In Caspian Crashes the Party, children will learn about responding with faith when jealousy takes hold in their hearts.
Caspian’s brother, Jax, is having a birthday party, and Caspian is jealous of all the attention and presents Jax is getting. One thing leads to another until Caspian crashes into the tent his parents set up for Jax’s birthday, bringing the whole party down with him. Caspian’s parents talk with him about jealousy and its bad effects, and eventually peace is restored.
Edited by Edward T. Welch, Caspian Crashes the Party offers concrete, grace-based help for overcoming jealousy and is part of the Good News for Little Hearts series, which brings gospel wisdom and biblical counsel to families. Based on CCEF’s model of hope and help, each story focuses on an animal family’s real-life issues, encouraging young readers toward a growing relationship with Jesus during challenging circumstances.
"These books are a uniquely different genre from classic children's bedtime reading. They are counseling books to help children. They provide a creative avenue for children to consider how their faith is intimately relevant to their struggles. This is what makes this series of books so significant."
David Powlison, (1949–2019) was Executive Director of CCEF and editor of the Good News for Little Hearts series
"When our children were little, we read to them constantly—and had these books been available, they would have been among the favorites. With the simplicity and engaging charm of the Peter Rabbit stories, yet with the quiet grace of Christian insight, these stories stamp themselves on young minds. Text and pictures support each other tellingly. These books are destined to become favorites for young families."
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical School, Deerfield, IL; cofounder of The Gospel Coalition
"I love these books. My daughter Kim who struggles with a disability loves these books. She giggles all the way through them—catching all the subtle humor. I read them to my grandkids. We especially love the drawings. I buy copies for all my grandchildren. What more can I say? They are fun!"
Paul E. Miller, Director of seeJesus; author of A Praying Life and J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life
"So many Christian parents are looking for engaging, age-appropriate ways to help their young children learn what the Bible teaches about everyday struggles and challenging situations. This new book series edited by David Powlison and Ed Welch fits the bill! In the Good News for Little Hearts series, kids will be enthralled by relatable characters, charming illustrations, and gospel-centered lessons. These volumes would make a valuable addition to any family's library."
Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family
"I sat on the porch with another Christian mom and our three children and we read aloud Buster Tries to Bail, Caspian Crashes the Party, and Halle takes a Stand. What a balm to our hearts and souls these books were! The children all identified with the heart issues presented: dealing with stress, jealousy, and peer pressure. The characters—represented by delightfully illustrated animals—revealed how important children are, both to the Lord and to the world around them. A child applying faith to a real-life challenge holds the power and influence to change the world. The adult characters modeled how a parent could handle a difficult, embarrassing, and discouraging situation while applying the Bible as light to all of our steps. Indeed, and this is one of the more brilliant aspects of these books, these books show by example a hermeneutic of Biblical application that is faithful but not wooden, and powerful but not for grown-ups only. And the teaching tools in the back—questions and answers for parents and cut-out Bible verses for children—make these books hands-on treasures. I love these books and will be buying many copies for the children in my life!"
Rosaria Butterfield is married to Rev. Kent Butterfield, pastor of First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Durham, NC. She is a homeschooling mother and writer.
"For years I wished there were resources that would help equip children to face the many trials and temptations that come in this life rather than waiting till they are neck-deep in the mire before throwing them the lifeline of biblical truth. The Good News for Little Hearts series is an answer to my longing. These books communicate life-changing biblical truths through beautiful illustrations and stories that connect with young hearts in meaningful ways."
Curtis Solomon, Executive Director, Biblical Counseling Coalition
"Wow, what a series! Within these books you meet wonderfully relatable characters with feelings and experiences readily identifiable to children of all ages, clever and creative illustrations, excellent questions that will spark meaningful conversations with your child or grandchild, and simple scriptural connections that are easily understood. Can't wait to recommend them to our kids and read them to our grandkids!"
