Tyndale: The Big Pig Stampede

This book is written for tweens and especially boys- and that demographic in my home loved it. (and as a teacher/kidmin person grade 3 and 4 boys are the hardest group to reach and motivate, and I concur!) 

I loved that it brings to life in a fictional account what life for other children could have been like at the time of Jesus miracles.  It builds connections for Bible lessons and study, it helps kids visualize the setting and time of Jesus life, and to recognize that people are the same no matter when they lived.   

This book is funny, cute, and charming.  If you are looking for bible verses, study, or a Bible storybook, this is not it.  It is a book that should spur higher level or critical thinking in the readers mind.  It clarifies what historical setting Jesus lived in.  It is funny, proving that everything biblically connected isn't for stoic grown ups or traditional classically written.  But because of that, some grown ups will hate it, and find it irreverent.

As a teacher and parent, especially the reading teacher in me, I love that it helps build comprehension of this period in Jesus life, and my son (a 2nd grader who read it) actually wanted to check the Bible and see if it happened like that.  And for those reasons it is golden!  

It develops connections, clarifications, will help build vocabulary, and critical thinking, keys to making great readers.  Yes the humor involves some potty humor, but that is better than the secular options that motivate boys. So it's an awesome alternative.  

Thank you tyndale for the privilege of reviewing this book.  Sorry for the delay in posting it, we read it last year!