Small Gifts In God's Hands (Hardcover)

by Max Lucado (Author), Cheri Bladholm (Illustrator) "Mother, people are still coming!..." (more)

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 Description

"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.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (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 (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,239,907 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 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 500 REVIEWER)

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.

5 of 5 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 (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.