Fabulous and Full of Life!

Everyday, the townspeople of Thrim would ask, “Hey, Yoj, how are you today?”

And everyday, Yoj would answer, “I am fabulous and full of life!”

And why shouldn’t he be?  Yoj was the happy doll maker who awoke each day with a song on his lips and dinner invitations almost every night — until one day a mysterious stranger from the Shadowland arrived with promises of influence and wealth.

Without a thought or a prayer, Yoj followed the stranger to a gray land of small dreams and regret.  Is his happy life in the Kingdom of Thrim forever lost?  Is there hope of joy for the other residents of Shadowland?

Journey through The Kingdom of Thrim with author/illustrator Janis Cox where young readers will learn that you just can’t put a price tag on joy.  When all the color goes out of Yoj’s world, he learns that the path to fulfillment and peace comes through using the unique gifts that God has given.

Opportunities for Family Discussion

The imaginary Kingdom of Thrim comes under the jurisdiction of the God of heaven, which opens the way for conversations about gifting and true happiness.  Yoj’s predicament reminded me of the story of the Gibeonites with whom Joshua threw in his lot without first consulting with God through prayer.  Reading this account as a family is a good follow up to the story.  How are Joshua’s and Yoj’s situations similar?  How are they different?

A number of good biographies have been  written about the life of Eric Liddell, Olympic runner and disciple of Jesus Christ.  He knew all about the joy that comes from doing what God had designed him to do, and is famous for having said, “God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.” After having read both stories, help your children to reach a conclusion about what Yoj would have said, “God made me _____________, and when I __________________, I feel His pleasure.”   Test their awareness of their own unique gifting by asking, “How would you fill in the blanks?”  Be prepared to share your own answers as well!

It’s clear that Yoj and his friends from the Shadowland learned the glorious secret of Colossians 3:23,24:

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The Kingdom of Thrim is the true home of all who put their whole heart and soul into doing what God has designed them to do.

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This book was provided by the author in exchange for my review.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Be sure to visit author Janis Cox’s website for more information about her and her books!

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