Welch, Edward T. (ed.). Buster’s Ears Trip Him Up: When You Fail. New Growth Press, Greensboro, NC. 2018. 32 pages.
There is always a need for biblical counseling in the church. Whether it is a couple trying to save their marriage or parents dealing with their wayward teenager, the ministry of biblical counseling serves as a guide to counsel from God’s Word. Married couples and parents need it. Teenagers ought to heed it. But what about younger kids? Oftentimes, the scope of biblical counseling seems to apply only to adults and teenagers. Yet, as Christians who believe the Bible applies to all of life for all stages of life, doesn’t God’s Word give direction and counsel for children too? The publishers of New Growth Press believe so and have put forth biblical counseling for kids in their new “Good News For Little Hearts” children’s book series.
Buster’s Race and God’s Grace
In this volume of the series, Buster’s Ears Trip Him Up: When You Fail, we meet a confident bunny named Buster who is so sure he is the fastest animal in the meadow. As the winner of the race at camp the previous year, Buster tells everyone from his parents to his friends he has it in the bag again this year. Everything seems to be going as planned until Buster’s ear slaps him right in the face and not only loses sight but the race as well. Distraught over his failure to win and letting down his team, Buster begins to burst into tears. At that time, his sister takes him on a walk to remind him his failure does not define him. What defines him is God’s love for him and that love never fails. Buster comes to the realization his failure to win the race was such a defeat for him because of the pride he showed before the race. The gospel humbles Buster’s pride and tells him the love of God in Jesus Christ is what defines him, not his failure to win the big race.
Creatively Counseling Children on Failure and Humility
Buster’s Ears Trip Him Up, edited by Edward T. Welch and illustrated by Joe Hox, uses this story about Buster’s race to teach children about God’s grace. In this story, kids receive counsel on how to respond to failure, addressing their sin of pride and the virtue of humility. This counsel is not merely about moral behavior. It gets to the heart. Biblical counselor Edward T. Welch is careful to show how only the gospel can adequately address such failures. This book and series show biblical counseling is not just for big people; it is for little hearts as well. It is biblical counseling for elementary-aged kids. This book is so much more than a book, though. Parents will appreciate the resources found in the back of the book, including a list of how to help their child with anger as well as back pocket Bible verses to cut out or copy for their children to use. If you are a parent who has a child that takes failure hard or tends to express a prideful heart, make sure you pick up a copy of Buster’s Ears Trip Him Up: When You Fail today!
I received this book from New Growth Press in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and are my honest review of the book.
Entrusted By God Ministries 