Contentment. How’s that going for you? Have you learned to be content with what you have? Have you learned to be content with where God has placed you? Or, maybe I should ask, have you taught your children what it means to be content or given them examples to follow? Every day they see something in a store window, on TV, or at their friends’ houses that they want, or think they need. When we feel discontent, we often forget to seek God first. The same goes with children. Thus, I love books that help teach our children biblical truths like the Kingdom of Thrim.
The Storyline
In the Kingdom of Thrim, Yoj, a doll maker, receives an offer that will make him rich if he will only move to the city. He quickly says yes and makes the move only to realize the wrong he made in his haste. It is a story about contentment, seeking God first, and reaching out to others amidst life’s challenges.
Did Yoj take time to ask his friends?
Did he take time to read his Bible?
Did he take time to ask God?
No, he did not.
Before anyone knew what was happening, Yoj closed his shop in Thrim and left with Serge.
[bctt tweet=”Need help teaching your kids contentment and seeking God first? Read them this! ” username=”kathygossen”]
What Makes the Kingdom of Thrim Special?
- Beautiful Illustrations–As you may recall from my review of Janis Cox’s Tadeo Turtle, Janis does a beautiful job illustrating her books with watercolor paintings.
- Pronunciation Guides–If a word may be difficult for a child to pronounce, a pronunciation guide is provided.
- Definitions–If a word may be hard for a child to understand, a definition is included.
- Hands-on Activities--Janis provides several reinforcement activities at the back of her books to help reinforce her stories. In the Kingdom of Thrim, my daughter decided to make the sock doll since she loves to sew. However, there are other options too, like making a kingdom out of building blocks or getting artistic with crayolas.
- uestions included at the back. “What do you think Yoj learned from his troubles?”
- Research Suggestions–This picture book isn’t just for young children. It can also be a springboard for older elementary students who are learning to do research online. Links are provided to help them learn more about doll-making around the world as well as throughout history.
- Folktale Characteristics–Janis’ stories come across as folk-like in that they are stories with a purpose, and because they are so intriguing. My girls are both evidence of this as they have been caught reading the book again to themselves several times.
You prayed, Oh Lord, I know now that I was wrong to want a different plan than the one You had decided. Please forgive me for not asking You what I should do.
About the Author
Janis Cox is the author and illustrator of two award-winning children’s books, Tadeo Turtle and the Kingdom of Thrim. As a follower of Jesus, she writes, blogs, and podcasts about how believers can grow through studying God’s Word.
She has 3 children and loves being a grandma to many grandchildren which is one reason she created these beautiful children’s books–to help her grandchildren and other children grow in God. She lives with her loving, kind, and exceptionally patient husband in the county of Haliburton in Ontario, Canada with her Maltipoo, Snowball.
You can find her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Have a question or want more reinforcement ideas? Janis is glad to help via email too!
How do you teach your children to seek God first?
ejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
