Sunshine Country

by Kristina Roy

Palko is part of a mystery, several in fact, but he doesn't know that. The only mystery he knows is the one that involves the hidden cave and the secret book that shows the way to the Sunshine Country - and Palko longs to go there. He has heard that in that land there is no darkness or fear, sickness or weeping. Soon he has his grandfather, Uncle Martin and the whole village wondering about the amazing little book that tells them such wonderful truths about the love of God and the forgiveness of sins. Even Father Malina starts to ask questions. But then there is the mystery about Palko's past and another little boy who went missing - Uncle Martin is trying to find him and Palko promises to do the same. Will they find the little boy after such a long time? Are they in fact looking in the right place? Perhaps the mystery isn't so mysterious after all.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Childrens, Christian, Historical Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Kristina Roy was a Slovak Protestant activist, thinker, revivalist, novelist and poet. She was founder of the Blue Cross and diaconical centre in Stará Turá. Her literary works were translated into 123 languages.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago. I must have been about 10 when I first read it, and I read and reread it many a time over the years. Palko is a foundling child, growing up in Catholic Eastern Europe. But one day he finds a Bible in a cave, and it changes his whole world.
If you have children in your life, or if you need a short book with a fabulous, heart-squeezing, birds-singing finale, read this book!

[Amanda Tero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can in no way fault the spiritual content of this book. The whole plot and theme of this book is the Gospel message and a little boy and his surrounding friends learning about the truth from the Scriptures. It displays the difference between what the Bible teaches and Catholic traditions (which this book basically refuted).

This is an old book, and I’m not a huge fan of this particular old story-telling style. The characters were a little flat and all the same (they all cried so much!), and Palko was pretty much the perfect child that led everyone else to Christ.

There was a neat little twist in Palko’s life that I didn’t think to expect until some events began to unfold. I enjoyed that.

In short, it was a cute, refreshing book, just not 100% my style.

[Anete Ābola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ļoti forša bērnu grāmatiņa, kas iedrošina mīļot Dieva Vārdu, izvērtēt, vai lasītājs ir atgriezies no grēka un sācis sekot Kristum. Galvenais varonis - deviņgadīgs zēns, kurš palicis bez vecākiem. Brīnišķīgs papildsižets - katoļu priesteris manto glābšanu caur Jēzus Kristus nopelnu vien. Sižets ar negaidītiem pagriezieniem un laimīgām beigām.

Very sweet children's book that encourages the love for the Word of God and to seek and find if the reader is truly saved through Christ's merits alone. Teaser: a catholic priest finds salvation in Christ!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I read with my family when I was young. Very good for a young kid.

[Jorge Ulises Salazar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Libro muy corto, que apenas si logré terminar de leer. Fue adquirido por impulso en cierto museo histórico, de cierta ciudad mexicana, con la falsa idea de que se trataba de algún relato clásico o tradicional de la cultura de Europa del este. Al final no es más que un cuento moralista simplón, con tono religioso muy marcado que intenta llevar el mensaje del cristianismo a un público infantil.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

We just finished this as a read aloud. Delightful! What a moving story of a young boy who discovers God's Word and the way to the "Sunshine Country" and shares this way, as only a child can, with his family and the local Priest.

[Karen]

Recommended by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay in "For the Family's Sake"...krb 9/12/19

[Natalya · Rating 5 out of 5]

So precious!

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving story set in the early 20th century in Czechslovakia. We read this in our homeschool Dialectic history studies.

[France · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una de las historias más tierna y hermosa que he leído.

[Blessy Joel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book for all.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

[Liesl Back · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorites. A childrens book - a true story of a boy who finds a Bible in a cave, and soon his whole village (Catholic) is excited to find the Truth in the Book.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A precious, delightful read about a poor, young orphan and his discovery of truth. I enjoyed his joy in a humble life, his pure example of childlike faith, and that little Palko was a forager.

[Tammy Jata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, I can't tell you how often I read this as a kid! Again, this another book my sister and I just devoured!

[Vanessa VD · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too religious for my taste.

[Hailey Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The strong belief of a little child was so sweet to read about.

[M.J. Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top favorite Christian fiction stories. The simple faith of a little child taking God at his world is truly beautiful!