10 of those

A beautiful retelling of the story of Lazarus and the end of "forever goodbyes"

This is a really beautifully illustrated book that could be read to younger primary children (and preschoolers) and would still appeal to older primary children to read to themselves. The book retells the story of Lazarus, and uses beautiful illustrations and wording to convey the emotions of Mary and Martha as they watch Lazarus get ill, wait for Jesus to help, and then have to say goodbye forever to their brother. My favourite line is when Jesus says to Martha, "There is a day coming when we will say goodbye to saying goodbyes forever. Do you believe that?" The last couple of pages help a child apply the truths of this story to their own life, helping them to think about when they have to say goodbye to people, and reassuring them that Jesus knows that it is sad to say goodbye. It finishes with the line; "And one day, Jesus and all his friends will say goodbye to goodbyes - forever!" There is a short page for parents at the end. This book is Biblically faithful, and focuses on the sadness of death and the certainty that Jesus will one day end painful goodbyes.

Teresa