I love the children’s book The Day When God Made Church which tells the story of Pentecost, so when a review copy of another book by author Rebekah McLeod Hutto came across my desk, I read it with interest. It did not disappoint. The book is Paul and His Friends: A Child’s First Book About the Apostles and will help children learn about the Apostle Paul and the people he interacts with in the early church.

The text is simple but includes the high points of Paul’s life and relationships, told from his perspective. Paul’s focus and mission is stated in two brief sentences: “I was a friend of Jesus and one of the Apostles. I helped people all over the world learn about Jesus’s love.” The emphasis in the book is on love and friendship and how Paul’s friends, starting with Ananias and continuing with Barnabus, Silas, Lydia, and others, help him to share stories of Jesus with others.

Jacob Popčak’s illustrations are colorful and cheerful. The characters in the book are pictured as animals, something which is not unusual in children’s books considering their affinity with animals. But here the portrayal of Paul and his friends as animals has a deeper meaning. At the back of the book there is a section explaining that “Paul and his friends were real people, but in this book, they are re-imagined as animals from the real Paul’s part of the world.” Paul is depicted as a honey badger because “although they look cuddly, they are also known for their toughness, just like Paul.” Silas is pictured as a hyena (whose bark sounds like laughter) because he was joyful even when he was imprisoned.

Paul’s past as a persecutor of the church is not ignored. Paul talks about how he hasn’t always been a good friends to others. He tells the story of Stephen who was killed by people who listened to the mean things Paul said before he knew Jesus, and then he adds “Sometimes friends make mistakes, and we all need God’s help to make better choices.” The text ends with a reminder to children that God is always with them, loves them, and forgives them; “Jesus will always be your friend.”

This book can be read at home with family and would also be an excellent addition to a church library or Sunday school collection. Its message that friends love and help each other is a good one and the message is expanded by letting children know that Jesus tells us to love our enemies as well as our friends. As the book states: “All love comes from God. When we love others, even our enemies, we teach others about God’s love.”

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.