Show kids that God can work powerfully through the simple sharing of his word, as he did in the inspiring true story of Jonathan Edwards.
Part of the Do Great Things For God series.
Inspire kids with this true tale of God working powerfully through the simple sharing of his word. Jonathan Edwardsâ story encourages kids to trust that God can do extraordinary things through everyday faithfulness.
Kids will follow Jonathan from his boyhood love of Latin, the Bible and nature to his ministry work as a pastor, author and missionary. Theyâll see how God worked through Edwards' simple faithfulness to bring about revival.
Charming illustrations of 18th-century life in America draw kids into the story as they learn about Godâs work during an important time in history. Kids will discover thatâŚ
This book is part of the Do Great Things for God series, designed to show kids how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Download free extras, such as worksheets, to help children interact with the true story and think of ways in which they can also follow God and encourage his people today.
This series can be read to young children or enjoyed independently by early readers. The free extras make these stories useful for homeschool, Sunday school, missions events and more.
Jonathan Edwards: Illustrated biography
Further notes for adults and older children
| Age range: | 4+ |
|---|---|
| Contributors | David Mathis, Lee Dixon |
| ISBN | 9781802543551 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | June 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
âI wish this book had been available when our kids were small. Edwards has been massively influential in my life. This book would have stirred up lots of good questions to talk about. For example, can we have heroes who made mistakes? Iâm glad David Mathis and Lee Dixon teamed up to make Edwardsâ story available for children.â
âA story told like this is a powerful way to inspire children in what an eager, faithful walk with the Lord really looks like!â
I did not know anything about Jonathan Edwards, so this book was as eye-opening to me as it was to my 7-year-old daughter. I really enjoyed this book. One of my favorites in the series. You know itâs good when you find yourself talking out loud to it: âOh, wow! How interesting!â âHe died? At only 54?? I did not know that. How sad.â
This book makes me want to learn more about him. Th author does a wonderful job of giving an overview of his life while highlighting key movements. I enjoyed a learning about the âGreat Awakening,â and how he was fired for wanting to change the church. Edwards last words were: âTrust in God and you need not fear.â
The illustrations are also absolutely delightful!!
What a great introduction to Jonathan Edwards for ages 5+. The book includes a timeline, map, questions to think about, and a portrait.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
The Do Great Things for God biography series is great for Christian families. These picture books cover different historical time periods, global locations, and themes, with age-appropriate content and a writing style geared towards young children and early elementary-aged students. This new installment focuses on Jonathan Edwards, a notable preacher and theologian from early American history.
This book begins with Edwards's early life, and the text describes his studies, his growing faith, and his work as a pastor and missionary. The illustrations by Lee Dixon depict scenes from Edwards's life and ministry, and these pictures will help kids visualize the historical time period. In this short biography, author David Mathis emphasizes Edwards's role in The Great Awakening, showing how God used Edwards's faithful service during this time of revival. The story concludes with Edwards's death from smallpox, and after this, the book includes bonus features like discussion questions and a timeline.
Mathis sidesteps complicated or negative aspects of Edwards's life and legacy, such as his ownership of slaves and defense of slavery. I would view this omission negatively if this book was longer and intended for older kids. However, because this is a brief picture book biography intended for little ones, I think it is acceptable. Also, the thematic emphasis here isn't that Edwards was a moral exemplar, but that God was at work through this man's ministry.
"Jonathan Edwards: The Boy Who Sparked Revival" will appeal to fans of this biography series, and to people who appreciate Jonathan Edwards and want to introduce children to his life story. The book has a positive message about how God can use people's faithful ministry, and there are free resources and worksheets on the publisher's website for parents or Christian school teachers to use with kids.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I loved the introduction to Jonathan Edwards' life in this book with a clear theme of a life centered on Scripture and faithful teaching.
Jonathan Edwardsâ story focuses on a deep and steady devotion to the Bible, showing children what it looks like to build a life around studying and teaching Godâs Word.
Rather than dramatic events, it emphasizes consistency, conviction, and lifelong faithfulness in serving God through Scripture, which I think is really wonderful.
One of my favorite things about the Do Great Things For God series is the variety of people that it features. Each person has a different story, a different path and even different giftings and passions; not everyone is the same! But they all share a common theme: a desire to follow Jesus and live for Him!
I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
If youâre looking for books to expand your childâs exposure to spiritual âgreatsâ of our faith, start with this picture book biography series!
Best for:
⢠ages 4+ (think reading to your young children or enjoyed independently by your readers!)
⢠free downloadable extras on the website pair with each book and interact with the story as they consider ways they can follow and obey God. These also make the books great for use in homeschooling, teaching Sunday school, or missions events!
Why I love it:
⢠As kids get a glimpse into the lives of men and women who faithfully served God, they come to understand how God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for His glory. The series is diverse and helps kids build a broad understanding of the myriad of ways Christians have served God throughout the ages and across the world.
⢠The vivid illustrations bring the biographical stories to life and help kids connect to the faith journeys of those who came before them.
What it teaches:
No matter how old your kids are, what their interests are or what they dream of doing, through this series of books they can come to see that their lives can be spent in service to the King - and that there is truly nothing better.
A big thank you to TheGoodBook for copies of their new releases to share with you all! Jonathan Edwards and Elisabeth Elliot are available now on their website or wherever you get your books!
"This inspiring biography of Jonathan Edwards will show kids that God can work powerfully through the simple sharing of his word."
My Thoughts:
I've heard of Jonathan Edwards, but besides being a great evangelist, there was little I actually knew of his life. I was glad to learn more about him alongside my children with this soon-to-be-released picture book! It introduces young readers to his life's story in an interesting, easy-to-understand way; colorful illustrations bring the story to life and help keep little ones engaged. After reading this book to your children, you may even be inspired to pick up a more detailed biography of him for yourself!
3.5/5 âď¸ For this little biography.
â ď¸Parent Notes:
(A couple of things parents may wish to be aware of, all stated simply, but could open some conversations.)
Relationship - Jonathan Edwards met and corresponded with Sarah, a 10-year-old girl, and he later married her when she was 17. (I know culturally things were different, but this does not sit well with me, and I believe that we must consider the audience of this book.) This book merely states "he met a girl...."
Death and Illness - Jonathan Edwards dies of smallpox, which he contracted from the smallpox vaccine. The book ends with this.
I love a good childrenâs biography. I was obsessed with this history and writings of Jonathan Edwards when I was in high school and this was a special book to revisit his life and legacy.
This is a simply but well written book, the illustrations are also simple but sweet and in a day when AI illustrations are taking over, these were a breath of fresh air.
My newly three year old loved the book. The discussion questions at the end are too deep for him but make the book engaging and useful for years to come, I can easily see using this book and others from this series in school when he is older.
Thanks to @thegoodbookcompanyusa for this review copy!
We need men like Jonathan Edwards today. Men who will preach with the spirit of God and teach and instruct the next generation. This is a great inspiring biography. Jonathan Edwards was a great man who was used mightily by God and this comes across in the book.
I really enjoyed Jonathan Edwards: The Boy Who Sparked Revival by David Mathis. This was such an easy and engaging introduction to Jonathan Edwards for kids, and I loved the reminder that God often works through ordinary faithfulness in powerful ways. The illustrations are charming and really bring early America to life. I also appreciated the focus on loving Scripture, trusting God, and seeing His hand throughout history. This would be a great addition to family reading time, homeschool, or Sunday school.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review, and all thoughts are my own.
