Gus Loses His Grip: When You Want Something Too Much

Gus, the racoon, loves sweets. He sneaks them up to his bedroom, he thinks about them when Papa is reading about the Easter story, and when his mum takes him to the post-easter sales, he stuffs his pockets with the candy samples from the shop. His dad spots them all coming out of his pockets and he is taken back to apologise to the storeowner, who forgives him. After this though, dad’s eyes light up with the shopping sales himself and he buys many things at the fishing store. Papa realises he, like little Gus, also wants many thing. Together the two of them consider all the good things God has given them: reminding them to “taste and see that the Lord is good”: the singing birds, the lovely breeze, the fish in the stream and tasty strawberries in the field. It’s great to have the parents also acknowledge they struggle with wanting lots of things and have to be careful as well. A great feature of these books is the strong parental figures. They guide their children in the truth, acknowledge their own faults and listen well. They bring their children back to God’s word as they guide and instruct, and are corrected by it themselves. Aimed at children aged 5-10, the story creation is attributed to Jocelyn Flenders, with David Powlison named as editor. Joe Hox had created engaging illustrations bringing the various animals to life. Each book contains extra notes and biblical guidance for parents and there are tear out bible verses for kids to keep in their pocket to remember God’s truths.

Gus, the racoon, loves sweets. He sneaks them up to his bedroom, he thinks about them when Papa is reading about the Easter story, and when his mum takes him to the post-easter sales, he stuffs his pockets with the candy samples from the shop. His dad spots them all coming out of his pockets and he is taken back to apologise to the storeowner, who forgives him. After this though, dad’s eyes light up with the shopping sales himself and he buys many things at the fishing store. Papa realises he, like little Gus, also wants many thing. Together the two of them consider all the good things God has given them: reminding them to “taste and see that the Lord is good”: the singing birds, the lovely breeze, the fish in the stream and tasty strawberries in the field. It’s great to have the parents also acknowledge they struggle with wanting lots of things and have to be careful as well. A great feature of these books is the strong parental figures. They guide their children in the truth, acknowledge their own faults and listen well. They bring their children back to God’s word as they guide and instruct, and are corrected by it themselves. Aimed at children aged 3-8, the story creation is attributed to Jocelyn Flenders, with David Powlison named as editor. Joe Hox had created engaging illustrations bringing the various animals to life. Each book contains extra notes and biblical guidance for parents and there are tear out bible verses for kids to keep in their pocket to remember God’s truths.

One of the things I appreciate most about the children’s books from New Growth Press is the parent guides to further discussions about the topics in the books. The Good News for Little Hearts series teaches three to eight-year-olds about their feelings. In Gus Loses His Grip, Gus becomes greedy about sweets to the point he’s hiding things, lying, and stealing. I liked how Daddy Racoon talks to Gus and acknowledges he could use some work in this area too. Little readers will enjoy the illustrations and meeting more of the woodland creatures from the series. The pace and artwork are comparable to other book series like The Berenstain Bears.

Gus, the racoon, loves sweets. He sneaks them up to his bedroom, he thinks about them when Papa is reading about the Easter story, and when his mum takes him to the post-easter sales, he stuffs his pockets with the candy samples from the shop. His dad spots them all coming out of his pockets and he is taken back to apologise to the storeowner, who forgives him. After this though, dad’s eyes light up with the shopping sales himself and he buys many things at the fishing store. Papa realises he, like little Gus, also wants many thing. Together the two of them consider all the good things God has given them: reminding them to “taste and see that the Lord is good”: the singing birds, the lovely breeze, the fish in the stream and tasty strawberries in the field. It’s great to have the parents also acknowledge they struggle with wanting lots of things and have to be careful as well. A great feature of these books is the strong parental figures. They guide their children in the truth, acknowledge their own faults and listen well. They bring their children back to God’s word as they guide and instruct, and are corrected by it themselves. Aimed at children aged 3-8, the story creation is attributed to Jocelyn Flenders, with David Powlison named as editor. Joe Hox had created engaging illustrations bringing the various animals to life. Each book contains extra notes and biblical guidance for parents and there are tear out bible verses for kids to keep in their pocket to remember God’s truths.

