It is my honor to review a new picture book by Randal Gilmore entitled The Sparrow and the Tortoise. It is a “thoughtful tale of a sparrow’s journey to discover what is real and what is just a reflection.”
From the beginning of the story, the reader is aware that there is a deeper meaning behind the tale and is challenged to think about his/her perception of reality and personal belief system. Contrasting the giant Buddha statue in Kamakura and the God of Christianity, readers are invited to pause and think about what they believe and why they believe it.
Having traveled to Japan, I loved all of the culture embedded into the pages of the book. Japanese poetry, landmarks, and elements of nature give the book a unique flavor. I think it will make an excellent discussion starter for ESL classes, or a springboard for discussing world views and spiritual beliefs.
You can purchase the book on Amazon: The Sparrow and the Tortoise
About the author:
Randal Gilmore is the Pacific Rim Regional Director of Word of Life International and Field Director of Word of Life Japan. Previously, Randal served as a Senior Pastor for 35 years. Randal holds a M.A. in Organizational Communication from Western Michigan University. He is on track to complete a D.R.E. from Trinity Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana, in the summer of 2016. Randal is the author of numerous books, magazine articles and blog posts, and serves as a frequent conference speaker. Randal and his wife, Dale, are blessed to be the parents of five sons and two daughters-in-law, and grandparents of eight.
If you are interested in teaching ESL to Japanese people from a Christian perspective, check out this free resource that will transform your approach: http://funneling.life
You can follow Randal Gilmore’s blog at: Randal Gilmore’s blog