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Tales of the Kingdom #1-3
Kingdom Tales By David and Karen Mains Teacher's Edition
Tales of the KingdomTales of the ResistanceTales of the Restorationwith Discussion Questions by My Father's World
214 pages, Spiral-bound
First published January 1, 2008
23 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
David R. Mains
61 books23 followersDavid R. Mains has been dedicating himself for spiritual growth development programs that disturb ordinary presumptions. During the year 1967 he built an experimental church in a Teamster’s Union Hall in West Chicago. Some church-planting specialists proclaimed that it can't be done but then with a few supporters, the church has grown from only 27 until 500 for ten years.
Mains' system is advanced that he joined together worship with arts and media. He implement a system to service planning focusing one concept making the entire worship communication into just a single but valuable idea. Lay people were invited and brainstorm sermons and he firmly incorporated that each sermon should include practical ideas so it will be integrated with everyday living as Christians.
During the year 1977, Mains replaced his uncle John D. Jess as Director of a national radio broadcast, The Chapel of the Air. He then started to use religious media that would boost spirituality on every listener.
Mains transformed broadcasting as a service to the local church rather than competing them. He then began to train a team to do on-air voices which includes his wife, Karen Mains.
Several experts again warned him that such a service can’t be done but then he was thrilled when the first Spiritual Adventure he implemented had reach 7,000 participants.
Mains has been a Christian communicator and his passion was always for the local church to experience the living presence of Jesus Christ. A pastor once gave him a gratitude for putting his own personal agenda to serve for the good of the local church.
Now, Mains resigned from the broadcast and created Mainstay Ministries which dedicated to help church leaders and its people by several growth tools and training seminars. He established Team Sundays where every church goer would experience a life changing Sunday. His goal in Mainstay Ministries was to help pastors be effective in preaching.
Visit David Mains Mainstay Ministries the - Sunday Solutions. He also put up several resources for pastors called Sermon Series and Sermon Coach. He also established a mentoring ministry for men and women called Hungry Souls.
Mains' system is advanced that he joined together worship with arts and media. He implement a system to service planning focusing one concept making the entire worship communication into just a single but valuable idea. Lay people were invited and brainstorm sermons and he firmly incorporated that each sermon should include practical ideas so it will be integrated with everyday living as Christians.
During the year 1977, Mains replaced his uncle John D. Jess as Director of a national radio broadcast, The Chapel of the Air. He then started to use religious media that would boost spirituality on every listener.
Mains transformed broadcasting as a service to the local church rather than competing them. He then began to train a team to do on-air voices which includes his wife, Karen Mains.
Several experts again warned him that such a service can’t be done but then he was thrilled when the first Spiritual Adventure he implemented had reach 7,000 participants.
Mains has been a Christian communicator and his passion was always for the local church to experience the living presence of Jesus Christ. A pastor once gave him a gratitude for putting his own personal agenda to serve for the good of the local church.
Now, Mains resigned from the broadcast and created Mainstay Ministries which dedicated to help church leaders and its people by several growth tools and training seminars. He established Team Sundays where every church goer would experience a life changing Sunday. His goal in Mainstay Ministries was to help pastors be effective in preaching.
Visit David Mains Mainstay Ministries the - Sunday Solutions. He also put up several resources for pastors called Sermon Series and Sermon Coach. He also established a mentoring ministry for men and women called Hungry Souls.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 15, 2020
2020: This was my 3rd time through this book, reading aloud to my children. There are some stories in this collection that make me cry every time (Amanda and the Dragon). Many of the stories are memorable (Carney, the juggler clown, the baker, the grandma vigilantes). I love the characterization of the king, the beauty of great park, the description of the restoration. Great book!!
June 16, 2021
I cannot sing the praises of this book enough. Everytime I read one of its stories, I cry. It’s. A beautiful metaphor for a Christian life. We loved learning about all of the characters and their journeys. Some of the stories were deeply convicting and thought provoking. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone!
March 22, 2024
Great Christian fairy tales! (5 stars)
David & Karen Mains’ Kingdom Tales consist of three volumes: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. First published in hardcover in 1983, 1986 & 1996 with delightful illustrations by Jack Stockman, these three books have also been reissued in softcover in 2000, with a limited number of black-and-white illustrations by Linda Wells which don’t do much to enhance the text.
