If Jesus Came to My House

by Joan G Thomas

Overview

First published in the US in 1951 by Lothrop & Lee, New York.

A little boy imagines what it would be like if Jesus came to spend the afternoon with him -- the little boy Jesus, of course, "about the age that I am and about the size of me."

It is easy to see why this friendly little book has been so popular. It offers the Golden Rule in concepts easily grasped by small children and indirectly suggests some ways to carry them out.

"I still can share with Jesus

the nicest of my toys

by lending them or giving them

to poorer girls and boys.

And though He may not visit me

as I have wished He would,

yet even so He'll bless my house

if I am kind and good."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781774645079
Publisher:	Must Have Books
Publication date:	04/21/2023
Pages:	24
Sales rank:	50,874
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.06(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Joan G. Thomas was an author and illustrator of several books, including The Christmas Angel and A Stands For Angel: A Book of the Alphabet in Picture and Rhyme.

Lori McElrath-Eslick is the award-winning illustrator of such books as DA Wei's Treasure: A Chinese Tale by Margaret and Raymond Chang; Does God Know How to Tie Shoes? by Nancy White Carlstrom; and Read For Me, Mama by Vashanti Rahaman. Lori lives with her family in a small town in Michigan.

Editorial Reviews

PreS-Gr 2

First published in 1951 and newly illustrated, Thomas's rhyming reflection on the place Jesus has in a young boy's life still provides inspiration and comfort to today's readers. The nameless narrator imagines greeting Jesus, a child "about the age that I am/and about the height of me," at his front door. He describes how he would make Jesus feel at home, giving him a "comfy seat," making him tea, and sharing his toys. The lad realizes that Jesus will never come to visit, but comforts himself with the prospect of going to church to pray, sing, and worship. He takes to heart the timeless mandate from the Gospel of Matthew to do for the least of Jesus's brothers what you would do for him. Painted in glowing jewel tones, McElrath-Eslick's luminous portraits mirror the old-fashioned charm of the text. She depicts Jesus as an appealing barefoot boy dressed in shorts and a T-shirt and in the latter half of the book portrays the young narrator offering a cup of tea to a friend, giving his toys to less fortunate children, and taking a bouquet to an elderly woman. The idyllic landscapes further emphasize the gentle message of the lilting text. Pair this fine addition to religion collections with August Gold's Where Does God Live? (Sky Light Paths, 2001).-Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA

School Library Journal