The Way Home: A Princess Story

by Max Lucado, Tristen Elwell (Illustrator)

Princess Anna, adopted by the king in her infancy and now a young woman, is intrigued by the world that lies beyond the lush, green hills of the kingdom. When she seeks to satisfy her curiosity, she falls under the influence of the Lowlanders and begins to resemble their haggard style. Never to let a child slip away that easily, the king follows her, and trades his life for hers in order to provide her with a way back home. Despite the king's sacrifice, the choice to return home is ultimately Anna's to make. The underlying truth is unmistakable asMax has crafted this powerful story that will speak to all of the King's children and implore them to follow the path that leads home.

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

48 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2005

About the author

With more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.

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Reviews

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was done well and easy to see the religious symbolism. However, the kids just thought it was ok. I think mostly it had to do with the length of the picture book and the illustrations just not being for them.

[Lauren Fullington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved to read about princesses and fairy tales. But this one blew all out of the water. This is a fairy tale that tells a true story about how we can want something different, but never understand that with God, we have everything and he is the way home .

[Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely allegory demonstrating how "we all, like sheep, have gone astray" and how we have a loving Father always seeking after us to show us the way home.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my six year old's favorite stories.

For me, the illustrations make up for what is lacking in the writing. It is easy to read in a dramatic voice, and I will always be moved by stories of our Father King's love for us.

[Kay Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Max Lucado's work. And I really wanted to like this one. I just thought it was too wordy, long, and vague. It was Ok.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful allegory about how our heavenly father pursues us and tries to lead us home. A wonderful love story with a princess, a king, a knight and a castle.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonably well illustrated--the lines of the watercolors are crisp, and the faces beautiful, but there seem to be details lacking, as though the artist lacked imagination of what to do with so much canvas. Often I buy children's books for the pictures first, and then the story; this one does not qualify in that regard.

The story is reminiscent of the "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," with the king sacrificing himself for an errant adopted princess. In comparison to Lewis' powerful classic, it feels rather empty when the king gets up moments after being supposedly killed--not really dead, but only seeming to have died.

The only message of real power in the story is that the princess is able to find the way back to the castle (hence the name of the story) because the king has come down to save her, hacking his way through the forest (with his armor and sword), so that there is a clear path back to the castle. The parallel with the Savior's sacrifice is clear: we know the way back, because He came down to earth to be among us and save us.

With several better Lucado titles to choose from, this is one book that I would only recommend buying if you can't resist a spiritually metaphorical fairy tale, if there is nothing better available, or if you are intent on collecting all the works of Max Lucado.

[April Poulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book from an illustration standpoint, story standpoint, and spiritual standpoint. The illustrations are well done and realistic. The story is kind of long and could be boring for younger children. The spiritual message is what makes the story impactful. If you have ever read anything by Max Lucado before, you know that you can expect a spiritual message as the basis of the story. While younger children might enjoy this book, it would be better appreciated and understood among older children. If you want to teach your children about the importance of Jesus Christ in helping us when we have made mistakes or feel lost, this story makes His influence understandable. I have grown up believing in Jesus Christ my whole life and think that I have a fairly good grasp of His role, but this book made His influence even more real and personable to me. I also really appreciated Lucado's portrayal of God's love for His children; it is His love and the Savior's sacrifice that offer us hope and draw us to our heavenly family. If you like Max Lucado's other books, you will really enjoy this book.

[Cassie Paries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a great message about remembering who we really are. In the book a princess wants to explore the dark forest and so she does and is captured by the evil in the forest. Her father goes into the forest to save her and remind her who she really is. He shows her the way out and helps her know her worth. This is a wonderful book to read to those who may be struggling to understand their self-worth. It is uplifting and teaches about the love of a parent or other caring adult. It helps teach a wonderful principal of who we truly are and where we came from and how we can come home.

[Joann10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Anna is intrigued by the dark forest outside the castle walls, and thinks she would have a better life if she followed this path of her own, but she soon discovers her mistake and find out, through her fathers love, that there is only one path to happiness. My 9 year old "got" the symbolism right away, but my just turned 8 year old, needed more explaination to get the "deeper" meaning of this book.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good idea with the book, but it seemed a little disconnected at the end with the father/king giving of himself. ...That seemed rushed over somehow.
I may like it later when my kids are older and need a story about making poor choices they don't feel they can be forgiven of. Maybe a little older than a four year old type book.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is an allegory of God's love for us, and for the risk and pain that Jesus took for us, when He came to redeem us. The main character leaves her father the King of her own free will, but then ends up bedraggled and trapped. He rescues her. The pictures in this book may be frightening for the very young, but my 6 y old did fine with them.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorite storybooks. I have used it on several occasions to tell the story of God’s redemptive heart to girls and young ladies. It has always led to good questions and meaningful discussions. It reads like a fairytale but with a profound sense of awe and beauty behind it. The illustrations are wonderful as well. For me, it’s a must-have on my bookshelf!

[Mandy J. Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reall enjoyed this beautifully written and illustrated book. I think it was slightly too old for the girls, although Abby at almost 6, did catch on enough to make somewhat of a connection to the spiritual emphasis of the book. It is one that I would like to own in the future.

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since my reception of this book when I was little, this story has always held a special place in my heart. The beautiful illustrations and the simple, yet thought-provoking theme have been treasured by me to this very day.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and the pictures were great, they had so much detail in each one. The only thing that was hard was it was so long. To use this with children you would want to read it to an older group because of the length and it might be hard for them to focus.

[Ashlee Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really surprised me. It turned out to have a very spiritual message of a father helping a daughter overcome a struggle. I thought it was really a great read. It was simple to understand but also had deeper meanings.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the allegory to Christ in the book. It's an amazing picture of Christ's love for us. My kids at work love the story too since it's got a Princess and King in it.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet allegory in the style of a fairy tale. Perfect for little girls.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did a dramatic retelling of this story for an assignement at Bible School.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the message of the book. Its alittle scary for little kids, though.

[Oznasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are beautiful, plot is so so.

[Abby Frye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art. Cute story. So overall pretty good children's book.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I L-O-V-E this book. Especially for my daughter. Great message.

[A. Mickey Perkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a thinly veiled metaphor for Jesus.