Small Gifts in God's Hands [Hardcover]

Max Lucado (Author), Cheri Bladholm (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2000 | Age Level: 3 and up

"God can do great things with a small gift."

Set in Biblical times, Max Lucado brings to life one of the most loved stories from the Bible: the feeding of the multitudes. Children will understand the story told from a young boy's perspective who learns that no gift is too small for Jesus. The beautiful, moving illustrations from Cheri Bladholm compliment the wonderful story.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 5-8. A young boy, Elijah, meets Jesus and rushes home to tell his mother, expressing his desire to give Jesus a gift. He looks around at their meager possessions, but nothing seems suitable. His mother reassures him that Jesus won't care about the size of the gift. During the week Elijah hears about gifts people give to Jesus: they lend him their home so he can preach, they provide him with a meal. But Elijah has nothing. One day he and his mother go to hear Jesus teach. A large crowd has gathered, and soon everyone is hungry and tired. Elijah and his mother have brought only enough food for themselves, but they offer Jesus what they have. Of course, it is with their small offering that Jesus feeds the thousands on the hillside. Bladholm's realistic illustrations convey the powerful message that no gift is too small for God. Shelley Townsend Hudson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; First edition. edition (September 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849958423
• ISBN-13: 978-0849958427
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #947,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In just under two decades of writing, Max Lucado has accomplished more than most writers hope for in a lifetime. Most of his books have appeared on one or more best seller lists, including those published by the "New York Times," "USA Today," "Publishers Weekly," and the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). Aside from hardcover books, Lucado's writings have also been published as children's books, videos, CD-ROMs, DVDs, music CDs, mass paperback booklets, apparel, giftware, bookmarks, calendars, study Bibles, workbooks, curricula, and plush products. In spring 2003, Hallmark/Dayspring Cards launched a new gift card line featuring excerpts from Lucado's writings--and has already sold more than one million cards.

All this success has drawn more than a little attention to a previously low-profile Texas author and minister. Lucado has been featured in a wide range of media, including "USA Today," "Larry King Live," and "NBC Nightly News." He has spoken at the National Prayer Breakfast before the President of the United States. He has traveled with internationally renowned musicians as a special speaker on their music tours, such as the highly successful "Come Together & Worship Tour" (sponsored by Chevrolet) with Grammy Award-winning artists Michael W. Smith and Third Day.

Journey to the Top
Lucado was born in 1955 in San Angelo, Texas, and raised in Andrews, Texas, the youngest of four children. His father was an Exxon oil field mechanic who, Lucado remembers, always smelled of grease cleaner. "It makes it easy for me to see a God who is loving and kind--because my dad was," he says. His mother was a nurse who grew up working in the cotton fields.

Lucado went through a period of rebellion against his parents' values and their God during his teens and into college. But it wasn't long before he found himself drawn back to his roots, back to God. He married, spent time serving as a missionary in Brazil, and returned to the States, where he began working as a church minister and writing on the side.

Secret to Success
From all accounts, Max Lucado is not a man consumed by sales, awards, and achievements. He often turns down media interviews since they impede on family and ministry commitments. He spends the bulk of his week serving as senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. And he is truly surprised by his own success--more impressed by his one-in-a-million wife and three amazing daughters than by his successful writing career.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NO GIFT IS SMALL TO GOD, December 3, 2000

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Small Gifts in God's Hands (Hardcover)

This is one of the most gentle and beautiful books I have ever read. It is the story of the prophet Elijah, nephew of St. Peter and friend of Jesus.

The child Elijah and his widowed mother work hard to make ends meet. Elijah sells the bread his mother bakes and fishes for their supper. His cousin, whose father is St. Peter, talks about the Teacher/Rabbi, the man named Jesus who talks of love and fairness. Elijah is excited and begs his mother to let him hear the Rabbi Jesus speaks. Her usual response is that if Jesus is who He claims to be, no gift is too small. Before she lets him join his cousin to hear Jesus, he has to clean their home and help her with the household chores. Once he finishes his chores, he joins his cousin, his Uncle Peter and others to hear Jesus.

Saddened by the dearth of food and shelter to offer Jesus, Elijah asks his mother what they can give this gentle teacher. She tells him yet again that no gift is small to Jesus. Pondering this, Elijah offers Jesus the basket of fish he caught that morning. Jesus thanks him and says how lucky it was the boy caught them because the crowd had grown in number and the people were hungry. They just might like some fish.

Reaching into the basket, Jesus manages to feed the crowd a seemingly inexhaustible supply of fish. Elijah, Peter, and the others watch with amazed delight. That night, Elijah talks about Jesus in great length to his cousin and mother. Elijah's mother smiled and imparted her message yet again that no gift is small to Jesus.

This is such an outstanding book with first rate illustrations. It is an excellent teaching tool and a wonderful reminder of the message Elijah's mother imparted. Each time one gives to God, that gift is welcomed wholeheartedly and is never small to Him.

I really love this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best for Kids!!!, February 2, 2003

By 

Gregory Nyman (Winchendon, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Small Gifts in God's Hands (Hardcover)

It is not secret that Max Lucado is a story teller, and this book designed for children (and adults as well), he tells a few of the stories of Christ through the eyes of his character "Elijah" and his mother "Miriam." Cheri Bladholm, who did the artwork, is just phenomenal, and every pages is filled with her exquisite artwork. There are so many favorites, but one of mine is the scene where the woman is pouring oil on Christ's feet.

Get this book and read it over and over again to your children, and to yourself.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such a wonderful children's book!!, June 10, 2011

By 

B. Prata (Cranston, RI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Small Gifts In God's Hands (Hardcover)

Such a wonderful children's book. It's a shame that it is so difficult to find. But well-worth the effort.