What do you think?
Little Pilgrim's Progress: The Illustrated Edition: From John Bunyan's Classic
A classic work of literature, adapted for children and beautifully illustrated.
Perceiving the need for a simpler version of a timeless classic, Helen Taylor faithfully adapted John Bunyan’s allegory of the Christian life, The Pilgrim’s Progress, for young readers—hoping to bring its treasury of wisdom nearer to children’s hearts and minds. That version has sold over 800,000 copies! It preserves the original plotlines of Bunyan’s classic while telling the story of Little Christian and Christiana in a way that kids can understand.
In this fresh, imaginative new edition, bestselling illustrator Joe Sutphin portrays the characters of Bunyan’s tale as furry creatures living in a woodland realm. Children will delight in the lavish illustrations, reading alongside their parents or interacting on their own with the timeless words and beautiful imagery that they discover on every page.
This book will help children see the trials and triumphs of faithfulness with fresh eyes, leading them to declare along with Christian, “I am going to the King!”
Perceiving the need for a simpler version of a timeless classic, Helen Taylor faithfully adapted John Bunyan’s allegory of the Christian life, The Pilgrim’s Progress, for young readers—hoping to bring its treasury of wisdom nearer to children’s hearts and minds. That version has sold over 800,000 copies! It preserves the original plotlines of Bunyan’s classic while telling the story of Little Christian and Christiana in a way that kids can understand.
In this fresh, imaginative new edition, bestselling illustrator Joe Sutphin portrays the characters of Bunyan’s tale as furry creatures living in a woodland realm. Children will delight in the lavish illustrations, reading alongside their parents or interacting on their own with the timeless words and beautiful imagery that they discover on every page.
This book will help children see the trials and triumphs of faithfulness with fresh eyes, leading them to declare along with Christian, “I am going to the King!”
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1947
About the author
Helen L. Taylor
3 books13 followersIn 1947, Helen L. Taylor took John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress and simplified the vocabulary and concepts for young readers, while keeping the storyline intact. The result was a classic in itself, which has now sold over 600,000 copies.
It’s both a simple adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life, a delightful read with a message kids ages 6 to 12 can understand and remember. Ms. Taylor has carefully rewritten a centuries-old tale in order that children might be able to grasp the truths set out by John Bunyan in 1678.
It’s both a simple adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life, a delightful read with a message kids ages 6 to 12 can understand and remember. Ms. Taylor has carefully rewritten a centuries-old tale in order that children might be able to grasp the truths set out by John Bunyan in 1678.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 766 reviews
October 20, 2016
I am not a fan of rewritings or abridgments and I HAVE read the original Pilgrim's Progress several times but I still can't help enjoying this retelling. It is to Pilgrim's Progress what E. Nesbit's Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare is to Shakespeare's plays.
As with the real Pilgrim's Progress, the first part is better but there are some wonderful highlights in the second half and we do come to love Mercy, Great Heart, and the boys in Part 2.
It is the kind of writing that could quickly become insipid and trite and yet it doesn't.
This is not a book that will be loved by everyone but it is a great introduction for the 10 and under crowd to the stories from a great classic and it is not painful for adults to read either.
As with the real Pilgrim's Progress, the first part is better but there are some wonderful highlights in the second half and we do come to love Mercy, Great Heart, and the boys in Part 2.
It is the kind of writing that could quickly become insipid and trite and yet it doesn't.
This is not a book that will be loved by everyone but it is a great introduction for the 10 and under crowd to the stories from a great classic and it is not painful for adults to read either.
September 2, 2021
I received a free review copy from the publisher of this newly illustrated edition.
First off, the illustrations and personification of animals is just impeccable. My kids (ages 5-12) well are pulled in by the illustrations immediately, and I too lingered over each picture. Most pages have some small illustration, and the short length of the chapters is ideal for reading aloud.
There is so much to love in this allegory of the Christian life. So much truth about the challenges along the way, the need to cling to what is true, and the faithfulness of the King. Particularly vivid to me:
-Christian’s awareness of the burden of his sin, his need to have it removed at the cross
-how the King always watches over his pilgrims, bringing them safely home no matter what disaster befalls them
-the fear and anxiety along the narrow road, and how it is often hard to tell which is the right way
-the visualization of death as a river was stunning and poignant, especially as each pilgrim is called to cross at different times, and nearly always alone
-the lure of the world, how it is purposefully deceptive, and how prevalent spiritual warfare is in our lives
A few things stuck out to me as incorrect theologically, with need to be addressed as I read:
-Christian’s burden is removed at the cross, but not Christina’s and her siblings (I guess they are considered “too young” but we all need Jesus)
-it seems that suicide is considered a loss of faith in Jesus, an unforgivable sin
-only the male characters ever fight against the enemy or are given armor
-much is made of the unhelpful sway of the wicked, and characters are repeated told not to associate with anyone who isn’t of the king (perhaps evangelism is limited to just the evangelist? Not biblical, however)
I still found this book incredibly encouraging and I read through tears streaming down my cheeks more than once. It is powerful, yet it is flawed. That’s how this world is, though. And instead of saying a book like this is all good or all bad, I think it’s far more beneficial to us and our kids to lead them through with discernment and biblical wisdom.
