I love to read; my oldest son, on the other hand, is a very reluctant reader. My other three are smaller and so we do a lot of reading aloud in our home. That said I am always looking for things that we can read which are engaging for all of us. Since my oldest son loves his Bible and all kinds of materials related to the study of this powerful faith, this was one that we were quite excited to have the chance to read together. Of particular interest to me was how this book would help to teach about other cultures around the world while also sharing the Gospel. This book is recommended for late elementary or early middle school youth however this was story all of us were quite involved in.

In our family we have a number of friends and family around the world with a range of beliefs from Muslim to Buddhist to Atheist. That said, this book was a wonderful and gentle way, to introduce my oldest son, who is ten, to the other faiths that so many believe. Certainly it is a wonderful apologetics lesson for our youth.  It is important for us to be able to speak wisely not just to our own faith but also how it compares with others. Certainly if we are to preach the gospel to all nations, we need to have a wisdom that goes beyond the surface.

You see, Traveler: One Girl’s Amazing Journey of Spiritual Discovery, tells the story of Anastasia, a young girl who travels to around the world using her playhouse to go wherever her imagination can take her. I love the premise of that alone. How powerful the imagination can be! A great lesson in itself for our children.  This little girl is a wonderfully created character; one that encourages and reminds us of the value of curiosity. Full of questions, she is always up for an adventure! I think she might be a homeschooler!

As she travels she learns about various religions around the world such as Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism. As she learns about these faiths, she also learns the unique difference between these faiths and Christianity.  Nothing is ever easy and sure enough, as she travels, there are challenges she must face.  If only we could all enter into our trials with the heart of Anastasia. For us mommas, this is a blessed reminder to us, of those days when we were full of imagining play ourselves.

This is an amazing story, fun and entertaining yet full of important truths, all gently woven within. There are so many wonderful lessons to be learned within this book. As with all things, it is a story that shows the great value of building relationships; it encourages us to stop and listen that we may learn and as we come together with others, reason together. It encourages us to ask questions, no matter how silly they may seem. And it shows the power that is in Christ alone. A faith that is like no other.

If you are looking for a story that shares the great power of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, this is a wonderful one to consider. Whether your older child reads it alone, or you read it together as a family you will be blessed. And this is one that is worthy to be read again and again as well. So many lessons to be learned from sweet Anastasia and the friends she made as she travelled.

-Product review by Jennifer King The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October, 2016