Gifts from the Heart

by Victoria Osteen, Diane Palmisciano (Illustrator)

Overview

Victoria Osteen continues her storybook series with a royal adventure fit for the most rambunctious of princes and princesses. A brother and sister, Jon and Sue, take an imaginary journey into a medieval world of kings and castles. They find themselves in a bustling town that’s preparing a party for their king. While the townspeople are busy looking for fancy gifts to buy, Jon and Sue—with the help of their new friend Maryanne—remind everyone that the talents God has given them are the most precious gifts of all. At the end of the day the king’s celebration is a success because each person gives a gift from their heart.

An answer-aloud question section at the end of the story encourages parents and children to talk about the lessons they've just learned and to discover the adventure in their own daily lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781416955511
Publisher:	Little Simon Inspirations
Publication date:	10/05/2010
Pages:	29
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Victoria Osteen is copastor of Lakewood Church and the wife of televangelist Joel Osteen. She is a native of Houston, Texas.

Diane Palmisciano is the illustrator of more than fifty books for children including picture books and chapter books such as the Jenny Archer series. Ms. Palmisciano is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Rhode Island.

Editorial Reviews

Continuing her series of faith-based inspirational fables, Osteen--wife of minister/author Joel--tells how Sue and Jon (last seen in Unexpected Treasures) are transported through pretend play to a kingdom where the young subjects are in need of some shoring up. Snobby Sir Robbie has insisted that only those bearing the finest gifts can party with the king. But Sue and Jon know otherwise: " ‘You do not need a crown,' said Sue,/ ‘to give a gift that's true./The finest gifts in all the world/ God put inside of you.' " They persuade the children to put on a talent show and carnival, and it will come as little surprise that it thoroughly enchants the king. Osteen remains an unimaginative (at best) writer of rhymes--it's too bad her message can't be more aesthetically inspirational, though she gets a great deal of help from Palmisciano. While the watercolor images are pedestrian in their characterizations, there's a surprisingly strong and varied sense of composition at work, which keeps the story from sinking under its good intentions. Ages 3–7. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly