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Little Pilgrim's Progress: From John Bunyan's Classic, SAMPLER
34 pages, ebook
First published December 10, 2012
31 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Helen L. Taylor
6 books13 followersIn 1947, Helen L. Taylor took John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress and simplified the vocabulary and concepts for young readers, while keeping the storyline intact. The result was a classic in itself, which has now sold over 600,000 copies.
It’s both a simple adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life, a delightful read with a message kids ages 6 to 12 can understand and remember. Ms. Taylor has carefully rewritten a centuries-old tale in order that children might be able to grasp the truths set out by John Bunyan in 1678.
It’s both a simple adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life, a delightful read with a message kids ages 6 to 12 can understand and remember. Ms. Taylor has carefully rewritten a centuries-old tale in order that children might be able to grasp the truths set out by John Bunyan in 1678.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 20, 2023
My husband and I read this to the kids (5 and under) before bed over the course of a few months. I really enjoyed this book!
April 27, 2021
The book that I read is a rendition of an old classic book from the 1600s called "The Pilgrim's Progress." The author of this well-known book is John Bunyan, who was known for being a prominent preacher and is a Puritan. His work received a lot of praise, and even after years have passed, renditions and shortened versions of the book were published. One of them is "The Little Pilgrim's Progress," made in the 1800s by none other than Helen L. Taylor, a children's book author.
The story "Little Pilgrim's Progress" is a book that talks about the expedition of a boy named Christian who wanted to remove the heavy burden he was feeling. Listening to the Evangelist's advice, he departed away from the City of Destruction, his hometown. Starting from the Wicket's Gate, he travelled till he reached the "Cross" that removed all of his burdens upon seeing it. After that, it was his goal to reach Celestial City, facing numerous trials and temptations along the way. He was later accompanied by Faithful, and later Hopeful after Faithful died in Vanity Fair. After facing complex roadblocks along the way, they finally got to the River of Death which tests their faith. As they traversed through the river, they met two Shining Ones in the end and welcomed them in Celestial City with trumpets and loud noises to commemorate their arrival.
The theme portrayed in the journey of Christian is the cost of salvation. Little Pilgrim's Progress illustrates the road to the Celestial City as a narrow and bumpy road where travelling is not easy. Additionally, a true Christian must know that the narrow path comes with a great cost. He must be willing to lose everything and pay no matter what the cost is. The sin of man should not keep him from attaining the riches of Heaven.
The special thing about this book for me is the real-life scenarios and their application. The story accurately shows the believers' journey who follow God’s way to the end. It gives me a deeper understanding of how God will allow circumstances to happen in your life to fulfil His plan for you. He wouldn't allow you to give you challenges that you can't handle. I realized that God will guide you in your plan as long as you are willing to go His way. I know He will give me the strength and knowledge to face the turmoil that life throws at me. This book has equipped me with a better understanding of the path that God has planned for me.
One cannot simply ignore the message of this beautiful book. Reading it gives you the feeling of a journey of a believer of Christ, a narrow and bumpy road where trials and temptations come about. It portraits the life of a true Christian believer and that the Lord will allow challenges to come into your life to test your faith. This book, for me, is a life-changing experience, a book that answers many of my questions about my journey with Him. It also helped me change my viewpoint about the world and focus on things above."The Little Pilgrim's Progress" is definitely a book that people should know and read.
The story "Little Pilgrim's Progress" is a book that talks about the expedition of a boy named Christian who wanted to remove the heavy burden he was feeling. Listening to the Evangelist's advice, he departed away from the City of Destruction, his hometown. Starting from the Wicket's Gate, he travelled till he reached the "Cross" that removed all of his burdens upon seeing it. After that, it was his goal to reach Celestial City, facing numerous trials and temptations along the way. He was later accompanied by Faithful, and later Hopeful after Faithful died in Vanity Fair. After facing complex roadblocks along the way, they finally got to the River of Death which tests their faith. As they traversed through the river, they met two Shining Ones in the end and welcomed them in Celestial City with trumpets and loud noises to commemorate their arrival.
