Rating: My bookshelf

Helen L. Taylor’s kid-friendly version of the Pilgrim’s Progress allegory was thoughtfully created, and I especially loved the pictures by Joe Sutphin in my illustrated edition (highly recommended), which adds some lovely backstory to the book. 

I’m not entirely sure that kids will pick up on all the metaphors or understand all the words used to name people (e.g. “Valliant,” “Formalist,” “Hypocrisy”), but it was still a full of ideas that kids can grasp, such as trusting in the Good Prince who takes care of His followers.

Potential Concerns:

  • An owl named “Faithful,” one of Christian’s closest friends, is beat to death for his faith. It is tastefully done, and Faithful knew that death may be on the horizon, and he was faithful even to the end believing he’d soon be with the King.
  • A giant named Despair and his wife are quite terrible creatures, and they hold Christian and his friend captive and plan to hurt them. Christian and his friend escape, but it could still be a bit too much for some kids. (See image below.)
  • A young one grappling with the death of his mother.
  • A father who is too busy to notice his son.

Despite these potential concerns, the story is rich with meaning, hope, and wholesome battles.

pictured above: the giant named Despair. He was one of the scariest creatures Christian encounters on his faith journey.