A Wonderful Surprise helps children learn that Jesus is the King of everyone and everything and helps them memorize Luke 19:38: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds shouted, “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is the King!” Just a few days after they had yelled, “Hosanna!” the people shouted, “Crucify him!” On the third day after Jesus died, everyone received a big surprise—Jesus was alive!
In A Wonderful Surprise, Sally Michael helps parents to instruct the mind and engage the heart of their children as they learn Scripture. Each page shows pictures and asks questions to engage them in understanding the verse. Repetition of the verse throughout the book helps children memorize the Bible verse after just a few readings. Also included are pointers for helping children memorize and suggestions for activities that will reinforce “Living by the Word.”
"These delightful little books are just the kind you'll want to have on hand for your children or grandchildren. They will teach the children you love to know, honor, and trust our great God."
Tim Challies, Author of Seasons of Sorrow
"As important as it is to help our young children memorize key Scripture verses, it also makes a big difference if they are led to think deeply and clearly about what those verses mean! This new series of short and attractive books, Bible Verses to Remember, helps parents and Christian workers accomplish both goals. They focus on verses that express truths central to our Christian faith and the questions and narrative show what these verses mean and how important they are to our lives. What a gift to our children!"
Bruce A. Ware, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
"Little minds grab on to memorized facts like glue! When life pounds away at the door of your child's mind, this series will help them memorize Scripture to remind them of God's love and care for years to come."
Barbara Reaoch, Author of A Jesus Christmas and A Jesus Easter
"Beautifully illustrated children's book telling the story of King Jesus from Palm Sunday through the Resurrection and looking forward to his second coming. Biblical truth conveyed simply so that even young children can understand. The repetition encourages Scripture memory, and the tips for parents are very helpful."
Mary Delk, Grandparent; former Minister for Women at Bethlehem Baptist Church
A Wonderful Surprise shares the story of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection in a straightforward and simple way that children can fully understand. I love how this picture book reveals the wonderment of Easter and what that means to each of use individually. The narrative uses repetition in a fun way to help young readers memorize Scripture and to enhance the excitement and awe in a loving and living Savior. And the delightful illustrations beautifully capture the varying emotions of the events that unfold leading to Jesus’s ascension into Heaven. Pages in the back of the book provide tips on memorizing verses, additional resources, and an inspiring note to parents. This sweet book makes a fun and meaningful addition to a little one’s Easter basket! #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own.
What a lovely book showing the true meaning of Easter in language young children can understand! I highly recommend it!
This is probably my new Easter favorite. The illustrations are stunning. The pictures alone are entirely captivating. But I LOVE the emphasis on Scripture memorization in context. It teaches what the featured Scripture means in the midst of telling the Easter story. I also really appreciate how Michael doesn’t shy from the harder parts of the story. The people are shouting praise one day and cursing soon after and I think giving kids the full scope of Scripture in a healthy way is very important. Definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is probably my new Easter favorite. The illustrations are stunning. The pictures alone are entirely captivating. But I LOVE the emphasis on Scripture memorization in context. It teaches what the featured Scripture means in the midst of telling the Easter story. I also really appreciate how Michael doesn’t shy from the harder parts of the story. The people are shouting praise one day and cursing soon after and I think giving kids the full scope of Scripture in a healthy way is very important. Definitely __________
This sweet book helps kids to memorize Luke 19:38a "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" I love when books help us and our children to dwell on the Bible. This book features super colorful illustrations that will keep your kids engaged. The verse is first introduced by telling readers about the triumphal entry. Then focus shifts to the crucifixion and how people questioned if Jesus really was the king who was sent by God. The verse is repeated on almost every page, in the context of the story so that children become very familiar with it. On the third day when Jesus' friends went to the tomb, there was a big surprise, his tomb was empty and they ran to tell others the news! The ascension is also covered and then the story talks about how Jesus will return someday and once again we will cheer, "Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" At the end of the book, there are a few pages with questions, a prayer, tips for helping young children memorize scripture and a note to parents. I love how this series capitalizes on how kids love for books to be read to them on repeat. Why wouldn't we want to incorporate Bible verses into that for our kids to memorize?! What an effortless way to memorize God's words with your kids!
As the fourth book in the “Bible Verses To Remember” series, this one highlights the Easter story with Luke 19:38a as the focus verse. The non-rhyming text, recounts the story of Easter beginning with Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem. It then moves through his death, resurrection, his appearances to the disciples, etc. repeating the verse from Luke throughout. It concludes with a reminder that we are also awaiting a surprise when Jesus will once again come back and we can all shout together “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Each book in this series ends with tips on helping your child memorize Scripture and a parent’s note. *I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The bright illustrations are inviting with splashes of whimsy sprinkled throughout. The text is engaging and rich, pointing to Christ's life, death, and resurrection. "But Jesus is stronger than rocks and soldiers. And Jesus is stronger than sin and death. Nothing can stop King Jesus!" "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" Luke 19:37a This book is a great resource to facilitate memorization of Scripture. The text is repetitive and engaging and the illustrations spark interest. If you have young children (or grands), this would be a great book to read together as y'all memorize Scripture this Easter. Great for ages 3-7.
