Oh, the Treasures You’ll Know is a fun book, the kind where Dr. Seuss writes Pilgrim’s Progress. (This is actually a Christian parody of Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go!) Along the lines of Pilgrim’s Progress, on its map exist places like the Path of Salvation and the Wide Path of Destruction, the Pit of Pride, Whocaresville, Maze-For-All-Those-Who-Would-Make-Their-Own-Way, the mountain of Trials, Glumpy Lagoon, Stories of Heroes of the Faith, and more.
Dan Olson works with Anselm House, a center for Christian Study at the University of Minnesota. Craig Macintosh is a Vietnam veteran, a novelist, a former political cartoonist, and a syndicated comic strip artist.
In regards to Dr. Seuss, there aren’t quite-so-goofy characters like in his book, nor silly-but-bizarre words (although there is a Me-Bubble-Zubble). However, both the rhyming and the pastelle-esque color schemes are reminiscent of his books (and this one plays off of the title of his Oh, the Places You’ll Go!). Olson even refers to both names Seuss and Bunyan in the book.
The main character here is a boy, and while he is not compared to a sheep, he walks the path with sheep and is told to avoid the goats (who also transform into “clowns”). You’ll meet characters like poor impatient Hugh who forgot that Jesus—and not the clock—is King. He turned on his rocket, hoping to be his own master, and yet instead he headed straight for disaster.
You’ll run across people who believe there is no God and people who believe in every God.
But what you really want to avoid is Whocaresville, which looks just like a neighborhood in a small town. They don’t care for their neighbor’s woe, for friend or foe, nor for the poor or the low. They simply ask, “Who cares?” Yet you! You are encouraged to make Christ’s name famous as can be, and not to waste your life with the phone or TV. In Christ you’ll find numerous imperfect heroes and heroines who stood strong in their faith for Christ, and those who were held be Christ when they fell. I really enjoyed seeing the picture of the boy tying himself to his boat so that he would not be tempted by the Sirens’ song (which comes from the Odyssey. If you don’t know the story look it up and then share it with your kids*).
Recommended?
The book encourages your children to run past those things, people, and temptations that will hinder them from a full life with Christ. Instead, they are to follow our loving King and serve as he served. And when they mess up, God will leave his ninety-nine sheep to rescue them. It ends by looking at five crowns from the New Testament (the crowns of life, eternity, glory, righteousness, and rejoicing). These are crowns our children can look forward to receiving when they stand before Jesus. This is another fun book that is another step in your child’s journey encouraging them to follow Christ over anything else.
Lagniappe
- Author: Dan Olson
- Illustrator: Craig MacIntosh
- Hardcover: 46 pages
- Publisher: 10Publishing (July 18, 2022)
Buy it from Amazon or 10 of Those Publishing!
Review Disclosure: I received this book free from 10 of Those. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.
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*I heard a good sermon illustration comparing what Odysseus did to what Christian should do. Odysseus tied himself to the mast of the boat so that when he heard the Sirens’ songs he couldn’t do anything to turn the boat toward them. He told his sailors to put wax in their ears so they would hear neither the Sirens’ alluring songs nor Odysseus’ pleas to let him loose. Odysseus still wanted to hear the songs even though he knew following them would lead to his death.
Jason didn’t even hear the siren’s songs because he was listening to Orpheus’ music (with the argonauts). He had something even better than what the Sirens promised him. As Christians we have been given new hearts, and the promises we have received are beyond better than what the world promises us.
spoiledmilks 