The Very Best Day

n 2018, the Episcopal Church invited its people to practice the Way of Love. Reminiscent of one of the names which referred to the first century Church (the Way), the Way of Love is a way of life, a commitment to follow Jesus by using seven principles: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest. These principles are a simple but all-encompassing guide not just for Episcopalians but for all Christians, of all ages.

The Very Best Day: The Way of Love for Children, recently published by Church Publishing,  is a beautiful book which will help children follow the Way of Love. Author Roger Hutchison, an artist, author, and Christian educator in the Episcopal Church, provided both the text and illustrations. He goes through each of the seven principles, telling the story from a child’s viewpoint, using activities children will relate to such as picking flowers, learning new things, feeling happy or feeling sad. For each principle, there is a related question to ponder.

The words are lovely but it is the artwork which really elevates the book. It is vibrant, colorful, and bold and will surely hold an adult’s attention as much as a child’s.

The book would make a nice gift for children in any church, not just the Episcopal Church. There is a presentation page at the beginning of the book and a foreword by Jerusalem Jackson Greer, Staff Office for Evangelism for the Episcopal Church, who was also one of a group of formation leaders who created the set of spiritual practices for the Way of Love.

Hutchison has also written Jesus: God Among Us, Under the Fig Tree, The Painting Table, and My Favorite Color Is Blue. Sometimes. If you’d like to learn more about Hutchison and the creation of My Favorite Color Is Blue. Sometimes you can click here to view the recording of a webinar he led for us.

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