The Light and the Life

Redemption Tales #3

by Marty Machowski, Blair Files (illustrator)

Imagine what it would have been like to witness the events in the life of Jesus—from the perspective of the animals who could have been there.

The bright burst of blinding light sent the wolf pack running, leaving Belzib behind after he hit his head in all the commotion. Liora, a lamb venturing out on her own, found him out cold, but the angel’s booming voice soon awoke Belzib. It wasn’t natural for a sheep to make friends with a wolf, but the angel’s song declaring peace on earth drove away all concern. Excited about the angel’s big announcement, the unlikely pair had to follow the brightest star they had ever seen to find the Savior.

The Light and the Life by bestselling author Marty Machowski follows the adventures of the animals who could have witnessed the events of Jesus’s life. Join the lamb and wolf as they head to Bethlehem, lizards living in the temple, camels traveling with the wise men, turtles in the Sea of Galilee, hyrax at the Mount of Transfiguration, squirrels at Lazarus’s tomb, and the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem.Third of four books in the Redemption Tales series for ages 8–12, retelling Bible narratives from the perspective of the animals who could have witnessed the events firsthand.Includes Bible study questions to acquaint kids with the “truth behind the tales.”Offers a new point of view of God’s overarching story of redemption found throughout his Word.

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2025

About the author

Marty Machowski is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church, a Sovereign Grace Ministries church in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, where he has served on the pastoral staff for more than twenty years. As leader of their children’s ministry, Promise Kingdom, he has worked for many years to develop curriculum and devotional material that connect church and home. His passion is equipping families to understand the Bible as one gospel story and help them share that with their children. He is the author of The Gospel Story for Kids series including Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God (OT); The Gospel Story Bible; and the Gospel Story Curriculum: Finding Jesus in the Old Testament and the forthcoming Old Story New (NT): Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God and Gospel Story Curriculum: Following Jesus in the New Testament. He and his wife Lois and their six children reside in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Katie - Mud Pies with Sprinkles · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the angel's big announcement to the shepherd's in the field to Jesus riding a donkey through Jerusalem, explore seven Bible stories through the eyes of animals.

While the story has a creative perspective, the story of redemption is TRUE. Machowski does an excellent job staying true to Scripture and accurately pointing to Christ in each story.

📚 Christian, Adventure, Fiction, Fantasy, Children's
Independent Read: +8 years
Read Aloud +4 years
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0 out of 5 stars!

💭 There are too many narratives out there attacking Scripture and the creative license with Bible stories seems to go too far. But Machowski does an excellent job!!!

My girls (3,5) were hooked! My eldest absolutely adores Daniel the dove. She would get so excited each time he would fly into the scene.

I recommend reading one chapter each day to allow kid's to fully grasp the story and read the story straight from Scripture. Scripture references are at the end of each chapter and study questions are in the back of the book.

💛 If you are reviewing the NT stories pointing to Christ's resurrection, I would highly consider adding this book to your reading list.

🩵 If you love animal tales, Bible stories, and fantasy/historical fiction, this one might be for you!
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I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

With great Joy and Love,
Katie - MUD PIES WITH SPRINKLES

LIKE my reviews. Follow along on IG or my newsletter at mudpieswithsprinkles.com

[Kate Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Light and the Life covers select stories from the birth of Jesus to the triumphal entry. Marty Machowski is so gifted at making theology and Bible stories accessible to kids without watering them down! This series is no exception. The stories are told from the perspective of the animals which made the chapters extra fun and engaging and threw a little humor into the mix, all while maintaining the biblical facts and message. There’s a dove named Daniel that is in every chapter who always shows up to explain the story to the animals and answer their questions. I’d highly recommend all three of the books in this series! We loved the questions that are included for family discussions the back of the book. My 5 and 7 year old love these books. They’re perfect to add to your morning basket for homeschooling, to family devotions or to give to your independent reader.