Retold for children, and about children, the classic tale of the pitfalls and ultimate prize of the Christian life is made real and relevant for boys – and girls aged 8 to 12. Adapted for the children of the ‘Narnia’ generation 60 years ago, Helen L. Taylor’s ‘Little Pilgrim's Progress’ continues to prove its popularity with more than half a million copies bought.
Now reprinted in heritage style binding and illustrated throughout in characterful pen and ink drawings this engaging retelling introduces the young pilgrims, Christian and Christiana, as they begin their eventful journey from Destruction to the Celestial City.
Helen L Taylor’s adaptation of John Bunyan’s ‘The Pilgrim's Progress’ makes an accessible read for a younger audience while staying fairly true to the original and without dumbing down its themes of sacrifice and redemption. The book is presented as two main stories: the journey of Christian, a boy from the City of Destruction and his journey to the Celestial City, and the story of Christiana, a young girl who, follows the same road at a more leisurely pace tracing the footsteps trodden by Christian.
True to the original there is plenty of struggle, danger, temptations, traps, hardship and even death, though in words and emotions appropriate to children but for the youngest readers. Christian and his counterparts travel the path to the Celestial Kingdom encountering virtues and vices as different characters and landscapes. This book is in the tradition of allegory and storytelling, based on the 17th century classic. With messages and lessons sprinkled through the story, older children and grown-ups will enjoy discovering and discussing the hidden meanings of the pilgrim journey, while enjoying a good, old-fashioned tale of adventure.