The theme portrayed in the journey of Christian is the cost of salvation. Little Pilgrim's Progress illustrates the road to the Celestial City as a narrow and bumpy road where travelling is not easy. Additionally, a true Christian must know that the narrow path comes with a great cost. He must be willing to lose everything and pay no matter what the cost is. The sin of man should not keep him from attaining the riches of Heaven.
The special thing about this book for me is the real-life scenarios and their application. The story accurately shows the believers' journey who follow God’s way to the end. It gives me a deeper understanding of how God will allow circumstances to happen in your life to fulfil His plan for you. He wouldn't allow you to give you challenges that you can't handle. I realized that God will guide you in your plan as long as you are willing to go His way. I know He will give me the strength and knowledge to face the turmoil that life throws at me. This book has equipped me with a better understanding of the path that God has planned for me.
One cannot simply ignore the message of this beautiful book. Reading it gives you the feeling of a journey of a believer of Christ, a narrow and bumpy road where trials and temptations come about. It portraits the life of a true Christian believer and that the Lord will allow challenges to come into your life to test your faith. This book, for me, is a life-changing experience, a book that answers many of my questions about my journey with Him. It also helped me change my viewpoint about the world and focus on things above."The Little Pilgrim's Progress" is definitely a book that people should know and read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2020
Note: I rate books based on my experience of the book when I read it. If I re-read them, I note the difference in ratings if there is one.
I remember loving this book as a kid. I think I would give it one or two stars now. It does not stand up to re-reading from an adult perspective. It's a little too on-the-nose to enjoy as an adult. For example, Christiana has a little sister named "Innocence" and is at times accompanied by "Feeble-Minded". I mean, that is just setting the kid up for failure.
My aunt gave me my edition in 1982 and it has no date listed on the publisher page! I'm cleaning up the house and garage, choosing what to keep and let go. Even though I loved Christian's adventures as a kid, and I feel a little guilty giving away a present, I'm letting this one go.
I remember loving this book as a kid. I think I would give it one or two stars now. It does not stand up to re-reading from an adult perspective. It's a little too on-the-nose to enjoy as an adult. For example, Christiana has a little sister named "Innocence" and is at times accompanied by "Feeble-Minded". I mean, that is just setting the kid up for failure.
My aunt gave me my edition in 1982 and it has no date listed on the publisher page! I'm cleaning up the house and garage, choosing what to keep and let go. Even though I loved Christian's adventures as a kid, and I feel a little guilty giving away a present, I'm letting this one go.
October 23, 2020
As a boy, I read this, being enamored by the many interesting stories and characters.
As a man, I read this being humbled by how many evil characters I used to abide in; how many I occasionally became.
This version of Pilgrim's Progress contains many of the original images from the version I read as a boy, which was a treat.
It presents layers and layers of theology in parable, in a way that readers of all ages can relate to, remember, and hopefully learn from.
This is a must read.
As a man, I read this being humbled by how many evil characters I used to abide in; how many I occasionally became.
This version of Pilgrim's Progress contains many of the original images from the version I read as a boy, which was a treat.
It presents layers and layers of theology in parable, in a way that readers of all ages can relate to, remember, and hopefully learn from.
This is a must read.
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December 31, 2019People from the Celestial city is persuading people from the city of destruction to go to Celestial city.
Little Christan is going to Celestial city. He meets a lot of danger. Christina, Christians friend a little bit later goes to Celestial city with her brothers, sisters, friends, and strangers.
Little Christan is going to Celestial city. He meets a lot of danger. Christina, Christians friend a little bit later goes to Celestial city with her brothers, sisters, friends, and strangers.