First off, the illustrations and personification of animals is just impeccable. My kids (ages 5-12) well are pulled in by the illustrations immediately, and I too lingered over each picture. Most pages have some small illustration, and the short length of the chapters is ideal for reading aloud.
There is so much to love in this allegory of the Christian life. So much truth about the challenges along the way, the need to cling to what is true, and the faithfulness of the King. Particularly vivid to me:
-Christian’s awareness of the burden of his sin, his need to have it removed at the cross
-how the King always watches over his pilgrims, bringing them safely home no matter what disaster befalls them
-the fear and anxiety along the narrow road, and how it is often hard to tell which is the right way
-the visualization of death as a river was stunning and poignant, especially as each pilgrim is called to cross at different times, and nearly always alone
-the lure of the world, how it is purposefully deceptive, and how prevalent spiritual warfare is in our lives
A few things stuck out to me as incorrect theologically, with need to be addressed as I read:
-Christian’s burden is removed at the cross, but not Christina’s and her siblings (I guess they are considered “too young” but we all need Jesus)
-it seems that suicide is considered a loss of faith in Jesus, an unforgivable sin
-only the male characters ever fight against the enemy or are given armor
-much is made of the unhelpful sway of the wicked, and characters are repeated told not to associate with anyone who isn’t of the king (perhaps evangelism is limited to just the evangelist? Not biblical, however)
I still found this book incredibly encouraging and I read through tears streaming down my cheeks more than once. It is powerful, yet it is flawed. That’s how this world is, though. And instead of saying a book like this is all good or all bad, I think it’s far more beneficial to us and our kids to lead them through with discernment and biblical wisdom.
July 20, 2022
Two stars for Helen L. Taylor's dry prose. I didn't find it that endearing.
Five stars for Joe Sutphin's illustrations—they are so warm, charming, and sweet and kept me afloat when the prose was a slog. I especially love the illustration on 288-289 of the pilgrims entering the Land of Delight. The little bunny looking up—so cute!
Four stars for the Christian themes and teachable moments. The life of a true Christian is a beautiful life.
Five stars for my daughter's hilarious comment upon ending the book: "I think it conveyed a really good message." (Me: And what message was that?) Pause: "I do not know." After we all stopped laughing, we eventually had a good discussion about the book's themes.
One star for my bad attitude (which I tried to keep a secret). I wanted to like this book, but, from the second half onwards, it felt like a chore to get through. The last several pages, however, were very much worth the effort.
Five stars for my five year old's reaction: He sat quietly during our closing comments. Suddenly, I felt a tear on my shoulder and I looked down to see that his nose was sweating. Then he burst out crying, "I don't want this book to end!" I felt chastened for my one-star attitude!
So, overall, I think that puts us at a solid three star rating.
Five stars for Joe Sutphin's illustrations—they are so warm, charming, and sweet and kept me afloat when the prose was a slog. I especially love the illustration on 288-289 of the pilgrims entering the Land of Delight. The little bunny looking up—so cute!
Four stars for the Christian themes and teachable moments. The life of a true Christian is a beautiful life.
Five stars for my daughter's hilarious comment upon ending the book: "I think it conveyed a really good message." (Me: And what message was that?) Pause: "I do not know." After we all stopped laughing, we eventually had a good discussion about the book's themes.
One star for my bad attitude (which I tried to keep a secret). I wanted to like this book, but, from the second half onwards, it felt like a chore to get through. The last several pages, however, were very much worth the effort.
Five stars for my five year old's reaction: He sat quietly during our closing comments. Suddenly, I felt a tear on my shoulder and I looked down to see that his nose was sweating. Then he burst out crying, "I don't want this book to end!" I felt chastened for my one-star attitude!
So, overall, I think that puts us at a solid three star rating.
March 15, 2024
Read aloud with 5yo & 3yo girl.
The adaptation of John Bunyan’s classic story stays closely true to the original, keeping the allegorical names of lots of characters, but the language has been appropriately modernized for today’s reader to understand more easily. Though it’s intended audience is probably a touch older, by younger girls were able to follow along and find deep meaning in the story.
It takes Bunyan’s classic allegory one step further by setting it within the animal woodland kingdom to appeal to the youngest reader. I’s been a source of good conversation starters about becoming a Christian and what it looks like to walk with Jesus. As we read, I loved how it fostered many opportunities of talking about the Gospel and the Christian life with my children. Placing truth within story is a great way to help kids understand deep concepts.
This would make a great gift for a meaningful event! It’s a beautiful hardback book featuring a rich green gold-stamped cover protected by a beautifully illustrated book jacket. As you page through the inside, you’ll find sketched illustrations throughout the pages that help draw kids into and connect with the story.
Thank you to moodypublishers for the complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
The adaptation of John Bunyan’s classic story stays closely true to the original, keeping the allegorical names of lots of characters, but the language has been appropriately modernized for today’s reader to understand more easily. Though it’s intended audience is probably a touch older, by younger girls were able to follow along and find deep meaning in the story.
It takes Bunyan’s classic allegory one step further by setting it within the animal woodland kingdom to appeal to the youngest reader. I’s been a source of good conversation starters about becoming a Christian and what it looks like to walk with Jesus. As we read, I loved how it fostered many opportunities of talking about the Gospel and the Christian life with my children. Placing truth within story is a great way to help kids understand deep concepts.
