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Three exciting stories set in North Africa, written by the best selling author who worked there as a missionary. Each story teaches Christian truths.
Newly revised for 2002, to make them more accessible to today's reader. The language and description have been simplified without diminishing any of the atmosphere and emotive effect.
94 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1978
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About the author
Patricia St. John
96 books246 followersPatricia Mary St. John spent 27 years as a dedicated missionary to North Africa - and was also a prolific children's writer. Her books are loved and treasured around the world; some have been turned into stirring films. Gripping adventures which cover real life issues are her hallmark.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 8, 2017
Aww, Patricia St. John wrote the sweetest stories! This book is a collection of three short stories, all set in what I believe is Morocco. The first was my least favorite. Even though it's a cute story, it felt very rushed. The second and third are both better written and I really enjoyed them.
Note: I did NOT read the revised version of this book, contrary to the book description. St. John's writing was perfectly "accessible" to begin with and I'm appalled that publishers have so little faith in the intelligence of children that they felt the need to water her stories down.
Note: I did NOT read the revised version of this book, contrary to the book description. St. John's writing was perfectly "accessible" to begin with and I'm appalled that publishers have so little faith in the intelligence of children that they felt the need to water her stories down.
January 3, 2021
I love every Patricia St. John book, but I particularly enjoyed reading these stories with my daughter in the run up to Christmas.
Wonderful books to discuss a wide range of cultural and poverty issues along side the Christmas story.
Wonderful books to discuss a wide range of cultural and poverty issues along side the Christmas story.
November 28, 2019
This is a trio of sweet, festive tales set in North Africa.
In the "The secret of the fourth candle" a little peasant girl is taught the true meaning of Christmas.
"The cloak" tells the tale of a poor boy who gives up his cloak to someone even more unfortunate
"The guest" is the story of an old lady, Yacoots and a little boy living rough who needs a loving home.
All have a strong, religious, moralistic message which at times felt like an overdose of a Bible being rammed down your throat and being an atheist I just ignored but overall the stories were lovely and perfect for this time of year.
In the "The secret of the fourth candle" a little peasant girl is taught the true meaning of Christmas.
"The cloak" tells the tale of a poor boy who gives up his cloak to someone even more unfortunate
"The guest" is the story of an old lady, Yacoots and a little boy living rough who needs a loving home.
All have a strong, religious, moralistic message which at times felt like an overdose of a Bible being rammed down your throat and being an atheist I just ignored but overall the stories were lovely and perfect for this time of year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2024
Though I am probably Patricia St John’s biggest fan, this one was not one of my favorites. I didn’t realize that it was three stories in one because there is no clear break, so I was constantly waiting for the stories to tie together and of course they never do. She does, however, always get to the heart of our need for Jesus and for that, I will salways love her writing.
December 30, 2020
Another beautiful book by Patricia St. John that reflects her years as a missionary nurse in Morocco. It consists of 3 short stories (2 with a Christmas theme) that can each be read in a sitting or two. I read them to my two daughters (age 5 and 8) at Christmas time this year and we thoroughly enjoyed them.
February 27, 2019
Great read aloud for Christmas time.
February 20, 2021
I especially liked the ending story as it was so touching.
December 23, 2024
4* Four simple stories about the miracle that can happen when a person's heart is changed by the Christmas story.
February 6, 2026
Uplifting book. Simple stories for children that speak of Jesus’ birth. Three stories all set at Christmas time.
November 14, 2023
Number of pages: 124 (split into three short stories each 30-50 pages)
Genre: Children’s fiction
Series: N/A
Age recommendation: Elementary School (6-12 if being read to, 8-12 if reading on their own) It reminds me of the kind of book my mom would have read to me for a bedtime story when I was a little kid 😊
Summary: “The Four Candles” is set in Muslim North Africa. It is about a poor little girl, Aisha, who wants to see the fair-haired foreign little girl at the house where her mother works. There she first hears about the Baby, Jesus. It takes place around the Christmas holiday.
“The Cloak” is also set in North Africa. It’s about a poor boy, Mustapha, whose cloak is stolen. He then has to make a choice about how he will treat the people who stole it. He also comes in contact with the Christmas story of baby Jesus.
In “The Guest,” Granny’s eggs are being stolen by a young boy. Then she hears the verse that if you receive the little child in His name, then you’ve received Him. Granny learns that if she wants a relationship with Jesus, she must do what He asks of her.
My thoughts: Patricia St. John is one of my favourite children’s book author’s and The Secret of the Fourth Candle is another great book. It’s a collection of three stories and they are all really sweet. While they do have a gospel message to them, I think they’re better for Christians, or people growing up in a Christian home who may not necessarily be saved.
On the back of the book, it claims they are, “Three stories about children from all around the world,” so I thought they would all be different places, but (I think) they’re all set in North Africa. There’s nothing wrong with that, I just wasn’t expecting it and I was hoping to learn about multiple places. I also would have appreciated if it were a little longer, but for younger readers, that might be better.
My personal rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
Genre: Children’s fiction
Series: N/A
Age recommendation: Elementary School (6-12 if being read to, 8-12 if reading on their own) It reminds me of the kind of book my mom would have read to me for a bedtime story when I was a little kid 😊
Summary: “The Four Candles” is set in Muslim North Africa. It is about a poor little girl, Aisha, who wants to see the fair-haired foreign little girl at the house where her mother works. There she first hears about the Baby, Jesus. It takes place around the Christmas holiday.
“The Cloak” is also set in North Africa. It’s about a poor boy, Mustapha, whose cloak is stolen. He then has to make a choice about how he will treat the people who stole it. He also comes in contact with the Christmas story of baby Jesus.
In “The Guest,” Granny’s eggs are being stolen by a young boy. Then she hears the verse that if you receive the little child in His name, then you’ve received Him. Granny learns that if she wants a relationship with Jesus, she must do what He asks of her.
My thoughts: Patricia St. John is one of my favourite children’s book author’s and The Secret of the Fourth Candle is another great book. It’s a collection of three stories and they are all really sweet. While they do have a gospel message to them, I think they’re better for Christians, or people growing up in a Christian home who may not necessarily be saved.
On the back of the book, it claims they are, “Three stories about children from all around the world,” so I thought they would all be different places, but (I think) they’re all set in North Africa. There’s nothing wrong with that, I just wasn’t expecting it and I was hoping to learn about multiple places. I also would have appreciated if it were a little longer, but for younger readers, that might be better.
My personal rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
December 17, 2016
Just reread this, which I hadn't picked up since I was a small child. I was interested to see if I still liked it.
The book is composed of three stories set somewhere in North Africa--not sure exactly where. Perhaps unsurprisingly for a book written in 1954, the first two stories, though charming, have a whiff of "thank goodness the white British people came with their Bibles and their knowledge". The stories are still lovely, and the indigenous children who are the main characters are beautifully well-drawn and fleshed out. However, the final story (about an old woman suffering with loneliness and struggling to get by) is unadulterated joy and light. I really enjoyed the book, but it was this final story that really made it for me.
The book is composed of three stories set somewhere in North Africa--not sure exactly where. Perhaps unsurprisingly for a book written in 1954, the first two stories, though charming, have a whiff of "thank goodness the white British people came with their Bibles and their knowledge". The stories are still lovely, and the indigenous children who are the main characters are beautifully well-drawn and fleshed out. However, the final story (about an old woman suffering with loneliness and struggling to get by) is unadulterated joy and light. I really enjoyed the book, but it was this final story that really made it for me.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews