Lamplighter Books are reprinted stories from long ago, but the situations and lessons shared are easy to relate to today. Jill’s Red Bag is a small, 263-page hardback book. It is different from others from this company that our family has loved reading. It is available from Lamplighter Publishing for $20.00.

This story features a young girl named Jill. After hearing a lesson from the Bible, she acts out her interpretation of it over an extended period of time. Her play becomes very real to her, and she involves friends, family, and even strangers.

Although Lamplighter clearly shares their beliefs on their website, including that faith apart from works leads to redemption, this book seems to emphasize works over faith. Collecting both her own money and coercing others to give seems to be Jill’s goal without a true understanding of the purpose of tithes and offerings.

Through the story, throughout the community, additional characters are developed. In the beginning, I was concerned as a mom about the unsafe play of the unsupervised children. I even discussed with my daughter that this would not be my first choice to read aloud to my son as he, at times, still takes things literally. The behaviors identified as both defiant and wicked are not actions I would want my son to try. The editor said that he looks forward to reading it to his grandchildren. It does change by the end of the book. Jill eventually learns that everything belongs to God.

Lamplighter also offers other books and their Lamplighter Theatre audio dramas and comprehension guides which correspond to many of their books.

—Product review by Jennifer Miller, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, July 2017