Sammy and His Shepherd: Seeing Jesus in Psalm 23

This is an incredible book for kids and adults alike!!! It puts Psalm 23 into easy to understand terms. The illustrations bring the words to life as well.

As a Christian mom finding good theologically sound children's books that are both captivating two children and adults is not easy ! This books has hit it home ! More then once it's brought tears to my eyes . The beautiful art work adds to the simple but rich story. We are reading one a night and are about half why through and I look forward to the story each night. You need this in your collection!

Sammy and His Shepherd is not a book to read in one sitting--at least, not to a child. But for adults who love the 23rd Psalm, it may be hard to put down. Susan Hunt's book has eleven short chapters. Each chapter illustrates a verse from Psalm 23. These illustrations are perfect for children, but they will be appreciated by the grown-ups, too. In chapter one: "The Lord is My Shepherd; I Shall Not Want," we are introduced to Sammy, the happy and content sheep. Sammy's shepherd loves his sheep, names them, and cares for them in every way. Sammy meets a nameless and pathetic little ewe across the fence. She is amazed to hear about Sammy's shepherd and wants to know more. The good shepherd eventually buys the little ewe, and she continues to be amazed by his love. At the end of the book are related verses, discussion questions, and applications for each chapter. The verses are taken from the English Standard Version. This supplemental material is ideal for helping children understand the concepts taught in each chapter. Susan Hunt has a degree in Christian education from Columbia Theological Seminary. It shows in this book. Sammy and His Shepherd teaches good theology in a way that children can understand. Cory Codby's full-page, colorful paintings top the book off. They are wonderfully done. The aesthetics combined with the sound teaching in Sammy and His Shepherd make a winning combination.

Reformation Trust children's books are refreshing. Theological sloppiness is common in children's resources, but I've come to trust the material from Reformation Trust to be sound. I asked the author of Sammy and His Shepherd, Susan Hunt, how she ensures theological accuracy in her book. Susan Hunt is the wife of a retired PCA pastor whom gives support and helps with theological accuracy. In other cases Susan Hunt gets additional review from other pastors, friends, or the elders of her local church. In the case of Sammy and His Shepherd, she "had great confidence in the theological oversight of the Ligonier editors" and didn't see the need for additional oversight. I agree her confidence was well placed as I too have come to trust the theological oversight of the Ligonier editors. Susan Hunt takes us through Psalm 23 in a way both parents and children will learn from. Cory Godbey did a wonderful job with the illustrations, but the words to pictures ratio was a bit off to keep my two year old's attention. I'd recommend this book for ages 5 and up. I do not mention an upper limit here because even though this book is targeted for kids, tweens, teens, and even adults will find the book entertaining and enlightening. Sammy and His Shepherd is a allegorical tale where Sammy (a Christian) has a wonderful Shepherd (Jesus) and befriends a sheep with a bad shepherd (a lost friend). In each of the eleven chapters, Susan Hunt does a wonderful job of using the allegory to exegete a passage of Psalm 23. At the end of the story, Susan Hunt has provided us with a great teaching resource to use in discussing the book with our children. For each chapter we are given a section of what the Bible tells us, something to talk about, and something to do. Sammy and His Shepherd is a great story that will give both parents and children a deeper understanding of Jesus and Psalm 23.

This is an excellent book for children that teaches them about God's love for us through a simple story about two sheep. In the book, a sheep named Sammy, meets another sheep and befriends her. Sammy is loved and cared for by his shepherd but his new friend is not. The story has Sammy teaching his friend about his Good Shepherd and ultimately she is bought by Sammy's shepherd and she begins to learn for herself about the shepherd's love. The book includes a section for parents of questions to ask their children to help them understand how the story relates to our Good Shepherd. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a book to read to their children that is solidly biblical, engaging, and well written.

Sammy and His Shepherd is about Psalm 23 and how God cares for His flock. The story is told through sheep (what else!). It starts when Sammy notices a nameless sheep on the other side of the fence. Sammy and My Friend become pals. It is very cute and profound at the same time. After spending about a page a day with it, my children (elementary school age) got excited when our pastor did a sermon on this beloved Psalm. This wasn't planned!

Sunday school curricula author and grandmother of twelve Susan Hunt presents Sammy And His Shepherd: Seeing Jesus In Psalm 23, a fairly advanced reading-level storybook based on Psalm 23. Told from the perspective of Sammy the sheep, the simple parables expound on the basic meaning of the biblical verses, and correspond to discussion points and questions in the back. In the eleventh chapter, a fellow sheep named Precious tells Sammy, "I've learned to trust our shepherd. He's merciful. He bought me when I was sick and dirty, and he has cared for me so that now I'm strong and healthy. He's good. He always does what is good and right for me. He has forgiven me when I've disobeyed him, comforted me when I've been fearful, and rescued me when I've wandered away. I have finally realized that I'm a precious jewel to him, and that I will dwell in his flock forever." An excellent and worthy addition to church libraries, and a good way for parents (or Sunday School teachers) to introduce children to what it means to be in the loving care of the Lord God and His son Jesus Christ.