Little Pilgrim's Progress: From John Bunyan's Classic [Paperback]

Helen Taylor (Author), Helen L. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 2006 | Age Range: 4 and up

Fifty-five years ago, Helen L. Taylor took John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and simplified the vocabulary and concepts for young readers, while keeping the storyline intact. The result was a classic in itself, which has now sold over 600,000 copies. It's both a simple adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life, a delightful read with a message kids ages 6 to 12 can understand and remember. A new look and fresh illustrations for today's children enlivens the journey to the Celestial City.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A beloved allegory retold...

60 years ago, Helen L. Taylor took John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and retold the classic for young readers.  The result was a classic in itself that continues to reach new readers year after year.  Little Pilgrim's Progress is both an exciting adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life, a delightful read that kids ages 6 to 12 can enjoy and remember.

Enjoy this 60th anniversary edition of the classic novel. Read it to your children for the first time or relive a childhood favorite.

About the Author

HELEN L. TAYLOR, author of Little Pilgrim's Progress, has carefully rewritten a centuries-old tale in order that children might be able to grasp the truths set out by John Bunyan in 1678. She is now at home with her Lord.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (February 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802449247
• ISBN-13: 978-0802449245
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Worth Reading July 10, 2006

By Rebeca

Format:Paperback

As a parent I want the books I read my children to not only be entertaining, but to open their eyes to the world around them and present Truth to their little hearts. Little Pilgrim's Progress, a child's version of John Bunyan's classic allegory of the Christian life, does just that. Helen Taylor does an excellent job of keeping the story simple enough to thoroughly engage my 3 1/2 year old son without dumbing or watering it down. It has everything an active little boy could want in a story- adventure and battles, danger, swords, giants and dragons and it's full of spiritual lessons along the way. The chapters are short, only two to three pages, and each one left us eager to find out what was going to happen next.

The book is divided into two sections, the first being the story of little Christian, a boy living in the City of Destruction. The King sends him a message through His servant Evangelist and Christian sets out on his pilgrimage toward the Celestial City. Along the way he meets other servants of the King who help him along the path and some who become his traveling companions for parts of the journey. He also meets with many of the King's enemies; Self, Worldly, and the Giant Despair who inhabits Doubting Castle to name a few. He learns to love the Prince as he faces danger, temptation, doubts, and even suffers on behalf of being one of the King's Pilgrims. The second half of the book is the story of Christiana, a friend of Christian's from the City of Destruction. She too is summoned by the King and sets out along with her brothers and baby sister. Because they're so young the King gives them a guide, a young man called Greatheart.... As they travel their company grows to include many others, and it's wonderful to see the children learn to love and trust the King as they journey toward His city.

My son loves to play that he's a character from whatever we're reading, and because this story is about children he especially enjoys playing that he's one of the King's little pilgrims. Even though they're young they face great danger, and the King makes them brave and strong to fight battles. This story has given us many opportunities to talk about the great Spiritual truths that are inherent in it. My son's name is Latin for Pilgrim or wanderer, so I was able to explain that to him in the context in which we intended it when we called him that.

I think one of the marks of a good children's story is that it can also keep the attention of the adult reader! Little Pilgrim's Progress not only did that, but challenged and encouraged me in my own journey on the Way of the King. I know that this will be a book we'll want to read many times. I, for one, can hardly wait! Read more ›

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My children found it gripping February 9, 2007

By An electric kettle fan

Format:Paperback

I have strong memories of this book from when I read it as a child, very different from other books, and fascinating, one of my favorites, couldn't get it out of my mind. When my children were young, I remembered this book and obtained a copy. The first time I read it to them, they were only 3 1/2 and 5 1/2. I knew they were young, so was amazed at how much they liked the book and would beg me again and again to read "just one more" chapter. (I would still suggest this book for slightly older children, maybe in the younger elementary years.) But it really is an amazingly gripping book for children, with lots of important lessons that can be learned and discussed. My son, after reading about the character "Help" early in the book, asked whether could change his name to "Help"! (We suggested that he have it as a second middle name). Then later he wanted to add the name "Greatheart". Anyhow, I will end with saying I strongly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars character qualities May 20, 2007

By G. lindly

Format:Paperback

we used this as a read aloud with our kids ages 4-11 they love it. 2-3 page chapters make it a great bed time story. We talked about christian characteristics and worldly charateristics these things are rarely taught. Great Book!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Little Pilgrim's Progress: From John Bunyan's Classic (The Message) by Helen Taylor July 12, 2007

By Sandra Casto

Format:Paperback

This is a great book for children to get the message of "Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan. It is written so they can understand it and gets them caught up in the adventure and stories in the book. I use it to teach lessons on Sunday at my church. We read it together and then discuss what the story might mean to them and how they can use what little Christian learns in his life lessons.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars , But the Kindle version is missing a significant piece February 29, 2012

By Amy T.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Little Pilgrim's Progress is a lovely little story of the Christian walk. I loved it and re-read it many times as a kid, and even as a fairly precocious child I didn't feel liked I was being talked down to. I'm re-reading it some forty years later and I'm still finding it sweet and comforting, still affected by the characters and the simple but vivid imagery of the lessons that Little Christian learns along his journey to the Celestial City.

I'm giving this five stars because I love the story so much, but I'm hugely disappointed that the Kindle version omits several important paragraphs in which Little Christian meets the Shining Ones who tell him that the King loves him and forgives him, dress him in new clean clothes and give him a little scroll which he will need to enter the Celestial City. Not exactly minor details there. I'm only a few chapters in so I don't know if any other parts are missing. I certainly hope not!

I recommend finding this story in another version published with more care.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Took me back to 3rd grade. December 18, 2010

By Andy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I got this book in 3rd grade and read it over and over until it literally fell apart. Once I became a parent I looked and looked for it, but I could never find it. Finally I found it on Amazon and ordered it. It is the same exact book I read in 1983. I read a chapter or two every night after dinner to my kids, and they loved it. The chapters are short which keeps the kids from losing interest. Thanks for the blast from my past. This children's version of a great classic novel keeps all the meaning of the original story and simplifies for young minds. Children and adults will enjoy this book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving. August 20, 2011

By Rebecca Petris

Format:Paperback

If I were to recommend Pilgrims Progress to someone it would definitely be either the original or this one - depending on their age and literacy - as opposed to any of the modern abridged versions. I particularly like the way the Christiana section is rendered in the childrens version - it really comes to the heart of the how we are intended to be walking in community, not in isolation, as the body of Christ, and shows the Lord's tender heart towards the weakest members.

The section on Giant Despair and Doubting Castle is gripping and so true to life. I also like the rendering of the valley of the shadow of death - which to me is really the pivotal point of the book and of Little Christian's deepening of faith - the moment at which the sun rises on Little Christian and he looks behind and sees how much worse he has come through really was than what he even knew at the time, so he sees the mercy of the Lord in keeping him in darkness at that time, and he looks forward to see a path strewn with snares and knows the Lord brought the light just in time to save him from that.

My daughter and I have read this dozens of times and the copy I have had since childhood is in tatters.