The Parable of the Lily: The Parable Series

maggie discovers easter magic in this kids' book.

This is a beautifully written and illustrated book that clearly explains the meaning of Easter. I wept as I read it to my family, it moved me so much. A must have for Easter!

There are many books about Easter to choose from. The Parable of the Lily, written by Liz Curtis Higgs and illustrated by Nancy Munger, is a lively, engaging story about a girl named Maggie who receives a mysterious gift shortly after Christmas. It looks like just a box of dirt to her. Not understanding what it really is, she puts the box in the cellar with the other gardening items. When the weather gets warmer, and her father is working in the garden, Maggie knocks the box off from the cellar shelf in her haste to get her gardening tools. She spills the dirt, and a flower bulb that was buried in the dirt, onto the floor. When she cleans the mess up, she tosses dirt and all outside into the yard. Several weeks later, when she wakes up on Easter morning, she finds out how special the gift really is. A beautiful Easter lily is blooming in her garden. Although The Parable of the Lily isn't about Jesus' death and resurrection, there are Bible verses interspersed throughout the text that connect what's happening in the story to life of Jesus. The bright, colorful illustrations help convey the story line. What I like: I liked the whole book. The story was written well and the illustrations helped enhance the story line. What I dislike: Nothing. Overall Rating: Excellent. Age Appeal: 3 - 7. Christine M. Irvin - Christian Children's Book Review

This book tells a story of a girl (who represents humanity) who is given a gift of a lily bulb (who represents Jesus) by a "secret" friend, who turns out to be her father (representing God the Father). The girl is disappointed in the gift, and eventually tosses it outside, never thinking of it again. But she wakes up one morning to find that it has bloomed despite her neglect. She also learns her father is the one who secretly gave her the gift, and she apologizes for ignoring his gift. "Will you forgive me" she askes. He replies, "Oh, my child, That's what Easter is all about." Bible verses in small print at the bottom of the pages tie the story to the Bible (when the girl receives the gift she is disappointed, as it appears to be just dirt -- the corresponding verse is "There was nothing in his appearance to make us desire him; when the girl tosses the bulb out, the verse is Isaiah 53:3: He was hated and rejected by people...People would not even look at him.") The Bible verses are in a child-friendly translation, which is wonderful. This is very creative, simple, yet incredibly meaningful, as are all of Liz Curtis Higgs' books. The artwork is colorful, simple, and comforting.

I would highly recommend this book . It was a joy to read it to my 4 year old. The bible verses are wonderful. My Husband and I were both impressed with it's creativity in explaining what Christ did for us at Easter. The little girl in the story represents us, lost and unsaved, her father is our Holy Father, the forgotton bulb she throws away is Christ, which comes back to life. Refering to the store of the Lily, my little girl said, "Mommy thats' just like Jesus"! It made me feel so good that she understands. Get it for you little one and God Bless.

Like the other parable books by Liz Curtis Higgs, this is a wonderful story for children that has a lesson to it. Maggie learns the lesson of forgiveness and the true story of Easter. It is a book that will surely bring a tear to the eye of a mother reading it to her child. I recommend it highly.