Each volume consists of twelve fantasy short stories, set in a city ruled by an evil Enchanter who has usurped the throne from the true King. The stories are all separate events often involving different characters, but are bound together as part of a larger story as the Enchanted City is rescued by the exiled King and becomes the Bright City, leading to a joyous conclusion as the people of Great Park and Bright City begin the Great Celebration at the conclusion of the Restoration. The main returning character is Scarboy, an orphan boy who escapes from the Enchanted City with his brother, Little Child, and becomes Hero in the service of the King.
Although the stories have distinctive allegorical qualities, they are more like religious fables or fairy tales, drawing on the imagery of the kingdom that Jesus Christ Himself taught in His ministry. Under the influence of the evil Enchanter, the people of the Enchanted City prefer darkness to the light, and so sleep during the day and work at night. But the King is at work delivering the city and rescuing the poor and needy and bringing them to the Great Park. Even though the Enchanter’s men proclaim “There is no such thing as a King”, the King’s men know “that “Things are not what they seem.” They realize that even though the Enchanter had said “Seeing is believing”, reality is different: “You have to believe in order to see.” Christians will understand that these are important spiritual truths about faith and serving the King Jesus Christ.
Each volume has some stories that were especially memorable. Volume 1 describes how Sarboy escapes the Enchanted City, where orphaned and handicapped children are enslaved. In the Great Park he discovers the wonderful truth about God’s kingdom. One of my favorites in this volume was “The Baker who Loved Bread”, which describes the King’s Baker who bakes the King’s Bread, but withholds this bread from poor and needy people, thinking he is doing a service to the king by doing so. When he beats a person whom he believes to be a thief about to steal his bread, he discovers that he has actually harmed the King himself, and learns an important lesson: “Love for the King is measured by one’s love for his people. So the Baker fed the hungry and fed them well – lest the One he loved the most should starve.” This concept is very clearly based on Christ’s teaching in Matthew 25.
In Volume 2, Hero leaves the safety of Great Park to return to the darkness of Enchanted City, and work for the restoration of the Kingdom. Here he joins the Taxi Resistance, where those who follow the Kingsways rescue the Lost from the Enchanted City. The climax comes in the last two stories, “Traffic Court” and “The Burning Place”, where the King himself is captured by the Enchanter, placed on trial, and burned to death. Just when all who have loved and served the King have lost all hope, the King comes back to life, and glorious day falls upon Enchanted City. This event of New Day Rising breaks the enchantment, and is of course a clear image of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
With the lifting of the enchantment, the Enchanted City has become the Bright City and in Volume 3 the evil Enchanter has been vanquished to the Garbage Dump outside the city, but he and his henchmen still attack the city and try to penetrate its protection. One of the most memorable tales is “Mudslinging”, which describes how some of the King’s People in the Bright City are throwing mud at each other. In the middle of the chaos, is a streetcleaner, who cleans the mud from the street in the middle of the fight. The mudslinging stops when it becomes evident that the cleaner is the King himself. The lesson is clearer than mud: Frivolous arguments among fellow believers about who serves God best can detract from their real task in serving God’s kingdom, and grieve the King Himself.
How successful these stories are on their own apart from the underlying spiritual truths is hard to tell. The moral of the stories is generally quite transparent, although in the case of a few tales it is rather obscure. But on the whole the message about serving and honouring the King Jesus Christ comes through loud and clear. I found the stories thoroughly enjoyable particularly because of this deeper meaning. I suspect that those who don’t appreciate the deeper meaning will find it hard to enjoy the tales as stand-alone stories for their own sake. The concept is similar to the Narnia Chronicles, although not with the same degree of success, because the Narnian stories can also function on the level of stories alone. But although the world isn’t as fantastic as C.S. Lewis’ Narnia, Narnian fans may find themselves appreciating the Kingdom Tales of the Mains for the same reasons: the spiritual depth. They will certainly lead to a greater love for the King and His Kingdom!
David & Karen Mains’ Kingdom Tales consist of three volumes: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. First published in hardcover in 1983, 1986 & 1996 with delightful illustrations by Jack Stockman, these three books have also been reissued in softcover in 2000, with a limited number of black-and-white illustrations by Linda Wells which don’t do much to enhance the text.
