Fanny Crosby: Queen of Gospel Songs

Potter's Wheel Books #1

by Rebecca Davis

The man said he was a doctor . . . but he did something to little baby Fanny’s eyes that made her blind for the rest of her life.

How could she find out about the world around her? How could she be happy? How could she learn? How could she love God? How could she forgive?

Fanny Crosby was blind for more than ninety years . . . and she wrote over 8,000 hymns and gospel songs about her Savior.

Potter's Wheel Books: showing children the Master Potter at work
Christian biography for children ages 7-10

Genres: Biography

107 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

I write the Untwisting Scriptures series of books for those who have experienced spiritual abuse that includes the twisting of Scriptures.

I also offer "untwistings" on my blog, heresthejoy.com, and in emails to my email subscribers.

Before writing for adults, I wrote nonfiction for children and young people--biographies of great Christians, true stories of "hidden heroes" in various countries, and two devotional books for children.

Reviews

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considered a book written for a child 7-10, this adult was very inspired with the content of it - about a life well lived. Fanny Crosby lost her sight as an infant, yet she overcame many obstacles in life through the encouragement of her mother and grandmother. Except for her blindness, she excelled physically, mentally, and spiritually, climbing trees, loving God's creation, and memorizing entire books of the bible. Early on, her special gift of poetry was evident, and one of her first poems is included in the book. She attended, then later taught, at a school for the bind in New York. It was after a cholera epidemic that she more soberly considered her eternal destiny and turned to a sincere faith and love in Jesus. She wrote thousands of hymns and met many famous people. But her greatness mostly lies in the fact that many people's lives have been completely changed through the messages of her hymns.

[Ruthie Planamenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful biography of a Christian woman more of us should know about! Fanny Crosby wrote hundreds of hymns, including “Blessed Assurance,” all while blind! Her story is one of hardship, family, and tested faith. It’s a blessing to read this book with my students each year, and I highly recommend it for elementary students! Written in easy language for second grade level, which is my only complaint, as I teach third grade!

[yulianti debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read

It's a simple book telling us the story of Fanny Crosby. It's foretold on a simple language and could involved the reader to feel the life of Fanny Crosby.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids and I (ages 3-10) enjoyed learning about the life and ministry of Fanny Crosby, a woman of great faith and purpose.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book read to my first grade class.

Fanny Crosby is an inspiration. It’s so important that children learn to know about faithful people from the past.

[Bruce Menkveld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read this compelling biography about the icon who has blessed so many with her poetry.

[Meghan John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this last in elementary school and had been meaning to reread it for years. I was not a huge fan of how vague the Gospel was presented in this book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

*reread to SS class…always a favorite

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring life Fanny Crosby lead. The world needs more of her hymns to be played today. The world needs more Jesus.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for elementary students. Fanny had a remarkable life

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspirational biography on a woman whose bright optimism, determination and faith overcame blindness. In my opinion the writing hits about 3.5 stars. The author has not gotten in the way of her subject and has capture the whimsical perspective of Fanny and her relatives. I like the way she handled the material and avoided a wooden narration that tends to plague biographies for children. However, it doesn't strike me as particularly memorable, though Fanny Crosby certainly IS memorable!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography is a wonderful read for the whole family. Easy enough for young readers, but not simplistic. My children enjoyed listening to the story as much as I enjoyed reading it to them.

[Amy Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible for children and yet such a moving story, even for adults!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ordered this book off the internet and when it arrived I realized that it was written for a young reader. But I read it and learned some insights into this remarkable women's life.