The King's Christmas List

The children’s book “The King’s Christmas List” by Eldon Johnson, illustrated by Bonnie Leick is a book based on the Scripture of Matthew 25:35-40:

35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

This book does a good job inspiring the reader to follow God’s Word & give to others in need. At the end of the book is an advertisement for World’s Vision and Blood:Water Mission along with a web address that gives links to opportunities to share.

In the story, a little girl & her dog are decorating for Christmas when they receive a special invitation to attend a birthday party for the King. They quickly search for a present & ready themselves for the trip. Wearing her warm cape, carrying a cake for the King & taking her favorite Teddy Bear, the girl & her dog set off in the provided carriage.

Along the way, they encounter a grandma/ grandson pair who are cold & hungry. The girl gives the couple her cape & her cake. Next, they encounter a poor family whose child has lost her only toy, thus the little girl gives away her Teddy Bear.

At last they reach the King’s party where they are warmly welcomed. She notices gifts are being given to the attendants, not the King. Curious, the little girl approaches the King to ask why. The King lovingly takes the girl onto His lap & explains they when gifts are given from the heart, it is really a gift to Him. She begins to explain about her cake gift when the King tells her He knows, then shows her the angels she helped along the way. He lets her know He received His gift when she helped others.

The story is well written but I do not like the illustrations. The illustrator portrays Jesus as a black man with light eyes. He does not look Jewish at all in my opinion. The next page, He appears more like a white man, then back to a black man on the following page. Jesus does not change; He is Jewish. He does not change His ethnicity to be an All to all.