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 | 9781802543544 |
| Format | Hardback |
| First published | June 2026 |
| Dimensions | 195mm x 240mm x 7.2mm |
| Weight | 0.35 kg |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 32 |
| 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
This is another wonderful addition to the âDo Great Things for Godâ series. We enjoy these short picture books as a way to learn about the lives of faithful Christians.
This series always has beautiful illustrations and this one is no exception. They take a story and make it accessible for children with an emphasis on how God works in their lives. Each book includes a real life photo and timeline of the person which is ever so helpful. This book also includes questions at the end and additional free resources for interacting with the personâs story. The homeschool mom in me loves these mini lessons! We really enjoyed the addition of the map pages at the end of this story as well.
While this series has been a favorite in our family since the beginning, my son is especially excited that they have been releasing âboyâ books after a long line of wonderful stories about women. Jonathan Edwards having only sisters also resonated with my only son, and my children were surprised that people expected his sermons to last a whole hour! Because this book mentions the dispute from Edwards about who can partake in the Lordâs Supper, weâre able to have a great conversation with our kids about our beliefs as Presbyterians and how they align with Edwards based on our understanding of Scripture. Iâm grateful for the hard working people that produce these books so that I can teach my children about such amazing people.
I received a complimentary copy as a reviewer and all opinions shared are my own.
The entire Do Great Things for God series from @thegoodbookcompanyusa is phenomenal! Itâs a great way to introduce little ones to men and women of faith! There are bonus materials available for free on @thegoodbookcompanyusa website, which makes these books perfect for use in homeschooling, Sunday school, mission events, etc. Each book includes discussion questions, a timeline and a map.
This book introduces children to the amazing life of Jonathan Edwards, a famous preacher during the Great Awakening. The story follows him from his childhood (the only boy among 11 children) to his death. This story will encourage children to trust that God will work his extraordinary purposes through our everyday faithfulness. One of the things that struck me in this story was the way that Jonathan was a passionate Christian from such a young age, he was willing and ready to use his talents for Godâs glory.
âJesus had Jonathanâs heart, and he had Sarahâs. And thanks to the life and sermons and books of Jonathan Edwards, many other people have had minds and hearts for Jesus as well.ââ¨
Highly recommend getting a copy of this book! I love that this series has started including men of faith!
Thank you to @thegoodbookcompanyusa for sending me a copy of these wonderful books in exchange for my honest review!
I love that godly men are being added to this wonderful series! This is a great book to introduce your children to Jonathan Edwards. You could use this in your homeschool or childrenâs church in your congregation. The illustrations are great and there are discussion questions at the end to do some reflection. If you have younger children, you could just ask them what their favorite part of the story is and keep it simple.
My daughter is getting older and I have been really enjoying connecting history for her through books like this.
Thank you to the publisher for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to the author and publisher for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
While I have heard of Jonathan Edwards before, this book was the first biography book I have read. I like how easy it is to understand. His sermons are on my to be read list. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful. I recommend this book!
In Jonathan Edwards: The Boy Who Sparked Revival, David Mathis introduces young readers to one of the most influential pastors and theologians in American history.
The book traces Edwardsâs love for Godâs Word and his lifelong commitment to studying, writing, and preaching the Scriptures. It shows how God used an ordinary boy with a deep love for truth to play a significant role in the revival known as the Great Awakening.
Study and Teach Scripture
I was most interested to read Edwardsâs disagreement with his grandfatherâs view that people could participate in the Lordâs Supper without a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Edwards believed the church should uphold the importance of a credible profession of faith.
This book encourages children to treasure Godâs Word and demonstrates the impact that a life devoted to studying and teaching Scripture can have on the world.
I received a media copy of Jonathan Edwards: The Boy Who Sparked Revival and this is my honest review.
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.
