Come Down, Little Bear
by Joanne Hyunjoo Lee
WestBow Press


"But the larks noisy with crumbs were all that he could see."

A curious little bear travels to find out what he can see in Lee's charming children's book with equally charming illustrations done by Elizabeth Suh. The vibrant colors used for the animals and the different places the little bear travels to are perfect for keeping young children occupied. In this story, the little bear travels around to the mountains, the park, a cave, hills, up the road, and so on.

The little bear shares everything he sees with the reader, and near the end, he's up a tree looking around. There, he hears a voice. It's Mr. Crown, who tells him to come down because he's there to see him at his house. Mr. Crown is, in fact, an allegorical depiction of Jesus. The story ends with Luke 19:5, where Jesus tells Zacchaeus to come down from the tree he's climbed because he's going to his house today. This story can be seen as the little bear searching not for what was out in the world, but, in reality, for a relationship with Jesus.

Lee's book is an interesting and simple way to introduce young children to Jesus and one of the Bible's stories about him. Not only that, but the transformation of Zacchaeus, a shady tax collector who decides to change his ways and give back to those he has wronged, provides a good moral lesson for any child. The book as a whole will keep young children entertained because the author keeps them wondering what the little bear will see next, while Christian parents will appreciate the message it conveys. Overall, Lee's writing is clear and concise, making for an easy read with a powerful message for young readers.

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