This would make a great gift for a meaningful event! It’s a beautiful hardback book featuring a rich green gold-stamped cover protected by a beautifully illustrated book jacket. As you page through the inside, you’ll find sketched illustrations throughout the pages that help draw kids into and connect with the story.
Thank you to moodypublishers for the complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
June 6, 2022
Having not read Pilgrims Progress, I borrowed this from a friend to read aloud w my kids. While the story itself was fun for my kids, and the illustrations were beautiful, I struggled with the theology. I found myself regularly saddened by the way God is portrayed. This did allow for some conversation with my oldest son -- God is good, God's love for us is unconditional.
January 27, 2026
I love this book so very much!
First, can I just say that the illustrations are incredibly beautiful and so full of emotion that they truly empower the story. Like the look on Little Christian’s face when he’s at the Cross. It’s so full of all the right emotions - it’s perfect - and something I will point out to my kids when we read it together. “Look at the relief, the gratefulness and the love in his eyes..” etc. And so many other scenes/illustrations are so wonderfully captured.
The book itself has been adapted from the original. It’s been written in simpler/modern English and certain scenes have been adjusted for a younger audience.
I read this version immediately after finishing the original because I wanted it fresh in my mind to compare.
Overall, I am very pleased with the changes made. It was done thoughtfully and the spirit of the original was maintained.
For example, at The House of the Interpreter, the scenes/lessons Christian is shown were altered to more applicable lessons for children. Instead of a portrait of a true teacher/guide, a portrait of a shepherd is given to depict that Jesus tends and cares for his lambs and will go after them if necessary. Passion and Patience are mostly kept the same (such a good lesson!), the despairing man in a cage is done away with, which I do get. Children most likely will not run into despair at an early age/or need to be introduced to the concept at an early age.
One change that was made to the entirety of the story is that Christian’s mother lives in the Celestial City (this was not in the original). It is somewhat of a motivating factor to get him on pilgrimage, but again, was handled well. At the end, when Christian enters into the Celestial City, he is greeted by his mother and they are excited to be together, but their excitement to see and meet the King is so much greater.
Like the original, there are sooo many wonderful, helpful and inspiring lessons within these pages. This book should be read several times through throughout childhood.
An absolute must!
Ages: 5 - 12
Content Considerations: mentions guardian angels a couple of times.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
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First, can I just say that the illustrations are incredibly beautiful and so full of emotion that they truly empower the story. Like the look on Little Christian’s face when he’s at the Cross. It’s so full of all the right emotions - it’s perfect - and something I will point out to my kids when we read it together. “Look at the relief, the gratefulness and the love in his eyes..” etc. And so many other scenes/illustrations are so wonderfully captured.
The book itself has been adapted from the original. It’s been written in simpler/modern English and certain scenes have been adjusted for a younger audience.
I read this version immediately after finishing the original because I wanted it fresh in my mind to compare.
Overall, I am very pleased with the changes made. It was done thoughtfully and the spirit of the original was maintained.
For example, at The House of the Interpreter, the scenes/lessons Christian is shown were altered to more applicable lessons for children. Instead of a portrait of a true teacher/guide, a portrait of a shepherd is given to depict that Jesus tends and cares for his lambs and will go after them if necessary. Passion and Patience are mostly kept the same (such a good lesson!), the despairing man in a cage is done away with, which I do get. Children most likely will not run into despair at an early age/or need to be introduced to the concept at an early age.
One change that was made to the entirety of the story is that Christian’s mother lives in the Celestial City (this was not in the original). It is somewhat of a motivating factor to get him on pilgrimage, but again, was handled well. At the end, when Christian enters into the Celestial City, he is greeted by his mother and they are excited to be together, but their excitement to see and meet the King is so much greater.
Like the original, there are sooo many wonderful, helpful and inspiring lessons within these pages. This book should be read several times through throughout childhood.
An absolute must!
Ages: 5 - 12
Content Considerations: mentions guardian angels a couple of times.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
May 19, 2024
For a Christian classic, I am surprised by the content. It's not a surprise, however, that it has gone out of style. I don't know how true Helen Taylor's updated version is to the original so maybe the original is not to blame.
The tone is very serious. Instead of being a joyful adventure, with plenty of obstacles -- that strengthen the pilgrim and show God's faithfulness -- it reads more like a perilous journey that could kill you at any minute. And that's my one biggest issue with it: there's an underlying theology that if you make one false step, you're lost. I don't believe in that. The story also came across as tremendously harsh. Not legalistic, in the sense of the word in the 17th century -- since there is a character named Legality -- but now, I would call it legalistic. At one point the boys get beaten by an angel for their disobedience. And they're exposed to dead bodies hanging along the path as a warning to those who are evil. I mean maybe that didn't adapt well to a kids story, but...I'm not even sure of the theology there, even for adults. In a word, I was shocked.
It's my understanding that John Bunyan was in prison when he wrote this so I want to believe that God used this to reach many people, but I'm not sure about the theology. Again, I don't know how closely this follows the original.