November 23, 2023
A grand introduction for young children to enter a walk of faith through sincere storytelling and allegory. Only a pity that one of the giants from the original work meant to signify a persistently looming spiritual threat was omitted altogether. May parents have discernments and not make the same dismissal as this author had done.
That said, riveting read.
That said, riveting read.
April 14, 2019
This was a wonderful introduction to John Bunyan's classic. My kids enjoyed reading it and we were able to have many great discussions. My six-year-old seemed the most taken by it and calls the book his.
May 14, 2023
I LOVED this book. The only reason I rated it four instead of five stars is because I took issue with some of the theological stands the author takes (for instance, that suicide results in a loss of salvation). I would still absolutely recommend it. I really enjoyed reading it with my son.
July 6, 2020
I enjoyed reading this to the kids. Not sure they got everything from it but great truths.
February 19, 2022
Another great read aloud for me and my kids.
March 27, 2022
My kids really enjoyed it
April 28, 2022
This was a great book to read as a family. Some of the concepts were hard for children to grasp but it lead to great discussions.
January 13, 2025
A wonderful story. Amazing artwork.
June 3, 2025
My 3rd grader and I loved the short chapters and relating all the themes to real life.
July 31, 2025
My daughter first read it in yr 1 for homeschooling. It's a book that I would read more then once. Easier read but the message is what is important. There were tears!
December 22, 2019
Journey. The story of Christian and Christiana journey from the City of Destruction to Celestial City.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2024
Easily one of the best books I’ve ever read. Powerful, filled with hope and encouragement.
April 11, 2014
Little Pilgrim’s Progress, by Helen L. Taylor is a book that my newly 12-year-old son Jonah absolutely could not put the book down. He would quickly finish school and chores to go and spend time with Christian and Christina, Hopeful, and many more. When Jonah would go missing, he was found reading Little Pilgrim’s Progress.
Jonah loved reading about Christian going into Celestial City because Christian is reunited with his mother. He also loved reading about Hopeful and Christian when the crossed the Dark River. He liked that part because the Prince helped them cross it. There are many more area’s in the Little Pilgrim’s Progress that he just loved. He and I give this 5 stars!
Jonah loved reading about Christian going into Celestial City because Christian is reunited with his mother. He also loved reading about Hopeful and Christian when the crossed the Dark River. He liked that part because the Prince helped them cross it. There are many more area’s in the Little Pilgrim’s Progress that he just loved. He and I give this 5 stars!
September 21, 2015
An excellent book that I have been meaning to read for years... the story of Christian's pilgrimage is still relevant today and still gives as much encouragement as it did when it was first written... this simplified "child's" version I recommend as a starting point for anyone who wants to know the story... I am going to continue on and read the original by John Bunyan written in poetic for in older English now that I have a good grasp on the storyline... very good story recommend to one and all !!!
November 14, 2015
This book is a good book for children as it uses a fictional story to teach them about important aspects of life like God and temptation. The book has many pictures in black and white as well which helps younger reader retain an interest. I personally liked how aspects of God and Life became characters in the book. This book is great for young children 8-12 who want or need to learn about God.
View Full Review at: http://hubpages.com/literature/Christ...
I was sent this book for free for only my honest review.
View Full Review at: http://hubpages.com/literature/Christ...
I was sent this book for free for only my honest review.
December 7, 2015
I read this book to my kids and we really enjoyed it! I have read the original Pilgrim's Progress and love that there is such a lovely version for children. The symbols & messages in this book are so powerful.
September 14, 2016
I read the entire book not just the sampler. It's a beautifully written allegory of our sometimes joyful and sometimes treacherous journey through life as told through the experiences of some children trying to reach the King's palace. Would make a great read-aloud for families with children.
September 19, 2021
(I didn't read the sample--I've got the actual book from my tio. <33.)
May 20, 2022
The boys and I have been reading this through out the year. IF I had let them we would have finished the book in a week. We all enjoyed it very much.
April 18, 2024
5 ★ - (adored, absolute favorite)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews