Customer Reviews

Sidney & Norman

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Remember the biblical story of the Pharisee and the sinner both praying to God? One is self-righteous and the other knows he is a sinner. Now just change the humans to pigs and you'll have Phil Vischer's new book for children. The creative genius behind VeggieTales revisits Jesus' parable to teach children two truths: (1) We don't get into heaven because of our righteousness, and (2) God loves the bumbling sinner as much as the perfect person.

Although some words in the book seem too difficult for little ones, the message is clear: God hates pride. Norman, full of conceit, always followed the rules. He gave money to the poor and never missed church. In addition, all of Norman's teachers liked him when he was a piglet.

Poor Sidney could never get it together. He seldom arrived anywhere on time, and dressed very sloppy. He always hung his head when he ran into his neighbor Norman because he thought Norman looked down on him

One day the two pigs receive an invitation from God to visit Him. He has something to say to both pigs. As children read the story, they will be surprised to see how God views these two different creatures. After reading the book to your child, please read the section called, "About This Book." In a transparent moment, Phil gives us a glimpse of how this parable plays out in his marriage. His epilogue might even trump his pig story. Don't miss it, I almost did. - Carol G Stratton, Christian Book Previews.com

Using the kind of high-value creativity we have come to expect from the Veggie Tales creator, Phil Vischer, this story offers a touching and magnificent view of God's love. Vischer offers this tale in a cunningly captivating style that will enthrall readers, no matter what age they might be. Outstanding illustrations of this story by Justin Gerard ably illustrate Vischer's prose. This book belongs in the hands of every home where parents desire to instill in their children the reality that God views us in a much different way than we might normally view each other. This book belongs in the hands of every professional who deals with children. It sets an example of how to relate solid truth in a way that penetrates to the core of one's being. Every church library should also purchase this book to add to the delight of its young readers and old. As Sydney says at the end of the book, speaking of what he learned from his encounter with God, "First of all, he loves me. Secondly, he loves me. And thirdly -- He loves me." This book would clearly make an excellent birthday or holiday gift for grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

He's back! Phil Vischer, co-creator of Veggie Tales, has written Sydney and Norman, a children's story about two very different pigs who receive invitations to meet God. Both pigs accept the invitation. The surprise that awaits each and the lesons learned are central to this modern adaptation of one of the parables of Jesus.

The pictures are nicely done and the story moves at a good pace to a satisfying conclusion. You and your kids will enjoy this book.

If you've ever felt like you don't deserve God's love or that everyone else should just suck it up and live by the rules, this book is for you. Once I heard this book read (by a 40 year-old father of two to a room full of men) I had to go and buy it immediately.

I became a fan of Visher's work my senior year in college when my girlfriend's best friend sat a group of us down to watch the VeggieTales classic "Where's God When I'm Scared?" Over the years I've become more and more convinced of his genius.

This book trumps many of his previous efforts. While reading it to my 5 year-old daughter, I help but cry as I realized that despite my "messes" God love me very much, much more than I deserve.

This book is genius. From now on, a tough day will bring the words, "First off, [God] loves me. Secondly, He loves me. Finally, He loves me."

Paul

This book was AMAZING! It brought me to tears...the good kind of course! My neice loves the Veggie Tales and brought this book over on a visit. We sat and took turns reading it! By the end of the book I was in tears. What an amazing message for children...but for parents and adults alike! I have purchased many as gifts and plan to share this message with as many people as I can!

I just picked this up the other day and plunked down on my chair to read it before bed. What a delight! I was first of all struck by the excellent artwork which has a soft and gentle feel to it. I think the whole book, writing, story, art is wonderfully understated. It is wonderful how the story flips and we see that both characters have their issues. It is a proper use of the law and the gospel that shows God's love through both character's encounter with the God who loves them both. I told my wife that she had to read it and yesterday when I got home she was actually excited about it. "It made me tear up and didn't go really where I was expecting it to go" was her comment. This one is a winner.

I read this to my daughter. This is a such touching story. Although I only read it once, I thought about the story so many times. I like phil vischer share with us how he come up with this story and how we should use them in our life.

All my life, I like the pig sidney- a misserable loser in many areas. And at some time, I like the pig norman-look down on other people. So i learn a lot from this story.

I'm an atheist, but the "God" part of this doesn't bother me enough to make me feel it deserves to lose a star. It's still a very good story about not being self-absorbed, and not having to be outwardly perfect. (I'm a Sidney. Sometimes we need to know we're OK, too, even if we're rumpled and running late.)

Wonderful book for children and adults. "I love you." The words that change all of our lives when we encounter God and realize that he is saying them to us!

I am placing this book on my coffee table. What a message of God's love!