Book Thoughts: Tori Comes Out of Her Shell (Flenders)

• relatable story for children to biblically overcome worry & loneliness
• depiction of church services includes all ages 💛
• Joe Hox art is always clever!
• gospel could be better presented*
• tear-out Bible verse cards in back

Type: picture book
Ages: 4-8
Story Creator: Jocelyn Flenders
Editor: Jayne V. Clark
Illustrator: Joe Hox

*As long as your children understand the full gospel, your discussions for this book will go well. There are messages such as “if you ask him for forgiveness, he becomes your friend forever,” but the book never actually touches on sin (except in the fine print for parental discussion in the back), so that can be confusing. Same for the line “The preacher told us that God sent his Son Jesus to this earth to make sure that we are never alone.” Hmm…

But, overall, the book is sweet, and we are thankful for the story.