Papa's Pastries is a touching story about the value of kindness. Written by Charles Toscano, and illustrated by Sonja Lamut, it is sure to leave an impression in children's hearts.
In the story, Miguel awoke to the sound of rain leaking onto the dirt floor of their hut. He was cold because his clothes were thin. He hoped that his Papa could sell some of his homemade pastries to the surrounding villages because his family needed firewood, a new roof, and some warm clothes.
Papa prayed before packing his pastries to sell to the villages. He prayed that God would help him to sell pastries so that he would have the money to provide for his struggling family.
Not only did Miguel's papa make delicious pastries, but he could sing as well! He cheered the villages with his song as they danced and cheered. Miguel was sure that they would sell a lot of pastries with the response they were getting to Papa's singing. But he was wrong. The villagers were sorry to tell Papa that as much as they wished they could buy his pastries, they simply could not afford to. Papa's heart was touched by the neediness of one of the villagers and gave some pastries away to him.
The same scenario occurred in the remaining villages. Again Papa had compassion and showed kindness to those in need. At the end of the day they hadn't sold any pastries, and they didn't know what they would do for money. Papa said:
"Kindness is more valuable than money. The more you give away, the more you will receive."
The next morning, Miguel awoke, not to the sound of his leaky roof, but to hammering above! The man that Papa had shared with, was a carpenter, and was repaying Papa's kindness by fixing his roof. Another villager that had received Papa's kindness was a woodcutter, and chopped wood for them in gratitude. The last recipient of Papa's pastries was a seamstress who made clothes for all them in thanks.
Miguel then knew that Papa had been right. He bowed his head and thanked God for His goodness, and for the kindness of his papa.
What I Like: I love this book! It is written so simply and sweetly, but with solid truths.
What I Dislike: There is nothing I dislike.
Overall Rating: Excellent
Age Appeal: 4-8
Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2010; ISBN:0310716020 ; Hardcover $15.99.
Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $11.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.59
2 comments:
Beverly, we like this book a lot, too. It's different, sweet, and helps open my childrens' eyes about what a privileged life we lead in the U.S.
Yes, I agree!
Post a Comment