Sarah Walton, The Long Road Home (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2024).

Jesus loved children. He loved telling stories. And he especially enjoyed teaching his disciples parables. I’m convinced the master storyteller also loves children’s books. This thought occurred to me for the first time while reading Sarah Walton’s new book, The Long Road Home.

The Long Road Home combines the best of Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress and Jesus parable of the prodigal son. The story is recast in a contemporary way for children in the current milieu. Two children named Goodness and Wander are promised an inheritance from their father. Wander grows impatient and demands his inheritance. Like the son in Jesus’ parable, Wander squanders his wealth as he travels to faraway places like the town of Perfection, the city of Prosperity, and the Village of Desperation.

Wander eventually comes to the end of himself, realizing that wealth never satisfies. He returns home and is received by his loving father. A celebration ensues, which enrages his brother, Goodness. The father’s never-ending love is at the center of the story as he expresses his heart to his prideful son, Goodness: “Son, you are loved not because of what you have or haven’t done for me, but because you’re my child. All that I have has always been yours.”

Jerry Bridges said, “Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.” This powerful truth runs through Walton’s beautifully illustrated books (thanks to Christina Yang). Parents are given a golden opportunity to talk about the wonders of the gospel as they walk their children through this beautiful little book. I urge moms and dads to read and re-read The Long Road Home and use it as a springboard for gospel opportunities with their children.