Dave Harvey, President of Great Commission Collective; founder of RevDaveHarvey.com; author of When Sinners Say I Do and I Still Do: Growing Closer and Stronger Through Life's Defining Moment
"There is beauty and often deeply convicting lessons for grownups found in gospel-soaked stories for children. The Good News for Little Hearts series is a shining example of such gospel-centered story telling. With adorable illustrations and true-to-life subject matter, these books will captivate your kids and encourage your own heart."
Shelby Abbott, speaker; campus minister; and author of DoubtLess: Because Faith is Hard
We started enjoying the Good News for Little Hearts series with our daughter, who was almost 3. Three and a half years in, we have no regrets. I have also recommended and gifted these titles to young families. At our first encounter, the warm colourful detailed scenes immediately captivated us and a 3-year-old's attention. What an exquisite juxtaposition of humour and child-like imagination along with all the compelling facial expressions illustrated in the main characters as well as others, like adorable Jolie! The gorgeous setting of Mulberry Meadow is just superbly heartwarming, and at times the author's humorous turn of phrase is delightful. Every story in this series develops and unfolds the struggle of a main character and then resolves in his/her being transformed or sanctified. Let me be sure to highlight the two-page guide for parents after every story. Short and sweet, the Biblical insights packed in those two pages are truly an indispensable complement to each story! Parents often do not have time to read a parenting book, but they can read two pages. They offer not just concise parenting tips, but the Biblical wisdom in there also directly taught me to understand my own specific sin struggle over anger. Along with "Jax's Tail Twitches", this title about Caspian's envy has been instrumental to my own sanctification. For a long time, I struggled with anger outbursts toward my husband and daughter. As I applied the Biblical truths and Scripture taught in these 2-page instructions, my own attitudes have been altered and my perspectives, transformed. I actually experienced a breakthrough - being transformed by the renewal of my mind - and no longer have anger outbursts. It doesn't mean I no longer struggle with speaking a harsh word or having angry thoughts or sinful attitudes, but now I have Biblical principles under my belt to examine my own heart and then repent. Sometimes I still come back to these two-pagers for a refresher.
Wanting the best for others and not ourselves is a hard habit to form, and we need God's help. A remarkable little story using something every child understands; a birthday party.
Wanting the best for others and not ourselves is a hard habit to form, and we need God's help. A remarkable little story using something every child understands; a birthday party.
This book is a great help in talking to children about jealousy. It includes Scripture in the narrative and shows how the main character applies that Scripture in order to change. I just have some minor formatting complaints: the arrangement of some of the text on the pages is unclear in some places which part you’re supposed to read first, and there are no page numbers (but maybe other children’s books don’t have page numbers _____)
This book is a great help in talking to children about jealousy. It includes Scripture in the narrative and shows how the main character applies that Scripture in order to change. I just have some minor formatting complaints: the arrangement of some of the text on the pages is unclear in some places which part you’re supposed to read first, and there are no page numbers (but maybe other children’s books don’t have page numbers _____)
Such a cute book. Great pictures and such a good storyline. I love how this book takes situations that kids might actually encounter and point them to Jesus.
Such a cute book. Great pictures and such a good storyline. I love how this book takes situations that kids might actually encounter and point them to Jesus.
You could not ask for a more direct picture of the Christian life applied in a children’s book than this. I love how Welch presents a real-life faith in a way I would want to present it to children. Realistic situation, realistic feelings, realistic application of the Gospel. His content is helpful, not cheesy!
You could not ask for a more direct picture of the Christian life applied in a children’s book than this. I love how Welch presents a real-life faith in a way I would want to present it to children. Realistic situation, realistic feelings, realistic application of the Gospel. His content is helpful, not cheesy!
This is another winner in the “Good News for Little Hearts” series. What child hasn’t dealt with jealousy? I also appreciate that this story deals with sibling conflict. So often children have the hardest time living out the gospel with their own family. This beautifully illustrated storybook deals with jealousy in an understandable way the points our children to the love of God. I highly recommend this book for your family! Find all my reviews at GoodBookMom.com.