The tone is very serious. Instead of being a joyful adventure, with plenty of obstacles -- that strengthen the pilgrim and show God's faithfulness -- it reads more like a perilous journey that could kill you at any minute. And that's my one biggest issue with it: there's an underlying theology that if you make one false step, you're lost. I don't believe in that. The story also came across as tremendously harsh. Not legalistic, in the sense of the word in the 17th century -- since there is a character named Legality -- but now, I would call it legalistic. At one point the boys get beaten by an angel for their disobedience. And they're exposed to dead bodies hanging along the path as a warning to those who are evil. I mean maybe that didn't adapt well to a kids story, but...I'm not even sure of the theology there, even for adults. In a word, I was shocked.
It's my understanding that John Bunyan was in prison when he wrote this so I want to believe that God used this to reach many people, but I'm not sure about the theology. Again, I don't know how closely this follows the original.
August 27, 2020
A wonderful book. Based on the classic, "Pilgrim's Progress" and rewritten for children. All the same characters (as children) and same situations but written so that children can read and get a grasp of the wonderful work by Bunyan.
March 16, 2022
This book is a treasure that the whole family will enjoy. It may have been our favorite read aloud ever. Bonus: it's beautifully illustrated and easy for younger children (ages 4-5) to listen to and enjoy as well!
March 8, 2022
I am not the biggest fan of Pilgrim's Progress, but I recognize its importance in culture that few other texts have, and its significance in the history of Christian spirituality. I mean, Pilgrim's Progress has both a novel and a popular magazine named after one of its locations, and one can't pretend to understand the arc of Little Women without knowing the gist of Pilgrim's Progress.
My negative thoughts about Bunyan's allegory:
However, there is still some truth and power in this book. Joe Sutphin's marvelous, lavish illustrations go a long way to making the allegory more accessible to young readers. I found it more palatable with Christian and Christiana as rabbits, with Great Heart as a badger, and the King as (what else?) a lion. Despite my theological drawbacks, I would read this version with children, with some discussion about the usefulness of the allegory in daily life. Encouraging things like bravery and holiness are important, but most important is developing a personal relationship with the Triune God, which is simply not Bunyan's point here. His King is someone to fight one's way towards, not someone who lovingly draws one unto himself.
Sutphin is one of my favorite illustrators, and I purchased this book solely for his illustrations, and received even more than I expected. Before the book starts, a full dozen pages are devoted to "extra" illustrations that tell a bit of Christian's background before the story begins. Many inset, half-page, and full-page illustrations are present in the text, along with even more illustrations at the end of the book. Sutphin's animals have the most expressive faces, and tugged at my heartstrings in places. Only a few of the illustrations are action-oriented, and none are particularly dark or scary for sensitive young readers. The "monsters" are a bit frightening, but not absurdly weird.
Helen L. Taylor's adapted text is slightly adapted here, substituting "animals" for "people" and other such slight adjustments to match the illustrations. I haven't read Bunyan's original in its entirety, and won't unless I need to for academic research, but Taylor's young readers' version of the text preserves the flavor of the original language if not its full meatiness, and is a more accessible version for any reader.
If you are looking for a copy of Little Pilgrim's Progress to add to your library, I recommend Sutphin's version. Some of the other illustrated editions I've seen are not very beautiful, which could send me into a rant about art and Christianity, but this one is truly gorgeous. While Pilgrim's Progress does not have a special place in my heart, this edition of Little Pilgrim's Progress has helped me find some ways to appreciate the story again, and for that I am grateful.
My negative thoughts about Bunyan's allegory:
However, there is still some truth and power in this book. Joe Sutphin's marvelous, lavish illustrations go a long way to making the allegory more accessible to young readers. I found it more palatable with Christian and Christiana as rabbits, with Great Heart as a badger, and the King as (what else?) a lion. Despite my theological drawbacks, I would read this version with children, with some discussion about the usefulness of the allegory in daily life. Encouraging things like bravery and holiness are important, but most important is developing a personal relationship with the Triune God, which is simply not Bunyan's point here. His King is someone to fight one's way towards, not someone who lovingly draws one unto himself.
Sutphin is one of my favorite illustrators, and I purchased this book solely for his illustrations, and received even more than I expected. Before the book starts, a full dozen pages are devoted to "extra" illustrations that tell a bit of Christian's background before the story begins. Many inset, half-page, and full-page illustrations are present in the text, along with even more illustrations at the end of the book. Sutphin's animals have the most expressive faces, and tugged at my heartstrings in places. Only a few of the illustrations are action-oriented, and none are particularly dark or scary for sensitive young readers. The "monsters" are a bit frightening, but not absurdly weird.
Helen L. Taylor's adapted text is slightly adapted here, substituting "animals" for "people" and other such slight adjustments to match the illustrations. I haven't read Bunyan's original in its entirety, and won't unless I need to for academic research, but Taylor's young readers' version of the text preserves the flavor of the original language if not its full meatiness, and is a more accessible version for any reader.
If you are looking for a copy of Little Pilgrim's Progress to add to your library, I recommend Sutphin's version. Some of the other illustrated editions I've seen are not very beautiful, which could send me into a rant about art and Christianity, but this one is truly gorgeous. While Pilgrim's Progress does not have a special place in my heart, this edition of Little Pilgrim's Progress has helped me find some ways to appreciate the story again, and for that I am grateful.
October 16, 2020
Though the book is a classic and has good intent, its doctrine is traditional, not biblical. If you want your kids to take proper biblical values from this book, you have to do a lot of paraphrasing.
A few examples of made up doctrine within the book are:
- If you kill yourself you don't go to heaven. (When imprisoned by the giant.)
