The Great Carp Escape

If you truly know what a Carp is, then you will know that they are not the most desired fish. In fact, most people who fish for them are out to kill them simply for the sport and they are like the rats of the fresh water system. More pests than anything and not even fit for consumption. It is hard to imagine how there could be a great moral lesson tucked into the pages of this beautifully illustrated children's book that debuts from author Irish Beth Maddock. Yet that is exactly the very point.

In fact, this book was laying on my desk waiting for me to write the review when my 17-year-old daughter picked it up and read it while cleaning one day. She absolutely LOVED it but mostly for the message behind it all. Haven't we all at one time or another simply felt unworthy or unloved? This allegory of the Gospel of Jesus and how He brings us - as represented by the carp - from dead water to living water in this beautifully illustrated book. This is based on a true story that Maddock experienced after her and her brother spent many afternoons playing in the shallows and discovering God's creation. It promotes compassion and appreciation for all of God's creatures, and helps children discover God's love through understanding and community. It reminds us that we are all beautiful and created for a unique purpose in this life that only we can fulfill.

This is a heartwarming story of two children who spend their time looking at the creatures they find in the lake, including the carp, which they discover a dead one while walking along the lake shore with their father. They believe it is truly the ugliest fish they have ever seen. Their dad reminds them that in God's eyes, that fish is pretty wonderful. When a spring thawed causes the water to rise, the children discover some carp are trapped far from the lake and face certain death unless they intervene to save them. How it winds up will have to wait for you to read this book.

I received The Great Carp Escape by Irish Beth Maddock compliments of InChrist Communications and Word Alive Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my unbiased review of the book. I absolutely LOVE how this one is laid out, from the illustrations, the simple words on each page and most of all the very moral of the story itself. It definitely engages an open conversation with parents and their children who are discovering their own worthiness and issues with self esteem. This proves to be that catalyst for those conversations into what makes us each unique and worthwhile to God. For me, this one rates a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and my daughter has taken this for her future library for her own children one day.

For more information about The Great Carp Escape, Irish Beth Maddock or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Great Carp Escape by Irish Beth Maddock 

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