The Sleeping Rose

by Angela Elwell Hunt, Chuck Gillies (Illustrator)

While nurturing his beautiful rose which the king invited him to show to the entire kingdom, Baldrik learns the lesson that kindness is more important than praise

Genres: Christian, Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy

Hardcover

First published September 8, 1998

About the author

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 165 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels.

Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Turner and Hooch and Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City.

Afterward, the dog gave out pawtographs at the airport.

Angela admits to being fascinated by animals, medicine, psychology, unexplained phenomena, and “just about everything” except sports. Books, she says, have always shaped her life— in the fifth grade she learned how to flirt from reading Gone with the Wind.

Her books have won the coveted Christy Award, several Angel Awards from Excellence in Media, and the Gold and Silver Medallions from Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year Award. In 2007, her novel The Note was featured as a Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, and American Christian Fiction Writers bestowed the same award in 2019.

In 2006, Angela completed her Master of Biblical Studies in Theology degree and completed her second doctorate in 2015. When she’s not home reading or writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book since I was a child. It was one of the first books my mom would read to me and as I got older I've re-read this book over and over again. It's a simple story but beautiful and teaches a lesson that has stuck with me my whole life.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lesson: People matter more than praise
Text to text: Matthew 25:35-40
35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

[Gena Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story based on the story from the New Testament Jesus taught about clothing the naked, helping the poor and when we do these things, we have done it unto Jesus.
Beautifully illustrated.

[Pink Leaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of in the same vein as the short story “The Baker Who Loved Bread” from the book “Tales of the Kingdom” by David and Karen Mains— except, I really love that one!

[Daphne Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever loved something so much that it became more important than anything else in your life?


This unique tale of a beautiful white rose that is requested by the King and Queen prove that sometimes the most beautiful thing can be found in the most surprising place.

Baldrik spends his entire time caring for the most perfect rose plant during winter. Its one and only bloom opens on the first day of May. So famous is the rose, that the King and Queen invites Baldrik to their castle. Soon Baldrik's hobby becomes an obsession since his dream has always been to be a master gardener for the royal gardens.

Through his concern for the rose his pride rises and he forgets about his compassion for those around him. Then the unthinkable happens, and the rose refuses to bloom, but it is the love and thankfulness of a beggar that shows Baldrik that the most important thing in life is love and compassion for others.

This is just a short, little story, but it wallops an impact on the heart. The art is astounding in its detail. I pulled this book off the shelf, having forgotten that I owned it. I curled up on my bed and read it, enjoyed the artwork, and pondered the story and the meaning behind the words. Especially during this Christmas season.

~~
"You have chosen the right thing," the stranger said, a smile lighting his eyes. "People matter more than praise. Know this, Baldrik Macklin--anytime you offer help to a needy soul, you have offered it to me."

With great and gentle dignity the man turned and walked away. As the crowd buzzed with the sound of people exclaiming over the beauty of the radiant rose, Baldrik marveled over the stranger's parting words...and the tender touch of the man's nail-scarred hands.
~~ The Sleeping Rose by Angela Elwell Hunt published 1998 by Tommy Nelson, division of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

This is one more book that will forever sit on my shelf....

[Alisha]

This is a story about a beggar being the savior, and a king who wants to see a single rose.

I don't want to be unkind, so I will say nothing.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lesson: People matter more than praise

Virtue: Kindness