The Tower: A Story of Humility (Hardcover)

by Richard Paul Evans (Author), Jonathan Linton (Illustrator) "There was once a young man who desired to be great..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
This Far Eastern-flavored tale from Christian writer Richard Paul Evans (The Christmas Box) teaches a simple lesson of humility: in the words of a wise, old woman, "To be great is not to be higher than another, but to lift another higher."

Evans's storytelling pluck and homespun wisdom are in ample evidence here, as a young villager decides (à la Yertle the Turtle) that if he can only look down on enough people, he will become truly great. So the man constructs a platform and eventually the eponymous tower, only to find that--as with all time-honored stories about reaching too high--it doesn't work.

As befits the Evans ethic, the story ends with a shot at redemption, and Jonathan Linton's vivid, photorealistic illustrations (though jarring at first) ably convey the young man's subtle transformation. (A sequel of sorts to The Christmas Candle, a story of charity, and The Spyglass, a story of faith.) (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

From Publishers Weekly
This leaden title in the Richard Paul Evans Virtues Collection spotlights humility. Determining that greatness means having everyone look up to him literally a proud young man in long-ago China builds a tower and isolates himself from his fellow villagers. Loneliness is a small price to pay, and anyway, "Why would he want to associate with those so much lower than himself?" When a bird questions his choices and tells him of an old woman "even we birds look up to," the young man sets off to find her. Ultimately her counsel moves him: "Being seen and being great are not the same thing.... To be great is not to be seen by, but to truly see, others." Didactic and clich‚d, Evans's (The Christmas Box) text does little to engage young readers. The illustrations fare better. The Chinese setting affords an exotic flavor in Linton's realistic oil paintings, and the character studies are a deft mix of light and shadow played out with strong brush strokes and vivid color. All ages. (Nov.)Christmas Box House, a facility for abused and neglected children.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689834675
• ISBN-13: 978-0689834677
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #595,483 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A reader from Chatham, New Jersey, March 1, 2002

By A Customer

While Richard Paul Evans' new tale is lovely to read, the gorgeous illustrations are what truly make this book magical. Jonanthan Linton's illustrations are beautiful, inspiring and breathtaking. His realistic paintings are full of color and light. My favorite is of the old woman as she faces the man...you can see the goodness radiating from her face! I have purchased two other Richard Paul Evans' books solely because the illustrations are so amazing! They are, THE DANCE and THE SPYGLASS...most impressive!!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL & TIMELY, October 26, 2001

By A Customer

I really admire Richard Paul Evans writing because this original story feels like you're reading a classic folk tale. The story of a man learning to share with others, and put his vanity behind him has never been more timely. Children and adults should take this story to heart. The art is stunning.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story of a young man who wants to be well-known, January 4, 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Jonathan Linton provides the illustrations for this story of a young man who wants to be well-known in his village. He constructs a tower which reaches into the sky so all will look up to him - but finds his position a lonely one until fate intervenes. Good reading skills or parental assistance required.