This colorful, beautifully illustrated children’s book invites children ages three through eight into Caspian Squirrel’s world to learn alongside him how to bring his jealousy to Jesus.
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.
Parents and children will learn concrete, grace-based ways to deal with jealousy. Edited by Edward T. Welch, Caspian Crashes the Party ends with a special section that guides parents in teaching their children to respond with faith when jealousy takes hold in their hearts.
Caspian Crashes the Party is part of the Good News for Little Hearts series, bringing gospel help 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 in the midst of challenging circumstances. Each individual story guides parents toward meaningful conversations with their kids, based on what Scripture has to say about living by faith in everyday life.
By providing biblical help and hope to issues every child faces through vivid illustrations and a story based on a different animal family, even the youngest child will be engaged. Each story offers practical ways to follow Jesus in difficult situations. Instead of a moralistic message, young readers are encouraged to develop a real relationship with the God who cares for them.
Caspian Crashes the Party, along with all of the Good News for Little Hearts books, will become a lifelong gift for parents and children, as well as teachers, biblical counselors, and anyone hoping to provide concrete, grace-based help for young children. Caspian Crashes the Party is illustrated by Joe Hox and edited by Edward T. Welch.
AUTHOR
Edward T. Welch, MDiv, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He earned a PhD in counseling (neuropsychology) from the University of Utah and has a master's of divinity from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed has been counseling for nearly forty years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions. His biblical counseling books include Shame Interrupted; When People Are Big and God Is Small; Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave, Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness, Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction, Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest, When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety, Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love, A Small Book about a Big Problem: Meditations on Anger, Patience, and Peace, and A Small Book for the Anxious Heart: Meditations on Fear, Worry, and Trust.
ILLUSTRATOR
Joe Hox was raised on a farm in southern Iowa where he doodled whenever he wasn't spading thistles or feeding pigs. Everyone knew by his crooked hay rows that he would choose art over farming. Joe earned his BA in Art and Education from Dordt College and his MA from the University of Nebraska. Today he lives with his wife and four children in Pella, Iowa, where he illustrates and teaches art. Joe has illustrated all of the Good News for Little Hearts series.
"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
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CCEF
Edward T. Welch
CCEF
David Powlison
Edward T. Welch
Paul David Tripp
Edward T. Welch
Lauren Whitman
David Powlison
Jayne V. Clark
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.
In this relatable book, children learn all about jealousy and the destruction it can cause using the idea of being jealous of a birthday party. Caspian learns how to deal with his jealousy and how to make up with people he has hurt. This is going to be helpful to every child (and adult!) as we all feel jealous at some time or another.
As with the previous books in the series, these three each focus on some type of struggle or difficulty that is common and relevant to children (and adults alike!) This book addresses the common emotion of jealousy. The story is engaging and describes real-life situations that a child might face. So real-life, that I had a hard time not saying to my unnamed daughter while reading, "remember when you acted like this at Cian's birthday party?" I appreciate how gentle the parents in the story interact with the character and help point him to Jesus even while dealing with his wrong actions and attitudes. The scripture used in the book is Psalm 63:3; teaching that having the love of Jesus is better than anything. There is no reason to be jealous. The book concludes with more tips and scripture for parents to use when trying to help their own child deal with jealousy. I highly recommend each of the books in this series and believe they can be a big help to parents to open up discussions with their children about issues we all face. The stories are engaging and the illustrations fun and delightful. I love all of the scripture that is used, and that the characters are always pointed to Jesus as the ultimate help through any trial. I was selected by the publisher to receive an e-book of the title and to share an honest review.
I have read all the previous books in this Good News for Little Hearts series and have loved every single one of them. This one, once again, meets my expectations and standards for the series. The book utilizes the following scripture throughout the story: Psalm 63:3 “Your love is better than life.” The story follows Caspian as he learns the truth of this Psalm in a very difficult but real-life situation. What I love about the story is that it’s realistic. There are many children that can easily relate to Caspian’s struggle with jealousy. I also love that Welch creates a story that makes emotions and struggles real and valid, but teaches healthy ways for children to handle those emotions and struggles. The concept of forgiveness is also intertwined within the story. The story is concluded with a section for parents to help dive deeper into the struggle of jealousy. It provides eight practical ways to assist your child: - Jealousy is part of the anger family - Jealousy is dangerous - Jealousy has been around from the beginning of history - Start with more stories - Consider what jealousy says about our hearts - Speak to Jesus about your jealousy - Listen to Jesus - Learn to be content The illustrations throughout the book are absolutely beautiful and engaging. The details are spectacular and really capture the heart of the story. You will find so many little hidden gems in each picture that creates a fun, engaging game! I received an e-copy of this book from New Growth Press in exchange for an honest review.