- Don't have anything to do with anyone who doesn't believe in God. (Multiple examples throughout the story.)
- Fight the enemy instead of helping them find Christ. (There's a chapter or two revolving around this after Greatheart is introduced.)
Kids remember everything.
Christ calls us to seek and save the lost. He hung out with those who didn't believe on a regular basis. And nowhere in the Word does suicide, or sin, keep you from heaven. Christ has cleansed all who truely believe in him.
So though there might not be any books that follow this type of imagery, there are many other books that you're better off reading to teach your kids how to interact with difficult people and situations.
Don't get me wrong, it does teach a lot of good things about God. But when teaching anyone about God, you have to keep personal opinions and guesses out of the equation. It all has to be accurate.
A few examples of made up doctrine within the book are:
- If you kill yourself you don't go to heaven. (When imprisoned by the giant.)
- Don't have anything to do with anyone who doesn't believe in God. (Multiple examples throughout the story.)
- Fight the enemy instead of helping them find Christ. (There's a chapter or two revolving around this after Greatheart is introduced.)
Kids remember everything.
Christ calls us to seek and save the lost. He hung out with those who didn't believe on a regular basis. And nowhere in the Word does suicide, or sin, keep you from heaven. Christ has cleansed all who truely believe in him.
So though there might not be any books that follow this type of imagery, there are many other books that you're better off reading to teach your kids how to interact with difficult people and situations.
Don't get me wrong, it does teach a lot of good things about God. But when teaching anyone about God, you have to keep personal opinions and guesses out of the equation. It all has to be accurate.
May 5, 2023
Gorgeous artwork and easy to read prose. My big issue is with Bunyan’s theology, especially how easy it is to lose one’s salvation in Part 1; parents might want to be prepared to have theological conversations about it. The simple prose makes the questionable theology almost too accessible for impressionable minds. I know Part 1 is theoretically superior, but I feel like part 2 fixes a lot of those issues and is in some ways superior, if less exciting.
January 7, 2016
Some books demand a film adaptation or a miniseries--This book demands a puppet show from a tired Sunday school teacher.
March 9, 2023
We LOVED this! Full review coming later, but in short: we especially loved Part I but my 6 year old was fully engaged even through Part II. It's a new favorite!
July 14, 2024
In reviewing a retelling, I’m faced with the challenge of commenting on a title that is intrinsically connected to its original iteration. The problem I’m encountering, as I seek to corral my thoughts, is that I have an issue with some thematic content carried over for a young audience.
The Positives
Before I express my concern, I would like to start by saying that, in many ways, Little Pilgrim’s Progress is a charmingly delightful story.
The illustrations evoke a beauty and tenderness I don’t often see captured in longer books for children. The animal characters are so well depicted—appropriately sweet, fierce, clever or sly in perfect keeping with the narrative. Sutphin’s illustrations truly bring the story to life, and it’s the sort of artwork I wouldn’t mind having prints of. Sutphin’s artwork is also the reason the book caught my eye. Little Christian, who is a rabbit in the story, is an absolute darling!
Narratively, there are some truly beautiful lines about “the Good Prince,” which describe how He loves and cares for His little pilgrims. I also enjoyed some refreshing passages about what it means to live in a broken world. The narrator consistently reminds readers that Christian is fleeing from the city of the Wicked Prince, which I found to be an encouragement in this cultural moment.
I also appreciated little Christian’s bewilderment at points, not because he was confused, but because he was willing to look to the Good King in these moments. As an adult reader, though admittedly not the target audience for the book, I also experiences times of bewilderment. It’s good to remember that, like little Christian, I can turn to the King in any distress. This is a valuable message for readers of any age.
My Concern
As a disclosure, I’m not well acquainted with The Pilgrim’s Progress. I can recall reading the original once in college. I’m not entirely sure whether I was required to read the whole book or selected portions. I’m also aware that The Pilgrim’s Progress is a beloved classic that has endured multiple centuries.
With that said, I’m hesitant to recommend Little Pilgrim’s Progress because of the occasional characterization of the Good King as punitive.
One line that stuck out to me, in a negative way, was something along the lines of, “I hope the Good King doesn’t punish us.”
A similar instance that caused me discomfort, in the text, was when the characters hear about a pilgrim who had lost his little roll (which pilgrims must present, upon arrival at the Celestial City). After going off course, he decides to try returning to the pilgrimage, but it’s too late.
To be clear, the Good King is also, and probably more frequently, described as being gentle and helpful. However, I am wary of messages that use fear (of punishment, for example) as a motivator. I am all the more wary of this theme in a work for little children.
I recognize that these elements are derived from the original story, and are most likely “toned down” for the younger audience. It’s also fair to note that a few mentions of punishment are tempered by discussions about the Good Prince’s sacrifice.
While I see what the author is doing here, in terms of atonement, I’m still not comfortable with how this message is being conveyed to young readers. Also on the topic of subject matter, Little Pilgrim’s Progress also carries over some additional mature content from the original:
Faithful is martyred in Vanity Fair. Christian is ultimately spared from seeing this, but he knows what is happening. This is an intense scene, in general, but worsened (in my opinion) because Faithful (like Christian) is depicted as a child.
