A true story about the master who serves

“Jesus and the Very Big Surprise: A True Story About Jesus, His Return, and How to Be Ready” by Randall Goodgame is such a fun children’s book that is full of biblical truth. Specifically, it shares in the gospel through surprises, such as Jesus’ birth as a baby in a stable, servanthood, and his resurrection. The illustrations by Catalina Echeverri are lovely too!

You may have heard about Randall Goodgame around here because we’re longtime fans of his family music called Slugs & Bugs. We’ve gotten to know him in a real life as we hosted some S&B concerts, and it’s easy to be a fan of his work. I ordered this book as soon as I heard about it – and I’m glad I did. He makes learning about and knowing God fun and easy.

The last page references the specific bible stories and where we can find them, including the parable of the master and his servants found in Luke 12:35-38. Randall previously wrote a song about this story called “Be Dressed” that is on Sing the Bible Vol. 1 and is one of my favorite Slugs & Bugs songs.

I asked Rachel which page was her favorite because I wanted to take a picture of an inside page and she immediately turned to a purple one, probably because she likes the color. But I really love the words from that page:

“No one knows the day or
hour when Jesus will return
(it could be any minute!).

And just like the
servants in his story,
we have plenty to
do while we wait!

There are hungry
people to serve,
lonely people to
care for,
friends to
share with,
and enemies to
forgive.

And it all beings
with loving Jesus,
the Great Master
who serves.”

About the book

“Jesus and the Very Big Surprise” is part of the Tales that Tell the Truth series from The Good Book Company. This 32-page hardback book is aimed at kids who are 4-8 years old, but here I am at 40 years old loving it. It officially published Feb. 1, 2020. It’s available from Amazon and the Slugs & Bugs’ website.

About the author

Randall Goodgame is a singer/songwriter, and the creative force behind Slugs & Bugs. He has released six solo recordings, and has written many songs for other artists, including seventeen songs for the award-winning band Caedmon’s Call. Randall has written several songs for Veggie Tales, and he spent four years as the worship pastor of Midtown Fellowship in downtown Nashville. Randall enjoys peanut butter and chocolate anything, and being home with his family of five in Nashville, Tenn.

About the illustrator

Catalina Echeverri is a Colombian freelance illustrator specializing in children’s books. She is based in London, and illustrated the bestselling “The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross.”

*****

Nobody asked me to write this review. I’m reviewing “Jesus and the Very Big Surprise,” which I bought with my own money, because I want everyone to know about it.