Imaginative collection of short stories for children 7 years+
The whimsical and imaginative short stories in this adventurous book will transport children to a different world, giving them a fresh way to engage with truths about Jesus and what it's like to follow him.
They’ll join Lily and her friend the Lemur on a series of adventures in the Lamb King's mysterious and exciting playground. They'll explore a me-tree, play Scrabble with a slow loris, and save an entire family of squirrels from the cold!
Along the way, children will find themselves exploring key truths about Jesus' kingdom—such as how to be welcoming, what gives people value, and why a self-sacrificing king is the best king of all.
Perfect as an independent read for children aged 7+ or as a read-aloud for ages 5+.
The Story behind the Stories
Age range: | 7+ |
---|---|
Contributors | Bob Hartman, Keila Elm |
ISBN | 9781802541359 |
Format | Paperback |
First published | January 2025 |
Dimensions | 5.1" x 7.8" x 0.6" |
Weight | 6.31 oz |
Language | English |
Pages | 144 |
Publisher | The Good Book Company |
In Lily, the Lemur and the Lamb King: The Me Tree and Other Adventures, Bob Hartman offers whimsical stories featuring endearing characters whose escapades sneak past our defenses, capture our imagination, and lead us to delight in the Lord. With delicious surprise, I realized I was worshiping as I was reading. In a sense, these engaging stories grab children (and adults) by the hand, and say with excitement, ‘Come with me, and I’ll show you something wonderful!’ I highly commend this lighthearted yet gloriously rich collection of stories to you and your family. You’ll love it!
Bob Hartman has done it again. The adventures of Lily, the Lemur and the Lamb King will delight both children and parents in their creative reimagining of stories from the Gospels. Bob is a great storyteller, but the beauty of this book is that it will introduce children to the greatest Storyteller of them all—Jesus.
Another fantastic Bob Hartman book! Lily, the Lemur and the Lamb King is a storybook full of joy. It’s cleverly knitted together with kingdom principles and biblical themes, along with a healthy dose of comedy and playfulness. This is the perfect way to share the gospel and to start conversations about Jesus. Highly recommended!
Lily and her friend the Lemur want to do “something interesting. But also something safe.” That’s when they meet the Lamb King. This fun and unlikely trio embark on twelve adventures that ultimately point to Christ. Each chapter is inspired by something Jesus said or did. These whimsical tales shine a light on gospel truths in a way that is understandable for the whole family. Adults will enjoy the simplification (without the loss of its meaning) on hard truths like death, anxiety, forgiveness, regret, pride, and selfishness to name a few. These topics are difficult for all ages to comprehend, and these stories can help. I kept thinking about Jesus’s use of parables so that His followers could understand the secrets of the Kingdom; Hartman uses these retellings to do the exact same thing.
My daughter and I adored this original and creative collection of stories filled with adorable illustrations! Included at the end of the book are the Bible stories that inspired Lily, the Lemur, and the Lamb King’s adventure in a very strange playground.
*I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
I LOVE Bob Hartman's writing, because I think he is very clever in teaching some fantastic truths about God while also creating some amazing stories! He has a real gift of creating a world that we are immersed in, a bit like Narnia. This particular book is really lovely, with some stunning illustrations, and helps us to see Jesus through the character of the lamb, and the final pages of the book tell us how Bob has incorporated a story from Jesus' life into each of his own short stories, with accompanying Bible verses. This would be a great book for helping children to learn to read with some Jesus-centred stories, or for a parent to read to their child before bed. Would definitely recommend it!
THOUGHTS: Wow, this book surprised me in a very unexpected way! Not only did these twelve stories teach my girls Gospel truths through creative storytelling and engaging illustrations, but they ministered to my own adult-heart, as well.
I also appreciated how the author provided at the back of the book the Biblical stories and Scripture references that inspired each chapter, thus allowing for a more thoughtful and in-depth discussion on the themes presented in each story.
Overall, we enjoyed this one! My girls were highly engaged and eager for me to keep reading. With that said, it is quite whimsical, and so I recommend pre-reading it or reading the sample chapter on the publisher’s site to ensure it is a good fit for your family.
