Review: A Story Within a Story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 9, 2014
Max, finished with his homework, asks to watch a movie. Max’s mother recommends Max’s favorite movie Henry Goes to the Big City: A Lesson in Unconditional Love.Henry Rodentson, one of nine children gets bored with work, work, work: chores assigned each day. He longs for something new and different. He remembered stories his dad told about the big city, so while everyone was napping, Henry packs a bag and leaves. When he is scared nearly to death by a cat, Henry returns home to the open arms of his family.When Max says grace at dinner, he expresses his thankfulness for his family and adds that like Henry, he is glad to be home. With allusions to “The Country Mouse and the City Mouse” and “The Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-32), the story of both Henry’s and Max’s family’s unconditional love unfolds. The sub-subtitle indicates there will be more of Max’s adventures to come.The book includes questions for discussion and application, a definition of unconditional love, a memory verse, and a prayer. The authors intend the book as a read-to-me lap book for children aged 0 to 3.The topic, illustrations, the number of words per page, and the length (estimated 36 pages) will make the book appeal more to children aged 4-8. Max is illustrated as an older child. Children younger than four will use memorized prayers rather than the narrative prayer Max uses at the table. My seven- and eight-year-old grandchildren were able to make the story-to-story connections. This e-book could be projected from a computer to use as a “big book” for group story times.There is a link to a bonus audiobook version of the story. The audiobook is not yet available, so it is offered as a bonus. It will be available in MP3 format. If it includes an audible signal for “turning” the page it could be used independently at home or in the early childhood classroom. When one signs up for the bonus, one’s name and email is captured for email marketing.