- a mother tells simple allegorical tales which positively impact the children
- her main character battles and ultimately conquers giants which represent different sins
- convo: some name calling; children quarrel and treat each other wrongly, including a couple punches between boys
- language: stupid x5
Type: chapter book
Ages: 7+
Author: Charlotte Maria Tucker
What a dear little book! I loved Mrs. Roby and how she patiently led the children through her stories. Her main character was a giant killer, and he had to make it through various trials to be able to conquer them. The giants represented:
- Sloth
- Selfishness
- Untruth
- Hate/Anger
- Pride
One of the naughtiest boys has a beautiful and realistic transformation. Other children realize they aren’t quite as sinless as they had imagined themselves to be and found ways to improve. Mrs. Roby makes sure they understand that each is in the position of the allegory’s hero. “The foes which he had to conquer you also must fight; you have the same aid to encourage you, the same motives to rouse. The same giant may not be equally formidable to you all, but everyone has some enemy with whom he must struggle, in a strength that is given to him, armour not his own.“
Truly, we adults could learn from her mature example. One more quote from her:
“I think that, young as they are, my children have already had some experience of the power and peril of a strong will which is under the command of Pride. To submit that will in all things to the Lord, is the highest exercise of Christian faith and love; and as we are unable of ourselves to change our proud and stubborn wills, trials and afflictions are often sent to soften our hearts, and purify our affections.”
Generations has produced a top-notch recording of this book. It might be one of their best readers ever–see this page where I track all of that. My family also owns their physical copy, which is of beautiful quality.
If you’re looking for a clean adventure story that also positively forms your children’s characters, definitely add this to your read-aloud list!