When Jonah hears God’s divine call to travel abroad but goes his own way, an exciting true adventure unfolds. Get swept up in the story of how Jonah gets into and out of trouble on his disobedient journey, and what providential events follow.
By: Jane Hird
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Jane Hird is a Scotswoman, born in Scotland of Scottish parents. She grew up in London and returned to Scotland at the age of eighteen as a student in Edinburgh, and has lived in Scotland ever since. She lives with her husband in Glasgow, and has three grown-up children, and two grandchildren. She loves Jesus, church membership, sewing, flowers and Scotland, and has been telling stories to children and young people for several decades.
As a children's pastor, I find Jane Hird's retelling of the Jonah story in The Big Rescue disarmingly refreshing. For the most part, it is a straightforward, faithful, child-friendly prose of the familiar passage. Her creative liberty is at the fore in her vivid rendering of the ship's captain as he awakens Jonah. The beautiful colours chosen by illustrator Ruth Weller, powerfully communicate the tenor of each scene. Hird ends her book with some helpful questions, gently prompting thoughts & conversations about God's character and Jonah's actions. I recommend this for a home or church library, or a worthwhile gift!
The Big Rescue brings one of the Bible’s most iconic stories to life for the next generation. It’s action-packed and exciting, with beautiful illustrations that simultaneously make you pause to reflect, and keep turning the page to see what happens next. God’s power and kindness shines through, and while the story is told in its fullness, it cleverly leaves the reader thinking: who is this rescuing God?
An exciting adventure of a journey with drama, excitement, and a struggle with obedience and disobedience. Characteristics of God's nature come through hating wickedness, but also showing compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. Jonah revealed himself to be a man of courage and had the valuable quality of keeping a promise. The illustrations are joyous and deserve praise. This book is well worth a read .
In the beautifully illustrated "The Big Rescue," written by Jane Hird and illustrated by Ruth Weller, the age-old story of Jonah is brought to life in a manner that is both engaging and profoundly meaningful for young readers. The author insightfully retells the biblical narrative, focusing on themes of obedience, prayer, and God's unfailing mercy, making these complex concepts accessible to a younger audience. The writing is exceptional, with a perfect balance of depth and simplicity that captures the essence of the story without losing the attention of its intended audience. The narrative flows seamlessly, guiding readers through Jonah's reluctance, his experiences in the belly of the gigantic fish, and his struggle to understand God's grace and compassion for all. What truly sets this book apart is its illustrations. The illustrations work in perfect complement with the text, allowing children to visualize the story in a way that is both entertaining and educational. "The Big Rescue" is more than just a storybook; it's a tool for teaching important values. Ending with questions, it opens up opportunities for discussions between parents and children about God’s character and obeying him. I wholeheartedly recommend "The Big Rescue" to parents, educators, and anyone looking for a meaningful gift for a child. It's a book that entertains as it educates, leaving a lasting impression on its readers and imparting lessons that extend far beyond its pages.
Love this book! It is a retelling of the story of Jonah which follows the original Bible version very faithfully, but in language that children will relate to. The illustrations are so well done and really bring the story to life. Amazon have put it in the reading age 6 -8 range. It's probably a bit challenging for a 6 year old to read themselves but works very well as a story to read aloud to children from about age 4 onwards. The "talk about" questions at the end are a helpful starting point for those who want explore more the message in the story.