WHO IS IT FOR: Recommended as an independent read for children ages 7+ or as a read-aloud for ages 5+.
CONTENT TO CONSIDER: Grief/Loss of a grandparent
Thank you, @thegoodbookcompanyusa, for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Reading Lily, The Lemur and the Lamb King with my daughter was such a sweet experience. Bob Hartman has a gift for bringing Gospel truths to life in a way that is both engaging and meaningful for young hearts. Through Lily’s adventures and her encounters with the Lamb King, these stories gently teach lessons of faith, kindness, and humility—all wrapped in fun and beautifully written storytelling.
My daughter was drawn in by the playful characters and Keila Elm’s whimsical illustrations, which made each story feel even more alive. The way Hartman reimagines stories from the Gospel makes them feel fresh and accessible, sparking great conversations about Jesus’ love and what it means to follow Him.
This book is a perfect read-aloud for families who want to fill their home with faith-filled stories. It’s one we’ll be coming back to often, snuggled up together, letting these truths sink deep into our hearts.
Lily, the Lemur, and the Lamb King is an absolute gem! Bob Hartman has crafted a beautifully imaginative adventure that weaves deep biblical truths into whimsical storytelling. My seven-year-old is going to love diving into this on our upcoming 20+ hour road trip! The short, engaging chapters are perfect for young readers, and I love how the book makes complex faith concepts easy to understand through fun and memorable adventures. It’s rare to find a book that combines creativity, humor, and meaningful lessons so seamlessly. Highly recommend for families looking for a faith-filled, engaging read!
This is the kind of book that keeps little ones entertained while weaving in deep gospel truths. Bob Hartman has a gift for storytelling, and these short, imaginative tales bring out big lessons about Jesus in a way that sticks. Perfect for reading aloud and sparking good conversations about what it means to follow Christ.
Another wonderful book for upper elementary kids to learn more about the Gospel through fun, imaginative, and delightful storytelling.
The book is structured with twelve chapters, each of which covers a Gospel adventure. Each chapter is engaging and captivating as you follow Lily and her Lemur friend learn much from The Lamb King. Each chapter touches on moral issues that every child deals with in real life such as selfishness, fear, worry, grief.
Each character is special and unique in their personality. The illustrations are whimsical and quirky!
Each chapter is richly soaked in Gospel truths. Hartman concludes the book with section that summarizes each chapter with its inspired Scripture reference. I appreciate this being included as it allows parents to engage in thoughtful, intentional conversation with their child after reading each chapter.
We are excited for the next books in the series!
I received a copy of this book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to The Good Book Company for the gift of this book and the opportunity to read it and give my honest thoughts. I regularly enjoyed books from this company and I am so thankful for the literary work they do!
I thought the illustrations in this book were tremendously adorable and I admired the goal to teach lessons and spiritual concepts through story form. But I personally found this book very hard to read and confusing, even as an adult. The stories were a bit *too* whimsical and flippant for my preferences and the way I seek to teach my children truths of the Kingdom.
✨Book Feature✨
Lily, the Lemur, and the Lamb King: The Me Tree and Other Adventures By Bob Hartman, illustrated by Keila Elm
✨About the Book…
Genre: Childrens gospel stories (reimagined in a fantastical way)
Themes: Welcome, Self-sacrifice, Sanctity of Life, Humanity, Jesus’ Kingdom
Ages: for children 7 years+ for independent reading, or 5+ for read aloud
Release Date: February 1st
“The whimsical and imaginative short stories in this adventurous book will transport children to a different world, giving them a fresh way to engage with truths about Jesus and what it’s like to follow him.”
💫 This book might be for you if…
You’re looking for a fun and creative reimagining of stories from the gospel that are whimsical, endearing and rich. If you’ve got a little dreamer in your family, they will love this book!
✨Inspiration…
The 12 stories in this book are inspired by Jesus! The back of the book provides a helpful insight into each of the stories with a summary of how your children can find Jesus in each in those stories; the Lamb King reflects the goodness, truth and beauty found in Christ. It includes scripture and an encouragement!
✍️ If you’ve could have any animal friend, what would it be? You’ll find my answer in the comments!
Thanks for @thegoodbookau for this gifted copy! I’m so grateful 🎁