- illustrated abridgment of John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”
- deeply allegorical with much to offer for discussion and private pondering
- some illustrations are quite scary
- convo: wine mentioned, violent scenes, cleavage showing at a distance in one picture
- language: x1 ass (donkey), x1 molest (bother), x1 damnable
Type: illustrated chapter book
Ages: 9+
Author (Original): John Bunyan
Author (for this arrangement): Oliver Hunkin
Illustrator: Alan Parry
If you’re not familiar with the original, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” it is about a man who goes on a journey toward heaven. God has called him, bringing to life his heart of stone. He sends the man helpers along the way, but there are also hindrances, perils, evil enemies and other distractions from the laid-out path. The man must resist temptation, earnestly trust the Lord, and sometimes do battle.
The entire story is an allegory of the Christian life. Even children can have the basic messages impressed upon them, which is why I love this version so much. But, beyond that, it sends a powerful message to adult reader as well.
I do recommend giving a glance at the illustrations before letting your kids read it (or, better yet, reading it with them). It could really bother some of the younger kiddos. However, if you’ve kept your home library pretty clean of scary books, there’s little harm in letting them associate scary with evil!
This is certainly one to be read over and over! Have you read Pilgrim’s Progress or any abridged version?