Above All Things: The Tale of the King

by Christine Elliott Rivers, Jesse Cordes (Illustrator)

80 pages, Hardcover

Published May 21, 2025

About the author

Christine Elliott Rivers is old enough to read fairy tales again. In fact, she is so old, that she has begun writing fairy tales of her own. She spends her days teaching English, drinking absurd amounts of coffee, and adventuring with her husband and their three children.

Reviews

[Eliza Rockhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's something beautiful about a short, simple story. What makes it even more beautiful is when it has Lutheran themes throughout. This book has both. There are little things in it such as, "Yes! Yes! It shall be so!", the oaths, and the relationship between God and the devil (the king and the dragon) that so beautifully, so simply, confess the Lutheran faith. Mrs. Rivers did such a wonderful job with this book, and I thank her for that. I cannot wait for my younger siblings to read this.

[Christa Petzold]

I read this aloud to my children and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Highest reviews were from my 7 and 5 year old. All of the kids picked up on the allegory with no prompting, which thrilled them. If you are looking for a simple story that points to the Greatest Story, told in a fairy tale setting that appeals to young children, this is it.

[Richard Bicknase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeing books like this being published is very encouraging. I'm looking forward to having nine more books to look forward to, and I'm excited to see how the series shapes up.

[Nicole Busarow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect childhood story!

[Miguel Gonzalez-Feliciano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre reading this book before evening read alouds.

A good work of Catechetical fiction, it just suffers from being a bit *too* plot heavy. Since you know the general outline, it isn't that the plot is bad, it just suffers from having no real character to it. Nobody has a name and the kingdom isn't even given a fictional name. This isn't to say the book is bad at all. it almost seems tailored towards family read alouds and it has some super clear Lutheranisms to the text which are greatly beneficial, I just had hoped there would be a bit more to anchor the story.

This is my first experience with this kind of book from Kloria, so perhaps I just wasn't aware of CER's style.

[Amy Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly beautiful not only because of the lovely way that the story is told, but because every thoughtful sentence and turn of phrase points to the One who saves us. Christine Elliott Rivers has done a masterful job of harnessing the beloved format of the fairy tale to tell a thought-provoking, funny and adventure-packed tale that points readers to the saving faith found in Jesus Christ. There are many new books released every day for children, but this is something very, very special. Adults and children alike will enjoy the tale. Buy one for your home library, for your Godchildren, for your church library, for your child's teacher. This message relayed here is good, true and beautiful. The illustrations are exquisite. And best of all? There are many more books to come in this series!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents the first commandment and the gospel allegorically. I read this one aloud to my girls as a bedtime story. The reading level is above them, but my oldest enjoyed listening and the pictures (pictures are sparse, line drawn, every other page at most).

I like that it is about a young boy. This is a very simple story, I think the allegory will be obvious to most readers. Some scenes felt very Hobbit.

Wholesome, characters who strive to be good and struggle with flaws that receive forgiveness. Good stuff.

[Elizabeth Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is important to read to children, but it is even more important to teach them the faith. This book accomplishes both. With a driving narrative, the imposing threat of a dragon, and the almighty reign of the King, this fairy tale draws the reader in while focusing on the most important aspect of all - the saving grace of the King. Read this book to your children, and you (and them!) will not be disappointed!