Each volume consists of twelve fantasy short stories, set in a city ruled by an evil Enchanter who has usurped the throne from the true King. The stories are all separate events often involving different characters, but are bound together as part of a larger story as the Enchanted City is rescued by the exiled King and becomes the Bright City, leading to a joyous conclusion as the people of Great Park and Bright City begin the Great Celebration at the conclusion of the Restoration. The main returning character is Scarboy, an orphan boy who escapes from the Enchanted City with his brother, Little Child, and becomes Hero in the service of the King.
Although the stories have distinctive allegorical qualities, they are more like religious fables or fairy tales, drawing on the imagery of the kingdom that Jesus Christ Himself taught in His ministry. Under the influence of the evil Enchanter, the people of the Enchanted City prefer darkness to the light, and so sleep during the day and work at night. But the King is at work delivering the city and rescuing the poor and needy and bringing them to the Great Park. Even though the Enchanter’s men proclaim “There is no such thing as a King”, the King’s men know “that “Things are not what they seem.” They realize that even though the Enchanter had said “Seeing is believing”, reality is different: “You have to believe in order to see.” Christians will understand that these are important spiritual truths about faith and serving the King Jesus Christ.
Each volume has some stories that were especially memorable. Volume 1 describes how Sarboy escapes the Enchanted City, where orphaned and handicapped children are enslaved. In the Great Park he discovers the wonderful truth about God’s kingdom. One of my favorites in this volume was “The Baker who Loved Bread”, which describes the King’s Baker who bakes the King’s Bread, but withholds this bread from poor and needy people, thinking he is doing a service to the king by doing so. When he beats a person whom he believes to be a thief about to steal his bread, he discovers that he has actually harmed the King himself, and learns an important lesson: “Love for the King is measured by one’s love for his people. So the Baker fed the hungry and fed them well – lest the One he loved the most should starve.” This concept is very clearly based on Christ’s teaching in Matthew 25.
In Volume 2, Hero leaves the safety of Great Park to return to the darkness of Enchanted City, and work for the restoration of the Kingdom. Here he joins the Taxi Resistance, where those who follow the Kingsways rescue the Lost from the Enchanted City. The climax comes in the last two stories, “Traffic Court” and “The Burning Place”, where the King himself is captured by the Enchanter, placed on trial, and burned to death. Just when all who have loved and served the King have lost all hope, the King comes back to life, and glorious day falls upon Enchanted City. This event of New Day Rising breaks the enchantment, and is of course a clear image of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
With the lifting of the enchantment, the Enchanted City has become the Bright City and in Volume 3 the evil Enchanter has been vanquished to the Garbage Dump outside the city, but he and his henchmen still attack the city and try to penetrate its protection. One of the most memorable tales is “Mudslinging”, which describes how some of the King’s People in the Bright City are throwing mud at each other. In the middle of the chaos, is a streetcleaner, who cleans the mud from the street in the middle of the fight. The mudslinging stops when it becomes evident that the cleaner is the King himself. The lesson is clearer than mud: Frivolous arguments among fellow believers about who serves God best can detract from their real task in serving God’s kingdom, and grieve the King Himself.
How successful these stories are on their own apart from the underlying spiritual truths is hard to tell. The moral of the stories is generally quite transparent, although in the case of a few tales it is rather obscure. But on the whole the message about serving and honouring the King Jesus Christ comes through loud and clear. I found the stories thoroughly enjoyable particularly because of this deeper meaning. I suspect that those who don’t appreciate the deeper meaning will find it hard to enjoy the tales as stand-alone stories for their own sake. The concept is similar to the Narnia Chronicles, although not with the same degree of success, because the Narnian stories can also function on the level of stories alone. But although the world isn’t as fantastic as C.S. Lewis’ Narnia, Narnian fans may find themselves appreciating the Kingdom Tales of the Mains for the same reasons: the spiritual depth. They will certainly lead to a greater love for the King and His Kingdom!
July 11, 2024
My daughter loved reading these tales as part of our homeschooling and was disappointed when we took a break from it in the curriculum, I had to let her know we were going to finish it up later in the school year.
