir James Thornhill, which displayed the dangers of walking from God and how He draws us back to Him (entitled “A Painter’s Life Saved”).

Most of the chapters are quite short, while some are longer – but no matter the length, they all bring out a great focus and teach wonderful messages to children.

Overall, the book really emphasizes that children are never too young to serve the Lord or be used by Him to help others, and also shows the joy and testimony that children can be to others.

This is a book that I highly recommend for parents to read with their children as you encourage them to grow and help them learn the importance of bearing the fruit of godliness.

Review of John Calvin by Simonetta Carr

In this new release, Simonetta Carr presents a biography of John Calvin for young readers. A project like this would be no easy task to write, as the depth of impact left on the church and the Reformation by Calvin through his life – writings, preaching, teaching, etc. – is immeasurable. Yet Carr has managed to introduce Calvin in a way that portrays this all, in less than 64 pages!

John Calvin takes us through Calvin’s life: from his birth, to his school years; the beginning of his work for the Reformation and the troubles faced because of it, to his first writings; working as a pastor and organizing a church, to his marriage; his founding of a college, to his last days. Throughout it all, Carr leaves no doubt of his influence, faith, and importance, and yet does not overwhelm with too many detailed facts.

The reader is able to get a glimpse of what life was like for Calvin – the good and the bad – as we read of the dangers he faced and the difficult times he lived in, and also the strength of his conviction in the truth of the Scriptures and how hard he worked to share that with everyone he could in a most faithful and humble way. We are introduced to his infamous “Institutes of the Christian Religion” and to many other writings and commentaries he wrote over time, and also are introduced to many of the men he worked with throughout his life. In all, the information about his life is presented very thoroughly yet understandably, and with enough enthusiasm and fascinating facts to keep a young reader interested from start to finish.

Adding to the information of the book is a section entitled “Did You Know?”, which is several pages of miscellaneous facts about Calvin, the times he lived in, the Reformation, and much more. There is also a timeline of Calvin’s life which is very handy for a young reader to see.

Throughout the book there are also wonderful eye-catching illustrations done by Emanuele Taglietti. There are approximately 2-5 full-page illustrations per chapter that add an overall extra appeal to the book.

I highly recommend this book to any parent who would like to introduce their children to the life of John Calvin. It’s a most excellent read and is the perfect book for giving young readers their first look into the life of this inspirational Reformer. 

Review of Christie’s Old Organ by Mrs. O. F. Walton

Mrs. O. F. Walton wrote many children’s books that portray biblical truths throughout them. Her most well-known book is called Christie’s Old Organ, which was written in 1882, and is the story of Christie (short for Christopher), an orphan boy who befriends Treffy – “a poor, forlorn old man, without a friend in the world.” Treffy makes his meagre living by playing his old barrel-organ, which plays only four out-dated tunes – one being a song that comes to mean very much to both Christie and Treffy called “Home Sweet Home.”

Both Treffy and Christie are eager to discover where this “Home Sweet Home” is, and when they learn that Treffy doesn’t have much time to live, Christie is given the task of finding out all he can about a possible “Home Sweet Home” called heaven.

One day while out playing the organ, Christie meets two children – Mabel and Charlie – from whom he learns about Jesus. Desperate to know more about Jesus and heaven, Christie then goes to hear a preacher who, through his messages, gives him the answers he and Treffy were looking for.

Though a simple story, Walton writes it in such a way that it is absolutely bursting with important truths for children to learn. In a straightforward and clear manner, she thoroughly explains the gospel message, what faith means, the work of the Holy Spirit, and even clarifies the difference between “feeling” and “knowing” while discussing the topic of personal salvation. These can be complicated things to explain to a child, but she does it in such a way throughout the entire book that it is clear and understandable for anyone who reads it.

Christie’s Old Organ is a great book, full of wonderful truths – and I highly recommend picking it up and enjoying this story for yourself!