In addition to the pilgrim who was too late to finish his journey, a character named Ignorance is turned away from the Celestial City. The Wicked Prince sneers that he “should have done exactly as [the Good King] told.”
Final Thoughts
Although there is a lot I liked about Little Pilgrim’s Progress, I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing it with a young reader. Between the depiction of the Good King as punitive and some of the more intense scenes, I’m not able to recommend this book for its intended audience.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
The Positives
Before I express my concern, I would like to start by saying that, in many ways, Little Pilgrim’s Progress is a charmingly delightful story.
The illustrations evoke a beauty and tenderness I don’t often see captured in longer books for children. The animal characters are so well depicted—appropriately sweet, fierce, clever or sly in perfect keeping with the narrative. Sutphin’s illustrations truly bring the story to life, and it’s the sort of artwork I wouldn’t mind having prints of. Sutphin’s artwork is also the reason the book caught my eye. Little Christian, who is a rabbit in the story, is an absolute darling!
Narratively, there are some truly beautiful lines about “the Good Prince,” which describe how He loves and cares for His little pilgrims. I also enjoyed some refreshing passages about what it means to live in a broken world. The narrator consistently reminds readers that Christian is fleeing from the city of the Wicked Prince, which I found to be an encouragement in this cultural moment.
I also appreciated little Christian’s bewilderment at points, not because he was confused, but because he was willing to look to the Good King in these moments. As an adult reader, though admittedly not the target audience for the book, I also experiences times of bewilderment. It’s good to remember that, like little Christian, I can turn to the King in any distress. This is a valuable message for readers of any age.
My Concern
As a disclosure, I’m not well acquainted with The Pilgrim’s Progress. I can recall reading the original once in college. I’m not entirely sure whether I was required to read the whole book or selected portions. I’m also aware that The Pilgrim’s Progress is a beloved classic that has endured multiple centuries.
With that said, I’m hesitant to recommend Little Pilgrim’s Progress because of the occasional characterization of the Good King as punitive.
One line that stuck out to me, in a negative way, was something along the lines of, “I hope the Good King doesn’t punish us.”
A similar instance that caused me discomfort, in the text, was when the characters hear about a pilgrim who had lost his little roll (which pilgrims must present, upon arrival at the Celestial City). After going off course, he decides to try returning to the pilgrimage, but it’s too late.
To be clear, the Good King is also, and probably more frequently, described as being gentle and helpful. However, I am wary of messages that use fear (of punishment, for example) as a motivator. I am all the more wary of this theme in a work for little children.
I recognize that these elements are derived from the original story, and are most likely “toned down” for the younger audience. It’s also fair to note that a few mentions of punishment are tempered by discussions about the Good Prince’s sacrifice.
While I see what the author is doing here, in terms of atonement, I’m still not comfortable with how this message is being conveyed to young readers. Also on the topic of subject matter, Little Pilgrim’s Progress also carries over some additional mature content from the original:
Faithful is martyred in Vanity Fair. Christian is ultimately spared from seeing this, but he knows what is happening. This is an intense scene, in general, but worsened (in my opinion) because Faithful (like Christian) is depicted as a child.
In addition to the pilgrim who was too late to finish his journey, a character named Ignorance is turned away from the Celestial City. The Wicked Prince sneers that he “should have done exactly as [the Good King] told.”
Final Thoughts
Although there is a lot I liked about Little Pilgrim’s Progress, I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing it with a young reader. Between the depiction of the Good King as punitive and some of the more intense scenes, I’m not able to recommend this book for its intended audience.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
August 28, 2026
This is my favorite version of any adapted story of the Pilgrims Progress we’ve read. And we really did love and enjoy it! But now while reading Bunyan’s original story, I feel that any revised version just doesn’t compare to the original and if I had it to do over again, I would read the original text to my children from the beginning.
September 17, 2022
Really good. This edition is full of beautiful illustrations. My girls (5 and 6) loved listening as I read a couple of chapters at a time. They even began to play make believe as pilgrims on the road to the celestial city.
Beautifully written, and there is much in here for the parents as well.
Well done, Moody Press.
Beautifully written, and there is much in here for the parents as well.
Well done, Moody Press.
September 6, 2023
This was a great book! I loved the story of little Christian and his pilgrimage. The illustrations were absolutely stunning as well! However, while it was still good, I got a bit bogged down with Christiana’s journey in the second half of the book. It was pretty repetitive and it didn’t have as many illustrations.
March 3, 2023
Background/Overview: This beautiful new edition of "Little Pilgrim's Progress" (1947) with the characters adapted to be animals is a captivating edition for children and parents. The book includes Part I (Christian) and Part II (Christiana) and is 300 pages long.
Our older kids (aged 7 and 5) both glued in from the beginning to end, imagining the world that Bunyan originally created with the same names, places and content as the adapted version published in 1947.
Little Pilgrim's Progress and other adaptations for children are our kids favorite books of all time and they want to read them again and again. In fact, when we finished this book, the first thing they asked was whether John Bunyan was going to write a Part III. After explaining that it wouldn't be possible, they asked when we were going to read this one again. They loved the pictures and the animations in the book, and it was part of the magic of this created world.
Beyond just a simple "kids" book, this book is rich with vivid depiction of the Christian life and of Biblical truth. The kids are learning allegorical truth without even realizing it, and I have been shocked at many times during family devotions when the kids will say something like "Oh, that's like when little Christian talks to .... or goes to ...." They are equating the truth with the pictures in the story and it's a great foundation for them to build on as they learn deep and profound truths.