Each short story has a moral, but it is wrapped in such unique tales that you can't help but enjoy the unusual world the author has created, yet easily displays the meaning behind it all. Then all the short stories are combined to show you the community that the author has created - all connected, yet individual because they have their own life experiences and gifts. I've never seen a book display a community of people in this manner and it was magnificently done.
Though these are simple tales, the morals are profound. It reminds me of something I had read a while back, something along the lines of 'sometimes hard subjects/messages can only be covered by a children's book.' I know I butchered that, but the point still stands. My favorite moral was the story of the Princes and the Dragon - if I remember the title of the tale correctly, but that one hit because essentially it was the thing that she loved most that pulled her away from everything else that she had once loved around her but it was also the thing that caused her the most pain.
Some stories were a little slower but still taught great lessons and the review questions helped to clarify (because it provides the answers) any lessons that were a little more difficult to figure out.
We absolutely loved this book.
Each short story has a moral, but it is wrapped in such unique tales that you can't help but enjoy the unusual world the author has created, yet easily displays the meaning behind it all. Then all the short stories are combined to show you the community that the author has created - all connected, yet individual because they have their own life experiences and gifts. I've never seen a book display a community of people in this manner and it was magnificently done.
Though these are simple tales, the morals are profound. It reminds me of something I had read a while back, something along the lines of 'sometimes hard subjects/messages can only be covered by a children's book.' I know I butchered that, but the point still stands. My favorite moral was the story of the Princes and the Dragon - if I remember the title of the tale correctly, but that one hit because essentially it was the thing that she loved most that pulled her away from everything else that she had once loved around her but it was also the thing that caused her the most pain.
Some stories were a little slower but still taught great lessons and the review questions helped to clarify (because it provides the answers) any lessons that were a little more difficult to figure out.
We absolutely loved this book.
January 31, 2023
This publication is a three-in-one book: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, Tales of the Restoration by David & Karen Mains; published beginning in 1983 they have long been favorites of mine. Written for older children they are an allegory of the Christian life and tell the story of Scarboy (Hero) and his brother Little Child (Hunter) along with other characters they meet along the way. It centers mainly on the salvation of the two brothers, their life in Christ as baby Christians, their spiritual growth, and eventual spiritual maturity. I love the stories and the truths they contain.
This edition is spiral bound and includes questions at the end of each chapter that homeschoolers can use in going through this material with their children, even including suggestions on a couple of chapters for simply retelling them as they are more intense and may frighten younger children.
The original books are quite expensive now and not easily obtainable. The availability of them in this three-in-one book is a gift to anyone who wants to read them and to homeschoolers who are looking for quality material to use in their classrooms. There are no illustrations as there are in the original books but I wasn't wild about the original artwork anyway. This is meant to be a read aloud story in the classroom or by parents who are discipling their children. Highly recommended.
This edition is spiral bound and includes questions at the end of each chapter that homeschoolers can use in going through this material with their children, even including suggestions on a couple of chapters for simply retelling them as they are more intense and may frighten younger children.
The original books are quite expensive now and not easily obtainable. The availability of them in this three-in-one book is a gift to anyone who wants to read them and to homeschoolers who are looking for quality material to use in their classrooms. There are no illustrations as there are in the original books but I wasn't wild about the original artwork anyway. This is meant to be a read aloud story in the classroom or by parents who are discipling their children. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2018
Scarboy and his brother, Little Child, have just lost their mother. With no father or mother to care for them, they become wards of the evil Enchanter and the Enchanted City. Scarboy’s mother used to tell him stories of an exiled king. When presented the opportunity, Scarboy and Little Child take the chance to go and find the king their mother told them about.
This is a very interesting allegorical story. I am surprised I have never heard of it before.
I thought this book might be another good one to read to my kids, but they didn’t particularly like it or understand all of the connections. I believe now that they may be too young for it.
The illustrations are very detailed. Filled with the colors that reflect the situations of the world. The people are full of life and the illustrations bring that forth, including the darker parts.
I would have to give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia novels.
I received my copy of this book from BookCrash.com for the sole purpose of providing an honest review.
stephanietiner.weebly.com
This is a very interesting allegorical story. I am surprised I have never heard of it before.
