Little Pilgrim's Progress

Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen L. Taylor

We just finished reading this children's version of the classic John Bunyan allegory, Pilgrim's Progress. Taylor has simplified some of the vocabulary and ideas behind the allegory but still maintains a richness of words and imagination. Little Christian is a boy who takes a journey from his burden [of sin] to ultimate peace and rest the Celestial City with the Prince [Jesus]. He meets a variety of characters along the way, Sloth, Obstinate, Ignorance, servants of the Wicked Prince [Satan] who entice him to leave the Way of the King for an easier journey. But Little Christian also meets other pilgrims along their journey as well, Evangelist, Faithful, Hopeful, Discretion who encourage him to stay on the Way of the King.

My boys LOVED this book - soldiers, danger, battles, armor and ultimate victory. There were mornings when the first request was for reading about Little Christian and begging for "just one more chapter...please!" at bedtime. It has been an awesome avenue for talking our relationships with Jesus or the need for one. Now we sometimes refer back to "...remember when Little Christian faced...?" I cried at the end when Little Christian sees his mother in the Celestial City for the first time. He had been asking exactly when he was going to see his mother throughout the entire story and that moment was so emotional for me! (I think especially about my Grandpa Givens...)

As a note of caution, there are situations in the story where characters are beaten, harassed and one even dies because of what he believes. I used these situations to talk about how Jesus died on the cross when he didn't deserve to. But He did it because He loved us so much, He was willing to die in our place to take our sins from us. The character in the story who dies loved the Prince [Jesus] so much that he was willing to give up his life for him.

I highly recommend this book! I usually would stick with the original, unabridged versions of books, but for my boys, aged 2-5, this was perfect! Even Isaac sat for most of reading time!!! As as added bonus, the story of Christiana, Little Christian's friend from the city of Destruction, is included as part two of this book. We haven't read that one yet, but plan to in the future.