Stunning Children's Book

 

I have a post in the works about some of our favorite books, because few things help me maintain my sanity more than actually enjoying reading to my kids, just as few things kill my sanity more than being mommy guilted into reading yet another Dora or, even worse, Backyardigans book (most pointless kids' show/book series I have yet to come across). 

So stay tuned. In the meantime, I have been too antsy to wait to share this amazing book.  Good things beg to be shared, and this is one of those things. 

The book is: "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom" by Carole Boston Weatherford.

I simply. love. it.  

 

We checked this book out of the library a year ago, and I cried through almost the whole thing.  I finally used some amazon credit to add it to our collection and again cried as I read.  A.mazing.

The story is, as the title suggests, of Harriet Tubman's plight to freedom from slavery.  It is one of incredible faith and deep dependence on God as Harriet experiences the fear of leaving the south and then risks returning to bring others out of slavery into freedom.

I originally pulled the book off the library shelf because of the stunning cover and illustrations and because I wanted to begin to introduce my son to some of the injustices in the world, in an age appropriate way.  This definitely fit that criteria.  But I purchased the book for more than that.  I purchased it because it speaks to me.  I can't think of another single children's book besides this one that I close the book and beg Oh Lord, let me trust you more.  The book is filled with prayers Harriet utters to God and his voice in return to her as he directs and strengthens her.

The book suggests ages 5-9.  I first read it to my son at four and found it perfectly appropriate, although at that age a lot of it likely went over his head.  At five he was very eager to know if she would be able to escape. 

If you are in the market for other books of this same genre, I would also highly recommend Henry's Freedom Box, the true story of ex-slave Henry Brown mailing himself to freedom.  It is very different in style than Moses, and void of the deep spiritual message, but I found it to be a page turner for my boys and absolutely perfect for an introduction to this time in history.  Because of the absurdity of mailing oneself, we were able to enjoy the silliness while also introducing the difficulties of a serious subject. 



So enough said.  Check them out and let me know when you have (mostly so I can finally say to someone about Moses, 'Didn't you just love it?').