Luke 12:16-21 for Children. Illustrated by Sally Matthews.
I realize that I’m picking up this book 54 years too late, but why is it that I’ve never heard of this amazing 127-book series put out by Concordia Publishing House? The Rich Fool is just one of six books in Series 1 (with 18 series total!) of “Arch Books: Quality Religious Books for Children”, and I believe that if all books are as good as this one, I’d invest in the whole caboodle.
The author takes a little liberty in retelling this parable from Christ, but for the sake of the kids, I think she does a great job of it. The meter of her poem is simple and the story moves logically forward, even through a bit of silliness that my children loved. Her final lesson about death is the perfect way for a parent or teacher to spark a conversation on either death or the importance of living a life untainted by selfishness. I have virtually nothing to say against the writing, but what I really love about the book is Sally Matthews’ illustrations.
Half of these drawings follow a strong monochromatic structure tinted with yellows, and yet the other half contain rich, full colors that bring the parable to life. Matthews’ style certainly grows from a 1960s tradition, though it also seems to mix in hints of Egyptian hieroglyphs as well. This combination offers a unique look to a story of Christ, and I honestly wish I could find more. If you’re fortunate enough to have copies of this old series lying around, gobble them up. They fascinated my kids and will certainly do the same for yours. I highly recommend this and—without ever having seen the rest, if I may be so bold—the entire series.
©2017 E.T.
My mother gave me lots of little Arch Books when I was a kid. Kept them all. The absolute best are the rhyming ones. Some of the rhymers are way better and more inspiring than others. The Rich Fool and The Good Samaritan are the creme de la creme. I read them to my grandchildren nowadays.
I remember this book around 50 yrs ago, my dad bought me when he noticed i could already read. I remember i would read it over & over, but still excited everyrime, the story truly touched my heart as a child & the had in some way guided in my daily life decisions, on what truly matters, & i dont know but i found the illustration somehow weird but very interesting as i looked at the man who just worked & worked to gain the world without facial expression, if i remember it right… which now i realized to had been an unhappy man. The color is one big factor making each page more interesting. Where in the Philippines could i buy the book?
Hi. I think there may be another version of this story out there. Except it involves cereal and the man making money from corn and turning it into cereal. I cant remember the title. Does ajy of this ring a bell?
That one does not ring any bells for me, sorry. I can’t even think of a parable that such a story would relate to!
Sorry to hear of your grandmother’s passing, but great that you found some things that remind you of her! I’ve actually come across a few more of the books over the years. I found one on Jonah, which has similar ’60s artwork to this Rich Man book, and then one about Job which seemed totally updated in its artwork. Either way, I’d still love to find more. I wonder if Arch ever made an anthology of them?
Well, my grandmother died last September. As we just recently put the For Sale sign on her house, I was going through the last few boxes left in the garage, and I came across the sleu of the books you speak of. I do not know why I picked up 3-4 of the books and took them home. I started looking at these books and of course it reminded of my Gram who taught all of us Religion as we were growing up. She was the neighborhood Religion teacher.
At this point, I just wanted to mention it to you. Maybe you could tell me a little more of what you know about these specific books. I bet there are very few around, My seem to be a very good condition. None of the books are ripped in any way. Maybe a hint of discoloration unless thats the kind of paper they used in 1964. ha ha I was born in 1965 and thought, these books are the same age as me. How incredible!!