This children’s book, based on a true miracle, is a wonderful read! The author, Eric Rodko, has written an inspiring fictional account of a boy we’ve all heard of, but remains a mystery. Have you ever wondered about the boy who shared his lunch with Jesus? The boy who brought what he had and Jesus blessed it to be an abundance on top of an abundance? “A Boy and His Baskets” is the telling of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 5,000 from the perspective of the boy who brought the five loaves of bread and the two fish.
“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?'” John 6:8-9 (NIV)
Eric has conjured a background for the boy that is both realistic and mesmerizing. Giving him the name of Stephen, we’re given a glimpse into what could have been Stephen’s day-to-day reality. We’re introduced to Stephen’s family, the hardships they face, and the sacrifices they each have to make – especially young Stephen.
Instead of being in school, Stephen is trying to sell the homemade baskets his family is known for. He’s reminded, daily, that the burden to provide for his family rests on his young shoulders. His grandfather was held back by age in his desire to help Stephen, and Stephen’s father had become very sick with a long-term illness. Stephen was hoping to feed his family with five small loaves of bread and two small fish, but deep down he was hoping for a miracle.
The author wrote this book – and plans to add two more like it in the future – to spark hope in young boys, as well as those raising young boys. I highly recommend this book – the story is appropriate for children (boys and girls) as young as 6 years old, the illustrations are clean and colorful, and the message overflows with truth and hope. I look forward to adding more books like this one to my home library.