Tales of the Kingdom

Rating:
Summary: Great Christian fairy tales!
Review: 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 case of a few tales it is rather obscure. But on the whole the message about serving and honouring the King Jesus Christ comes through loud and clear. I found the stories thoroughly enjoyable particularly because of this deeper meaning. I suspect that those who don't appreciate the deeper meaning will find it hard to enjoy the tales as stand-alone stories for their own sake. The concept is similar to the Narnia Chronicles, although not with the same degree of success, because the Narnian stories can also function on the level of stories alone. But although the world isn't as fantastic as C.S. Lewis' Narnia, Narnian fans may find themselves appreciating the Kingdom Tales of the Mains for the same reasons: the spiritual depth. They will certainly lead to a greater love for the King and His Kingdom! -GODLY GADFLY

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic allegory!
Review: 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!!)

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Story
Review: This story is about a young boy who finds love and acceptance. My mom read it to me when I was a little girl. It is a wonderful book to read to any age. The boy Hero, and the Princess Amanda struggle through real problems, like me. Yet through the help of wise leaders, they are taught to overcome. The illustrations in the original book are incredible. Please reprint the books with the original illustrator!

Rating:
Summary: Great story
Review: When I first saw that this series had been reprinted, I was quite happy. But then I discovered that this new printing had left out all of the pictures which had been one of my favorite parts of the books. As a child, I would sit and stare at the bright, intricate pictures for long periods of time as I read through the stories. I do realize that most of those pictures scream "1980's", but they really added something to the book.

Nevertheless, the stories are still worth reading and I highly recommend them. It is rare that one finds a book of Christian allegories that is really good. Tales of the Kingdom manages to have both fantastic allegorical stories and stories that are good as just stories.

One starts off reading of a boy, Hero, and his younger brother who manage to escape from the oppressive Enchanted City where people are only allowed to be awake at night to the pleasant Great Park. The story of Hero and how he comes to understand who he is and what his place in Great Park is is the main theme of most of the tales in the book. But interspersed with his story are tales of other inhabitants of the park. From silly knights and a girl named Dirty to a prideful baker and a princess and a dragon, the tales are vivid and delightful.

Most Christians will recognize the virtues and allegories that are woven into these tales, but the book is not preachy. All children (and adults), Christian or not, can enjoy these tales of the kingdom.