An encouraging message for children: When you feel like you’re the smallest of smalls, Jesus’ love can make you feel like the tallest of talls.
A delightful rhyming story about the Too-Smalls who live in the Stiltsville. Every evening a six, the Too-Smalls meet in the square where they hope they’ll be picked to receive stilts to strut about above the stilt-less masses below. They come to see if they matter-if they’re awesome, if they’re pretty, if they’re clever, or funny. Ollie, the smallest of too-smalls, pleas to be picked. He wants to be like the high-ups of Stiltsville who are proud of their stilts, the ultimate status. But once he gets stilts, oh how it hurts when he stumbles and tumbles and loses his stilts. That is . . . until he meets Jesus who chose low over high telling him, "Keep your feet on the ground. You matter already."
This book for kids coordinates with Max’s trade book, Fearless, releasing in September 2009.
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 24 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Brett (Broken Arrow, OK), February 02, 2010
The Tallest of Smals is Max Lucado’s children’s book based on a parable from his book Fearless. The story follows a young man named Ollie from Stillsville. He and other common people are not considered good enough to join the elite wearing stilts. One day, he is given the opportunity, but it all falls apart. The only person to reach out to him is Jesus. Ollie is reminded he is loved for who he is, not who he could be. The unconditional love of Jesus gives Ollie to joy to see he is loved and considered worthy.
I read the book to my children with mixed reviews. But as the last month has past, they have gone back to the book and enjoyed reading about Ollie. The story of Ollie provoked them to ask questions and see how Jesus also loves them, just as they were created. The illustrations are well done and blend well with the parable. If you are looking for a book to help your child in a time of questioning self worth, The Smallest of Smalls is a good choice. The truth of Christ’s love is correctly described, as we all need reminders that he is glad with us.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bobbie Sue Marotz (Copperas Cove, TX), December 11, 2009
I purchased this book for my granddaughter for Christmas, so I do not have her reaction yet! I loved it and felt it was very approperate, fun and interesting for her. She is learning to read, and this will encourage her.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Emily Greenfield (Forreston, IL), December 04, 2009
My kids loved this book! It has a great message with wonderful illustrations. You can't go wrong with Max Lucado.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Betty Ann Cyr (Edmundston, Nb,), November 30, 2009
Great Book!
The story is cool for all small children and adults! And the pictures are amazing!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by michelle C (London, ON, Canada), November 15, 2009
First impressions of the thin hard cover version I received was the bright simple yet detailed illustrations went along well with the story. I had read parts of the story previously in Max's book Fearless. The illustrations made the story come even more alive. The message of the story spoke to both myself and the little ones. The size of the book is perfect to cuddle upon the couch with the kids. The font of the text was simple yet creative enough to still entertain the kids and adults alike.
Such a wonderful message revealed in the story to remind young and old that they are important and they do not need to be elevated in position, in status or with stuff. This story reminds you the story of Jesus. Jesus came to this world for each of us. I would recommend this book to anyone who may need a reminder they are important and how much they matter.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Annalise (Everett, WA), November 08, 2009
This book is delightful story of rhyme that focuses upon how you don't have to fit in because God has made you special.
In this book, Ollie is a little boy who is waiting to get some stilts so that he can fit in with those who are cool. After all, everyone who is cool walks upon stilts in this town and it is the best gift anyone can get in Stiltsville. One day Ollie's name is called and he recieves his stilts but soon he finds that he can't manage the slilts and falls. The stilts were then taken and he feels like he is no longer special until Jesus comes along and shows him how special he is.
Most children will understand all the words in this book. The pictures will capture any child's attention and imagination. I think what had me give this book 4.5 stars rather than 5 is the fact that I feel this story could have added onto the point to help a child understand that they don't have to fit in to be special. The message does come across but it is not as powerful as I would have liked to have see.
However, overall this book was one that we definately will keep on the shelves for constant reading.
1 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jonathan S (Tucson, AZ), November 07, 2009
A Parable that comes up short. he children’s “parable” The Tallest of smalls written by Max Lucado and Illustrated by Maria Monescillo, tries to reflect the theme of Lucado’s Fearless. It’s more of a rhyming sing-song story then a parable, which is an earthly story that has a heavenly meaning. The intended message or heavenly meaning of being accepted in God’s eyes no matter our stature is completely lost in this hard to follow story. The high point of the book is the over the top illustrations done by Monescillo. They are both colorful and imaginative. These were the only things that tried to get and keep the attention of my two two year old twins, but about half way through they were back over to the book shelf picking something else out. So I then invited my 11 year old son to give it a read through, and his quote was that it “didn’t make sense, until the end..I mean only the end made sense.” I am not recommending this book to anyone simply because the story fails to convey the message that was intended and it’s not a very good story overall.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jean (Wiscosnin), November 06, 2009
The Tallest of Smalls is a delightful story about Ollie, the smallest of the Two-Smalls who live in a land called Stiltsville. Every evening, the Too-Smalls meet in the town circle where they hope they’ll be chosen to be good enough to receive stilts. Ollie begs to be picked. He wants to be like the high-ups of Stiltsville who are proud of their stilts and their ultimate status. But once he gets them, oh how it hurts when he stumbles and tumbles and loses them.
The Tallest of Smalls is a useful book for parents to share with their children. The message is clear: You are fine just the way you are! You don't need to be in the cool-crowd to matter, and when you feel left out or bullied, you are not alone. Jesus is right there, smiling, putting his arm around you and walking with you everyday.
Note: This book for kids coordinates with Max's adult trade book, Fearless, which released in September 2009.
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