Tales of the Kingdom

David & Karen Mains' Kingdom Tales consist of three volumes: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. First published in hardcover in 1983, 1986 & 1996 with delightful illustrations by Jack Stockman, these three books have been reissued in softcover in 2000, but now with a limited number of black-and-white illustrations by Linda Wells which don't do much to enhance the text. Each volume consists of twelve fantasy short stories, set in a city ruled by an evil Enchanter who has usurped the throne from the true King. The stories are all separate events often involving different characters, but are bound together as part of a larger story as the Enchanted City is rescued by the exiled King and becomes the Bright City, leading to a joyous conclusion as the people of Great Park and Bright City begin the Great Celebration at the conclusion of the Restoration. The main returning character is Scarboy, an orphan boy who escapes from the Enchanted City with his brother, Little Child, and becomes Hero in the service of the King.Although the stories have distinctive allegorical qualities, they are more like religious fables or fairy tales, drawing on the imagery of the kingdom that Jesus Christ Himself taught in His ministry. Under the influence of the evil Enchanter, the people of the Enchanted City prefer darkness to the light, and so sleep during the day and work at night. But the King is at work delivering the city and rescuing the poor and needy and bringing them to the Great Park. Even though the Enchanter's men proclaim "There is no such thing as a King", the King's men know "that "Things are not what they seem." They realize that even though the Enchanter had said "Seeing is believing", reality is different: "You have to believe in order to see." Christians will understand that these are important spiritual truths about faith and serving the King Jesus Christ.Each volume has some stories that were especially memorable. Volume 1 describes how Sarboy escapes the Enchanted City, where orphaned and handicapped children are enslaved. In the Great Park he discovers the wonderful truth about God's kingdom. One of my favorites in this volume was "The Baker who Loved Bread", which describes the King's Baker who bakes the King's Bread, but withholds this bread from poor and needy people, thinking he is doing a service to the king by doing so. When he beats a person whom he believes to be a thief about to steal his bread, he discovers that he has actually harmed the King himself, and learns an important lesson: "Love for the King is measured by one's love for his people. So the Baker fed the hungry and fed them well - lest the One he loved the most should starve." This concept is very clearly based on Christ's teaching in Matthew 25.How successful these stories are on their own apart from the underlying spiritual truths is hard to tell. The moral of the stories is generally quite transparent, although in the

I was first introduced to this book as a camper at a camp in North Carolina; I have since returned as a counselor there and have read it to my campers (who loved it as well)! As a children's book it is fantastic because although each chapter presents a different story with its own plot, each also weaves together with the other chapters to produce a larger plot based on the same settings and characters. This makes for great suspense for the kids from one reading to another! In addition, it is a great tool for conveying the biblical lessons pertaining to a Christian's daily walk. The stories are allegories. The format can even be seen as allegorical in the sense that, while each believer has a personal walk with Christ and daily experiences therein, each is also a part of the whole of Christ's body, the church...with the overall picture of a Savior dying to redeem sinners and one day returning to establish His eternal Kingdom. This book is fantastic!! I recommend it to all --whether child or adult!-- who would seek a tremendously written children's book which will encourage, challenge, and teach one in the ways of the King! (I, too, believe that the old edition illustrated by Jack Stockman needs to be revived!!)

When I was about 11, my aunt gave me the original, hardback versions of both "Tales of the Kingdom" and "Tales of the Resistance." I didn't really discover them until I few years ago, however, and they have since become my favorite books.I've read them a thousand times...the imagination of David Mains is amazing, and as a Christian, the allegory of the book is wonderful. They've been so encouraging to me; as you read the books, you see yourself in Hero, and you fall in love with the King, only to realize that we DO have such a king, in Jesus Christ! I love these books...and I just found out that there's a third book, "Tales of the Restoration"! I can't wait to get it. You MUST read all these books...you'll love them!

A lady that I worked in childcare with read this book to our kids, and I have looked for it ever since. I once found a used copy in Japan of all places, and CBD carried it for a little while. There are three books in the set, but I have only read the first one. Please get this brought back into print!

I enjoyed reading this book immensely and I would love the oppourtunity to share it with my children. It reminds me a little of The Chronicles of Narnia, There is something for every age level. Lessons to be learned by all, But mostly it reminds me that there is always hope when even in the darkest of places. PLEASE REISSUE THIS BOOK BACK INTO THE MARKET NOT JUST FOR ME BUT FOR OUR CHILDREN. Thank You.