Lastly, this book is a joy for parents to read too. I found myself tearing up in many places, but especially the end where Christ calls each of his Pilgrim's across the "river" at different times and in different ways to His Celestial City. It is incredibly moving and I looked forward to reading it every night (sometimes, I think, more than the kids).
Ages appropriate: Because of the old English (1940s. Think Beatrix Potter-type English) it would be difficult for children aged 5 and younger to listen to this book, most likely. Ages 6-12 are probably the best targeted age group (though, again, the truths are really profound and could be studied by teenagers as well).
Favorite Quotes/Excerpts:
Encounter at the cross: "Presently he came to a place where there was a little hill by the side of the road, and upon the hill he saw the very thing for which he was longing. There stood the Cross, and the moment little Christian began to climb the path that led to it, he felt that the bands that fastened his burden were breaking. Then it fell from his shoulders and rolled to the bottom of the hill, and when he turned to see what had become of it, he found that it was quite gone...and the sun shone brightly on the Cross, and he knew that he must be awake and that the King had really taken the weight from his shoulders forever. 'Now I can walk as quickly as I like,' he said. And he stayed looking at the Cross, with hi heart full of joy and thankfulness."
When Christian meets his mother at the end of his journey: "'I am happy now,' said little Christian, 'because I have found you, and you love me.' 'Ah yes,' she answered, 'but the love of the King is far greater than mine!'
Our older kids (aged 7 and 5) both glued in from the beginning to end, imagining the world that Bunyan originally created with the same names, places and content as the adapted version published in 1947.
Little Pilgrim's Progress and other adaptations for children are our kids favorite books of all time and they want to read them again and again. In fact, when we finished this book, the first thing they asked was whether John Bunyan was going to write a Part III. After explaining that it wouldn't be possible, they asked when we were going to read this one again. They loved the pictures and the animations in the book, and it was part of the magic of this created world.
Beyond just a simple "kids" book, this book is rich with vivid depiction of the Christian life and of Biblical truth. The kids are learning allegorical truth without even realizing it, and I have been shocked at many times during family devotions when the kids will say something like "Oh, that's like when little Christian talks to .... or goes to ...." They are equating the truth with the pictures in the story and it's a great foundation for them to build on as they learn deep and profound truths.
Lastly, this book is a joy for parents to read too. I found myself tearing up in many places, but especially the end where Christ calls each of his Pilgrim's across the "river" at different times and in different ways to His Celestial City. It is incredibly moving and I looked forward to reading it every night (sometimes, I think, more than the kids).
Ages appropriate: Because of the old English (1940s. Think Beatrix Potter-type English) it would be difficult for children aged 5 and younger to listen to this book, most likely. Ages 6-12 are probably the best targeted age group (though, again, the truths are really profound and could be studied by teenagers as well).
Favorite Quotes/Excerpts:
Encounter at the cross: "Presently he came to a place where there was a little hill by the side of the road, and upon the hill he saw the very thing for which he was longing. There stood the Cross, and the moment little Christian began to climb the path that led to it, he felt that the bands that fastened his burden were breaking. Then it fell from his shoulders and rolled to the bottom of the hill, and when he turned to see what had become of it, he found that it was quite gone...and the sun shone brightly on the Cross, and he knew that he must be awake and that the King had really taken the weight from his shoulders forever. 'Now I can walk as quickly as I like,' he said. And he stayed looking at the Cross, with hi heart full of joy and thankfulness."
When Christian meets his mother at the end of his journey: "'I am happy now,' said little Christian, 'because I have found you, and you love me.' 'Ah yes,' she answered, 'but the love of the King is far greater than mine!'
April 24, 2024
We started reading this book and took a long break as we started too many other books. My kids loved this book! I thought it was an amazing allegory & welled up with the beauty of story many times.
There were a couple theological issues I took note of & we were able to have some good conversations about them.
Things that stuck out to me as incorrect biblically:
-Not being friends with non-pilgrims. This point was repeatedly made and I strongly disagree with this. Evangelizing doesn’t happen except through Evangelist? Kind of what I picked up on.
-When the Giant Despair offers them poison, it’s stated that pilgrims who take the poison to commit suicide will not see the King. It seems that it’s an unforgivable sin
-when the pilgrims sin, they repent and ask forgiveness are given “punishment”
-some other minor things where the emphasis was placed on what the pilgrim does instead of what the Good Prince has already done.
What I loved about this book:
-The pilgrims are helped constantly by the King in stunning ways
-how often they were unsure of which way to go along the journey (and were helped by the King)
-the depiction of death at the end of the book was incredible. Valiant crossing and telling the others that though the river (death) is often feared, its bed is firm and he can see clearly. Simply beautiful.
-the King calling for his pilgrims when it’s their time to come to him
Overall, it’s a beautiful allegory. I don’t usually go into depth on books but I’m picky about what i read my kids and love to see others reviews before reading them.
There were a couple theological issues I took note of & we were able to have some good conversations about them.
Things that stuck out to me as incorrect biblically:
-Not being friends with non-pilgrims. This point was repeatedly made and I strongly disagree with this. Evangelizing doesn’t happen except through Evangelist? Kind of what I picked up on.
