For young readers and families, Don't Blame the Mud gives a vivid way of helping children see where wrong choices come from and how to turn to Jesus for change from the inside out. Written by best-selling children's author Marty Machowski, this beautifully illustrated picture book teaches children how to recognize the lure of temptation and the truth that bad choices lead to bad consequences.
One day, Max takes the muddy path along the creek home, disregarding his mother's reminder to keep his school clothes clean. After crashing into a mud puddle, he tries to hide his mistake and discovers the stain of his sin goes deeper than the mud he can wash away. In this lovable, relatable, and heartwarming tale, Max learns his heart needs to be cleaned, and Jesus is the only one who can wash away his sin.
By clearly articulating the gospel, Don't Blame the Mud helps parents create an environment of confession so kids can own up to their own mistakes—in the freedom of Christ—rather than place the blame elsewhere. Parents, teachers, and caretakers can help children identify with the real-life draw of temptation and the real-life consequences of sin, understanding the value of God's salvation through the cross. Instead of teaching kids how to deal with a problem, Machowski uncovers the real issue of sin and provides a gospel answer.
"What a gift to a child, to be taught from a young age that there is a remedy for guilt. Marty Machowski's Don't Blame the Mud provides kids with a vivid picture of the nature of sin and gives parents the tools to talk about it in an understandable way."
Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher; author of Praying Through the Bible for Your Kids
"Max got filthy. But not just from the forbidden mud. In this story, Marty Machowski helps every reader three and older understand what makes us most dirty and how God has provided the most wonderful way for us to become clean. You'll find it a very helpful parable of 1 John 1:9."
Jon Bloom, Cofounder of Desiring God; author of Don't Follow Your Heart and other books.
"Don't Blame the Mud contains a simple and clear presentation of sin, its consequences, and the forgiveness we find in the gospel. As a grandfather of more than a dozen grandchildren, I look forward to reading this book to them with the confidence that God can use it to open their hearts to the good news of salvation found in King Jesus."
Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"I love Marty Machowski's biblically-rich, gospel-centered resources for children. I've benefited from them as a parent and pastor and highly recommend Don't Blame the Mud. Marty offers a heartwarming tale that will resonate with every child and generate discussion about temptation, confession, and the gospel. Here is an excellent book to help children grasp the seriousness of sin and equip you to present the gospel in a faithful and compelling way."
Dr. Josh Mulvihill, Executive Director of Church and Family Ministry, Renewanation
"In a day when easy believism is rampant, it is refreshing to find a children's book that is so careful about sin, repentance, and the conversion of a child. We witness a boy caught in his sin, repenting and trusting in Christ, and we see God opening his eyes to the truth. Thank you, Marty, for yet again another helpful book!"
Deepak Reju, Pastor of biblical counseling and family ministry, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC; author of On Guard and She's Got the Wrong Guy
The concept behind the analogy is great! The book addresses a very key concept in dealing with our sin and sinful desires: someone/something else "made" me do it. It brings the issue of personal responsibility home to both child and adult. Of course the metaphors of dirty and clean are used throughout the Bible, so the inspiration and concepts have a very real biblical base, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the analogy. The end material includes helpful ideas for sharing Christ with your child. That said, these notes should be modified to the educational and emotional needs of the child and the parent/youth leader's relationship with him/her as kids know when you are speaking real, from the heart, and reciting someone else's script.
It's not my fault, I thought. I was doing fine till I slipped and fell. My clothes were all clean till the mud splashed on me. It's all the mud's fault, that's easy to see. A little boy learns a lesson on obedience and what it means in simple terms. How we blame others for our bad choices (sin) and how we are redeemed when we take responsibility for our bad choices (sin). It is a great lesson on how we think we know better than those in authority. Mom/dad vs kids. It is the same with God. This is a great lesson in teaching our children. How our desires cause us to make bad choices that lead to sin. If as a parent you are serious about sin and teaching sin to your children, I highly recommend this as way to teach good doctrine.
This book is a great way to explain the gospel to children. It does a good job of showing the dirt on the outside and relating that to guilt in the inside. There is an excellent couple of pages at the end of the book to help parents explain sin and the gospel to their children. The only aspect of the book I felt was less than perfect was the small print. It is not always so easy to hold a book so children can see the illustrations while reading the text. I can see Sunday School teachers using this book in such a way. Larger print would have been better for a broader use. I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Author Marty Machowski once again gives parents a great tool for helping their kids understand sin, forgiveness, salvation and restoration with his new children's book, "Don't Blame the Mud." After main character Max ends up in the mud when his mom told him to stay clean, he has to deal with the consequences of his choices. Max's parents lovingly, yet firmly, help him understand sin, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. Machowski's goal is for parents to use the book as a jumping off point for conversations with their kids, even offering parents tips for the conversations and questions to stimulate conversations with their kids.
Author Marty Machowski once again gives parents a great tool for helping their kids understand sin, forgiveness, salvation and restoration with his new children's book, "Don't Blame the Mud." After main character Max ends up in the mud when his mom told him to stay clean, he has to deal with the consequences of his choices. Max's parents lovingly, yet firmly, help him understand sin, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. Machowski's goal is for parents to use the book as a jumping off point for conversations with their kids, even offering parents tips for the conversations and questions to stimulate conversations with their kids. This book is a winner, especially for parents, grandparents, children's workers, and other caregivers who want to talk to their kids about salvation but may not be sure where to start. Machowski offers a biblical, trustworthy resource that helps parents grow in their own abilities to teach and train their kids as they tackle a topic of eternal significance. F.or me, the only negative with "Don't Blame the Mud" was the illustrations. They weren't my style and didn't beckon to me to pick up the book. Still, the content is so great that this book is worth looking past the lackluster illustrations.
