Patti B. Ogden

As the father of four young girls, I have to pay attention to kid’s books. As a Christian, I look for good Christian literature that is age-appropriate for my children to read. As a blogger, I am privileged to review a variety of books from different Christian publishers.

This book is big and colorful, and very attractive. With an old fisherman, a boat, fish and animals, a young boy, family, church and home pictures, it is sure to grab the attention of many a young inquiring mind. The story contained in the book is good as well.

A young boy wants to know if anyone can see God. He is frequently let down when various adults evade his question. Along the way he has an adventure with his friend the old fisherman. The fisherman finally answers his question and Keoni begins to understand what it is to know God.

Such a story provides ample opportunities for Christian parents to ask (and answer) questions of their children about spiritual matters. Children will certainly identify with the boy and his quest to get a “straight answer” from adults. They too have wondered why we can’t see God physically.

I would guess this book to be appropriate for children from ages 3 through 12, and it really is produced well. The only drawback of the book comes on the last page. There we discover that this book and others were “inspired and written using stories excerpts and actual sentences from the sermons of William Branham”. Who we are later told “received revelation and visions from the Lord Jesus Christ of what actually happened down throughout Bible history.” Branham’s personal stories are told, they believe, “to inspire spiritual growth so that we would personally know the character and loveliness of our savior”.

I can agree with that last line. That purpose and aim is worthy. But setting Mr. Branham up on a pedestal as if he is uniquely inspired by God is troubling to me. I don’t know much about Branham or his teachings, but such undue admiration for and devotion to one man should be cause for strong caution and concern. Because of this unqualified promotion of a man, and implied belief in extrabiblical revelation of “what actually happened” in Biblical history, I cannot unreservedly give my recommendation to this book. I recommend it only with strong reservations.

All in all, its a great book for kids. The theology and message of the book is not at all troubling. I was quite surprised when I read the above sentiments on the last page. Parents can discerningly take advantage of this book, but they would need to be careful not to blindly follow the teachings of Brother Branham however, and use the book with caution.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Capstone Publications for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

An expanded version of this review is available at CrossFocusedReviews.com, where you can find book excerpts, giveaways, promotional offers, audio reviews and more.… (mais)

NCLA Review - Keoni is a young boy who wants to know, can anyone see God? He asks many adults his question, including his pastor and the Sunday school teacher, but he is not satisfied with their answers. When Keoni spends the day fishing with his friend, Old Fisherman, they are caught in a frightening storm. Keoni prays for God’s help. After the storm passes, Old Fisherman has an answer for Keoni’s question that fills his heart with joy. The story, based on a sermon by William Branham, is thought provoking, and has the timeless quality of a folktale. Muted color illustrations compliment the gentle narrative. Best suited for advanced young readers; less developed readers may be put off by challenging vocabulary and large amounts of text on each page. Keoni’s Big Question would be a good read-aloud for children aged 6-9. Rating: 3 —KET 32p, hardcover, Capstone 2008, 9780981678368, $12.00 [E]… (mais)

Perfect for : Great for reading with your child, Sunday School

In a nutshell: This is a wonderful book for children of all ages. Patti Ogden has done a beautiful job of explaining how we see God in everything around us. It is sometimes hard to take things blindly by faith, and here, she gives us a story that shows us that God is in the people we know, in the stars and the moon, and in the things around us. Join Keoni on his fishing trip with the kind man next door, who helps him learn the answer to his question, "Can anyone see God?"

Extended Review:
Characters: Both Keoni and the Old Fisherman from next door are very sweet and lovable.

Illustrations: The illustrations are wonderful, showing beautiful details from nature, and lending wonderful characteristics to the characters in the story. My son especially loved the pages with animals on them (ducks, fish). He also loves the Old Fisherman with the beard.

Story-Line: The story follows Keoni as he searches for an answer to his question, "Can anyone see God?"

Readability: Easy to read. There were one or two pages that didn't have spaces between the paragraphs, but that was the only thing that distracted me while reading my son the story.

Overall: A beautifully written and illustrated book that will help children understand that even though we don't see God directly, he is all around us in the things we see and the people we meet.… (mais)

In Keoni’s Big Question debut children’s author Patti B. Ogden tackles one of the weighty spiritual questions that young children often struggle with, “Can anyone see God?” Whether phrased in this way, or in a plethora of other questions and statements; young children often wonder about the lack of God’s physical, touchable body here with us. This lack of a physical presence can be disconcerting, and at times faith-rattling for young ones but Keoni is determined to find an answer.

Asking his question of parents, pastor and Sunday school teacher, Keoni is not satisfied until a conversation with an elderly fisherman friend points to the proof of God’s existence in God’s masterwork - His creation. The revelation of this truth occurs on a peaceful fishing trip; surrounded by the majesty of nature Keoni is instantaneously reassured and rejoices in his newfound surety.

Patti Ogden is an experienced Sunday school teacher who has been effectively conveying spiritual lessons on a level that children resonate with. In Keoni’s Big Question she draws from the sermons of early 20th century evangelist and faith healer William M. Branham to illustrate the universal search for truth and meaning. Being unfamiliar with Branham’s ministry I did some rapid internet research and discovered some major doctrinal differences between his teachings and our family’s beliefs. That being said, the insights and answers provided in this title hold true to biblical statements concerning the evidence of God found throughout creation and His people, and should be acceptable within all major denominational bents.

Keoni’s Big Question is the first in Ogden’s new MessageKids series of faith-based picture books for children. Two more strikingly illustrated additions - Shamgar and the Ox Goad and Momma, Am I Pretty? - are on the drawing board and slated for release later this year. Based upon the first installment the series has great promise, filled with relevant and necessary spiritual lessons and fulfilling illustrations.

Mary Manning provides charming watercolour paintings featuring memorable visual characters. The old fisherman’s hooked nose, flowing white beard and traditional fishing gear mark him as slightly odd yet comforting. Keoni is nearly Astro-boyesque with his clean delineated lines and sharply pointed cow-licks, adorable. With the fishing trip rendered largely in soft, natural shades of green and brown there is enough scene shifting through Keoni’s recollections, revelation and trip home to avoid a sense of unending repetition.

My oldest daughter, now five, shares Keoni’s question - though she states it differently. Life in a physical world so often leads us to look for physical answers, and thankfully God has provided them, though not always in the way we expect. This is a title that I will be re-reading with my children to reassure them of God’s existence and to remind them of the ways He makes himself known to us.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com… (mais)