Customer Reviews

Keoni's Big Question

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

Keoni's Big Question is a delightfully written story whose words are gentle and mesmerizing. One of the big questions that many children ask is: "Why can't I see God?" and Keoni's Big Question answers that perfectly. As Keoni struggles with this bewildering question, adults and children alike will enjoy and revel in the path that Keoni takes to finally find the answer - and what a marvelous answer it is.

With beautiful illustrations to go hand in hand with this down to earth and memorable story, Keoni's Big Question is truly a treasure to grace every family's bookshelf to be read over and over again, for years to come. When difficulities strike and things in life don't always make sense, Keoni's Big Question is the perfect way to sit down and remind ourselves that God is truly all around us and that is what is the most important.

I read this book to my kids (6 children ages 9 months to 12 years) and asked them what they thought of it when I was finished. I wanted to share their thoughts with you...

Chloe (age 9) said, "That was awesome! That was a really cool book and I liked the ending."

Sarah (age 12) said, "I loved it. Especially the part where Keoni is talking to the old fisherman."

Philip said, "I liked it." (That would be the opinion of an 11 year old boy :-)

They all agreed that they would definitely recommend it to other children.

In my adult opinion, I thought it was well done and really did a good job of answering an important spiritual question in an easy to understand way for kids. In this case the question is, "Why can't we see God?" Keoni asks people in his life this question but isn't really satisfied with the answers... he keeps asking until revelation comes. The concept of pressing in until the answer comes is wonderful for kids to grasp.

The illustrations are fanciful and Chloe said she like the picture that showed Keoni and all the light (his moment of revelation). All in all this is a lovely children's book with a good spiritual storyline that I am trying not to spoil for you.

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 and self-proclaimed book reviewer, I am blessed with the opportunity to review good kid's books on my blog, for free. My thanks go out to Capstone Productions for providing me a review copy of Keoni's Big Question by Patti B. Ogden, and illustrated by Mary Manning.

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. It gets only 2 out of 5 stars from me.

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 the author for review. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

Length:: 1:02 Mins

Keoni's Big Question

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.

"Keoni's Big Question" is a touching story of one boy's journey to understand God's presence in everyday life.

Keoni and Old Fisherman travel along the Ohio River in a small green dingy. Keoni admires the wildlife and loves nature, but today the Old Fisherman senses something is bothering him.

Suddenly, a storm rolls in and the two are forced to seek refuge under a thicket of pine trees. Soon, Keoni asks the Old Fisherman the question that has been on his mind--a question that he has hoped many would answer, but none have. As the Old Fisherman explains, Keoni finds his question answered in more ways than he ever dreamed possible.

Based upon story and sermon excerpts from William Marrion Branham, "Keoni's Big Question" will help children understand the presence of God in their lives in a simple and delightful way.

The unending curiosity of childhood and the beauty of nature is eloquently captured within this book's pages. Illustrator Mary Manning has excelled at bringing Keoni's story to life in pictures that perfectly compliment the text.

If you are searching for an enjoyable and meaningful way to share a Christian message with your child, then pick up "Keoni's Big Question" today.