One of the things I appreciate most about the children’s books from New Growth Press is the parent guides to further discussions about the topics in the books. The Good News for Little Hearts series teaches three to eight-year-olds about their feelings. In Gus Loses His Grip, Gus becomes greedy about sweets to the point he’s hiding things, lying, and stealing. I liked how Daddy Racoon talks to Gus and acknowledges he could use some work in this area too. Little readers will enjoy the illustrations and meeting more of the woodland creatures from the series. The pace and artwork are comparable to other book series like The Berenstain Bears.

In this book, Gus the raccoon loves sweets (I can relate), and this leads him to do something wrong. His dad deals with him over this issue. I know, reading this, you feel like you’ve read this scenario over and over. Yet, in these books the issues are fleshed out in a meatier, Christian way (the animals do refer to the Bible as “The Great Book” which was a little odd but really my only quibble). The Christian focus is probably not surprising, as they are put out by the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF).

Now Gus is a going through a sneaky phase. It starts with disobedience, eating candy in his room, which is a no-no. Then it delves into stealing candy at the market. All of this falls around Easter. When Gus confesses to his dad he says he just had to have it (candy). So when he was offered a piece without any supervision he did what the kids next to him did, took more than he was told he could. Gus also confesses to eating candy in bed and hiding the wrappers knowing it was against the rules. But the best part? His dad's response. His dad acknowledged what Gus did was wrong then self-reflected that even he as an adult needs to practice restraint and self-control. Then his dad tells him to return the candy, confess to the shopkeeper and apologize. Parents, a book that deals with disobedience, lying, and theft in a godly manner? Win! Again add it to your home library for when the situation arises. {I received this book from the publisher, New Growth Press, in exchange for my honest review.}

I am so happy to have some choices for my little niece, something in line with our Christian faith, and this little book sure meet the requirements. While my little one is young, she is smart and loves the brightly colored pages, but she is also absorbing the messages offered, and in a delightful way. With a lesson that has our Gus actually coveting sweets to the point of stealing, and reinforced with Dad coveting fishing gear, we are shown forgiveness, and God’s Love reinforced. There are “back pocket” bible verses in the back of the book, they are perforated for easy tear out and carry. A wonderful addition to our book case! I received this book through the Publisher New Growth Press, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Good News for Little Hearts Series has three Fall 2019 releases that I was able to read. They are Gus Loses His Grip: When You Want Something Too Much, Henry Says Good-Bye: When You Are Sad and Tori Comes Out of Her Shell: When You Are Lonely. The Editors are David Powlison, Edward T. Welch and Jayne V. Clark. The texts are easy enough for a second grader to read with a small amount of support, but younger children will enjoy the interesting cute illustrations as well as hearing the story read aloud. There is much to discuss as the books are read. Each story has wonderful messages for children but also for the adults in their lives too. One example is while Gus’ father who could afford all the fishing accessories he bought but did he really need them anymore than Gus needed all the sweets. The Biblical emphasis is strong but my grandchildren and I did not find it to be what one would call “preachy.” It was in line with our church and family beliefs. However, all should be aware these are Christian belief building books. If that is not what they are looking for, don’t buy. For us this is just the kind of books we love.

The Good News for Little Hearts Series has three Fall 2019 releases that I was able to read. They are Gus Loses His Grip: When You Want Something Too Much, Henry Says Good-Bye: When You Are Sad and Tori Comes Out of Her Shell: When You Are Lonely. The Editors are David Powlison, Edward T. Welch and Jayne V. Clark. The texts are easy enough for a second grader to read with a small amount of support, but younger children will enjoy the interesting cute illustrations as well as hearing the story read aloud. There is much to discuss as the books are read. Each story has wonderful messages for children but also for the adults in their lives too. One example is while Gus’ father who could afford all the fishing accessories he bought but did he really need them anymore than Gus needed all the sweets. The Biblical emphasis is strong but my grandchildren and I did not find it to be what one would call “preachy.” It was in line with our church and family beliefs. However, all should be aware these are Christian belief building books. If that is not what they are looking for, don’t buy. For us this is just the kind of books we love.