-When the Giant Despair offers them poison, it’s stated that pilgrims who take the poison to commit suicide will not see the King. It seems that it’s an unforgivable sin
-when the pilgrims sin, they repent and ask forgiveness are given “punishment”
-some other minor things where the emphasis was placed on what the pilgrim does instead of what the Good Prince has already done.
What I loved about this book:
-The pilgrims are helped constantly by the King in stunning ways
-how often they were unsure of which way to go along the journey (and were helped by the King)
-the depiction of death at the end of the book was incredible. Valiant crossing and telling the others that though the river (death) is often feared, its bed is firm and he can see clearly. Simply beautiful.
-the King calling for his pilgrims when it’s their time to come to him
Overall, it’s a beautiful allegory. I don’t usually go into depth on books but I’m picky about what i read my kids and love to see others reviews before reading them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2020
This book is amazingly beautiful. I absolutely loved this story.
The Pilgrim's Progress shows in perfect detail how the Christian life is. Yes we fall, but we get back up because we have a King. We run into people who pretend to love Jesus but are frauds. I am so happy that I finally read this gorgeous masterpiece. I strongly believe that brother John Bunyan was inspired by the Holy Spirit when he wrote this allegory. I'm also thankful to sister Helen L. Taylor for translating it into a dialect that I could fully comprehend. Every Christian should read this beautifully written piece of perfection.
The Pilgrim's Progress has easily become a favorite of mine and I will read it for the rest of my life. I loved this book and HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
The Pilgrim's Progress shows in perfect detail how the Christian life is. Yes we fall, but we get back up because we have a King. We run into people who pretend to love Jesus but are frauds. I am so happy that I finally read this gorgeous masterpiece. I strongly believe that brother John Bunyan was inspired by the Holy Spirit when he wrote this allegory. I'm also thankful to sister Helen L. Taylor for translating it into a dialect that I could fully comprehend. Every Christian should read this beautifully written piece of perfection.
The Pilgrim's Progress has easily become a favorite of mine and I will read it for the rest of my life. I loved this book and HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
May 8, 2014
When I told my son we needed to give this book a score out of five he said "Can we give it a five and a half, because it was sooooo good!" So from the mouth of a six year old and his older dad, this book is great led to some great conversations about faith and our walk with the Lord!! Highest recommendation!!!!
Read a second time in 2020 with my whole family. Five year old and eight year old loved it!
Read a second time in 2020 with my whole family. Five year old and eight year old loved it!
February 10, 2023
I didn’t appreciate this book. The writing wasn’t easy for my kids. And the lessons weren’t great - there’s no incentive to love your neighbour; you actually get punished for even talking to the wrong person. Punishment is everywhere, and there’s very little room for grace or forgiveness. Total fire and brimstone approach.
April 28, 2022
It took us 2 months to work through this one, what with school and periodically colds which prevented me from being able to read, but it was worth every minute! The illustrations are adorable and perfect. The kids loved it.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
January 12, 2022
Wonderful retelling of the original masterpiece for children. My 8 year old and I loved it and it opened doorways for us to have deeper conversations about faith.
August 12, 2022
Great read for kids..
April 27, 2024
"Adventurous. Two versions, Christiana was my favorite. I liked all the characters they met."
February 10, 2026
I read this aloud to my kidlings and we all thoroughly enjoyed the slightly different retelling of the story. The illustrations are so good and I love how they make me feel.
December 19, 2024
4.5 stars
I haven’t read Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress” all the way through (I plan to next year), so I can’t speak to how faithfully this book adapts it for children, but to me it seemed really well-done. I reserve the right to change my mind after reading the original.
Even on its own, this is a genuinely wonderful book. The portrayal of the characters as animals, and of Christian in particular as a young rabbit, seems to make the material more approachable for children while still retaining the incredible power of Bunyan’s original work. As an adult, I was deeply moved throughout, especially when little Christian makes it to the Celestial City. The second half of the book tells the story of Christiana, portrayed as another young rabbit who is little Christian’s friend (rather than wife). The way this story frames the journey of the Christian life and the single-minded determination of the pilgrims to serve their King and reach His palace in the Celestial City is truly awe-inspiring and deeply encouraging. Obviously we have Bunyan to thank for that, but I think Helen Taylor does a really great job telling the story in a way that children can learn from and understand and grow to love and that adults reading to them can love too.
I haven’t read Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress” all the way through (I plan to next year), so I can’t speak to how faithfully this book adapts it for children, but to me it seemed really well-done. I reserve the right to change my mind after reading the original.
Even on its own, this is a genuinely wonderful book. The portrayal of the characters as animals, and of Christian in particular as a young rabbit, seems to make the material more approachable for children while still retaining the incredible power of Bunyan’s original work. As an adult, I was deeply moved throughout, especially when little Christian makes it to the Celestial City. The second half of the book tells the story of Christiana, portrayed as another young rabbit who is little Christian’s friend (rather than wife). The way this story frames the journey of the Christian life and the single-minded determination of the pilgrims to serve their King and reach His palace in the Celestial City is truly awe-inspiring and deeply encouraging. Obviously we have Bunyan to thank for that, but I think Helen Taylor does a really great job telling the story in a way that children can learn from and understand and grow to love and that adults reading to them can love too.
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