I thought this book might be another good one to read to my kids, but they didn’t particularly like it or understand all of the connections. I believe now that they may be too young for it.
The illustrations are very detailed. Filled with the colors that reflect the situations of the world. The people are full of life and the illustrations bring that forth, including the darker parts.
I would have to give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia novels.
I received my copy of this book from BookCrash.com for the sole purpose of providing an honest review.
stephanietiner.weebly.com
February 5, 2025
Read aloud to T(9). Along the lines of Little Pilgrim’s Progress or Narnia, this trilogy in one binding is a metaphorical tale of good vs. evil, faith, life, friendships, persecutions, trials, and learning about the King along the way. There are discussion questions after each chapter that help the reader or listener think about how the story relates to real life as a Christian.
I gave only 4 stars because at times it felt wordy, unnecessarily lengthy, or even redundant. A few of the metaphors could be weird if the logic was followed all the way through. But overall a thought provoking and edifying tale of heroism for the glory of God.
I gave only 4 stars because at times it felt wordy, unnecessarily lengthy, or even redundant. A few of the metaphors could be weird if the logic was followed all the way through. But overall a thought provoking and edifying tale of heroism for the glory of God.
August 8, 2019
Not the best written allegory but we valued the message it brought.
Recommended with our homeschool curriculum, My Father's World, in one specific curriculum year but could be read anytime. There's a blend of eras- heralds, jugglers, open street theater of days of old and taxis, power plants, and such of modern times.
Read with my 11, 8.5, and 6 year olds. Most was over my 6 year old's head. She was rarely able to answer any of the provided discussion questions. But she loves storytime anyway and eagerly listened.
Recommended with our homeschool curriculum, My Father's World, in one specific curriculum year but could be read anytime. There's a blend of eras- heralds, jugglers, open street theater of days of old and taxis, power plants, and such of modern times.
Read with my 11, 8.5, and 6 year olds. Most was over my 6 year old's head. She was rarely able to answer any of the provided discussion questions. But she loves storytime anyway and eagerly listened.
July 20, 2025
We read this book as part of our homeschool lessons with My Father's World.
We thoroughly enjoyed it! It was a great read aloud and the inclusion of the discussion questions by MFW were fantastic. Even though this is three books in one, everything was connected and we always wanted to read the next chapter. If I wasn't following a specific lesson plan, we would have read it in a few weeks. Our children always wanted to hear more.
I would highly recommend Kingdtom Tales.
We thoroughly enjoyed it! It was a great read aloud and the inclusion of the discussion questions by MFW were fantastic. Even though this is three books in one, everything was connected and we always wanted to read the next chapter. If I wasn't following a specific lesson plan, we would have read it in a few weeks. Our children always wanted to hear more.
I would highly recommend Kingdtom Tales.
October 9, 2025
Have started this book 3 times in the last 10 years as a read aloud with the kids and finally made it through the last half and finished it this time. Some of these stories are so, so good. A few are just ok. The first 3rd is definitely the strongest.
May 9, 2017
This is a great allegory for children. All of my children truly enjoyed this and begged for more every day!
February 17, 2020
This is a wonderful read-aloud with children. I've read it with 2nd and 4th grade boys. It's a spiritual allegory that is encouraging to read!
September 28, 2020
Book One is great. Book Two is fine. Book Three is terrible: bad writing, bad allegory, bad ending.
February 19, 2021
Not quite as magical as I remember when I listened to it read aloud as a child. But the vision of kingdom living is prophetic.
May 18, 2021
At times some of the made-up words from this kingdom are hard to follow for the kids, so I changed them to normal words as I read.
December 14, 2022
This book was my childhood😭
August 5, 2023
An absolutely delightful and heartwarming yet deep-delving allegory into the Christian life.
February 10, 2023
Though at first glance a little bit unique, once you enter and experience this kingdom, you will never be the same. Great allegory. Highly recommended for older children and teens.
October 9, 2023
One of my favorite series ever! 😍
November 13, 2022
Beautiful, deeply moving allegory that is most excellently written. A great read-aloud. Some parts are too intense for little ones, but those chapters have a warning to preview and edit as necessary.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews