Lily, the Lemur, and the Lamb King

Caroline Saunders

In Lily, the Lemur and the Lamb King: The Me Tree and Other Adventures, Bob Hartman offers whimsical stories featuring endearing characters whose escapades sneak past our defenses, capture our imagination, and lead us to delight in the Lord. With delicious surprise, I realized I was worshiping as I was reading. In a sense, these engaging stories grab children (and adults) by the hand, and say with excitement, ‘Come with me, and I’ll show you something wonderful!’ I highly commend this lighthearted yet gloriously rich collection of stories to you and your family. You’ll love it!

Justin Brierley

Bob Hartman has done it again. The adventures of Lily, the Lemur and the Lamb King will delight both children and parents in their creative reimagining of stories from the Gospels. Bob is a great storyteller, but the beauty of this book is that it will introduce children to the greatest Storyteller of them all—Jesus.

“Cute, and full of depth!”

This really was such a cute book for kids. With chapters full of whimsical stories, all of which with big messages - it was cute.

As you meet the main characters, I wondered how the author would lay out the stories. However, you’re introduced to the characters in the beginning chapter, which in a way sets the stage for the rest of the stories included.

Also, the explanations of the meanings behind the story, and even including the Bible verses, were impactful. They have depth and understanding, which I really appreciated, and the summaries gave background info. It’s a great prompting and informational tool to use to discuss the stories with kids.

Overall, a cute story book, with great teaching/learning opportunities.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from @thegoodbookcompanyusa . However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.

“Treasures hidden for kids to find”

I took a risk with this book - I wasn't sure if it was going to be too old for my kids (4 + 3). It definitely isn't! It's become their most requested book.

Lily, the Lemur and the Lamb King is a collection of stories about a girl called Lily, her friend The Lemur and their interactions with the Lamb King.

Each story is based of a biblical event, story or parable but presents these to kids in a whimsical 'playground'. The book includes a guide to each story with suggestions of how to connect them to the biblical inspiration. I've decided to leave that for now, to let the kids enjoy the story and the discovery of working it out in their own time.

Because I thought it would be a little old, I started this book as a read aloud while Mr 4 and Miss 3 were playing but within minutes they were snuggled up, listening intently, eager to hear more. I wasn't sure if we would get through a story, but we did, and they requested two more that sitting! Hartmann really understands what will captivate children and weaves the stories in a way that speaks to their hearts.

I love the idea of showing kids a picture of Jesus through story and imagination and this book does that so well!

“Creative storytelling of important truths!”

This was a very unique read for me, unlike anything I’ve read before. These standalone, short stories are inspired by teachings from the Bible and each chapter whimsically teaches a different lesson through a fictional story with frequent illustrations.

Covering topics like materialism and storing up treasures on earth, the value of every person, grief and more, these stories communicate gospel truths through creative storytelling.

The end of the book goes chapter by chapter explaining what parts of the Bible inspired each story & conveying a more didactic message. This section was very helpful as I can see young readers not always being able to make the connections in the stories themselves.

*I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

“A strange playground filled with gospel truths!”

Lily and her friend the Lemur want to do “something interesting. But also something safe.” That’s when they meet the Lamb King. This fun and unlikely trio embark on twelve adventures that ultimately point to Christ. Each chapter is inspired by something Jesus said or did. These whimsical tales shine a light on gospel truths in a way that is understandable for the whole family. Adults will enjoy the simplification (without the loss of its meaning) on hard truths like death, anxiety, forgiveness, regret, pride, and selfishness to name a few. These topics are difficult for all ages to comprehend, and these stories can help. I kept thinking about Jesus’s use of parables so that His followers could understand the secrets of the Kingdom; Hartman uses these retellings to do the exact same thing.

My daughter and I adored this original and creative collection of stories filled with adorable illustrations! Included at the end of the book are the Bible stories that inspired Lily, the Lemur, and the Lamb King’s adventure in a very strange playground.

*I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

“Fun and Exciting Stories!”

I LOVE Bob Hartman's writing, because I think he is very clever in teaching some fantastic truths about God while also creating some amazing stories! He has a real gift of creating a world that we are immersed in, a bit like Narnia. This particular book is really lovely, with some stunning illustrations, and helps us to see Jesus through the character of the lamb, and the final pages of the book tell us how Bob has incorporated a story from Jesus' life into each of his own short stories, with accompanying Bible verses. This would be a great book for helping children to learn to read with some Jesus-centred stories, or for a parent to read to their child before bed. Would definitely recommend it!

“Creatively fun and rich in Gospel truths!”

THOUGHTS: Wow, this book surprised me in a very unexpected way! Not only did these twelve stories teach my girls Gospel truths through creative storytelling and engaging illustrations, but they ministered to my own adult-heart, as well.

I also appreciated how the author provided at the back of the book the Biblical stories and Scripture references that inspired each chapter, thus allowing for a more thoughtful and in-depth discussion on the themes presented in each story.

Overall, we enjoyed this one! My girls were highly engaged and eager for me to keep reading. With that said, it is quite whimsical, and so I recommend pre-reading it or reading the sample chapter on the publisher’s site to ensure it is a good fit for your family.

WHO IS IT FOR: Recommended as an independent read for children ages 7+ or as a read-aloud for ages 5+.

CONTENT TO CONSIDER: Grief/Loss of a grandparent

Thank you, @thegoodbookcompanyusa, for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Sweet Retellings”

Reading Lily, The Lemur and the Lamb King with my daughter was such a sweet experience. Bob Hartman has a gift for bringing Gospel truths to life in a way that is both engaging and meaningful for young hearts. Through Lily’s adventures and her encounters with the Lamb King, these stories gently teach lessons of faith, kindness, and humility—all wrapped in fun and beautifully written storytelling.

My daughter was drawn in by the playful characters and Keila Elm’s whimsical illustrations, which made each story feel even more alive. The way Hartman reimagines stories from the Gospel makes them feel fresh and accessible, sparking great conversations about Jesus’ love and what it means to follow Him.

This book is a perfect read-aloud for families who want to fill their home with faith-filled stories. It’s one we’ll be coming back to often, snuggled up together, letting these truths sink deep into our hearts.

“Highly recommend for families looking for a faith-filled, engaging read!”

Lily, the Lemur, and the Lamb King is an absolute gem! Bob Hartman has crafted a beautifully imaginative adventure that weaves deep biblical truths into whimsical storytelling. My seven-year-old is going to love diving into this on our upcoming 20+ hour road trip! The short, engaging chapters are perfect for young readers, and I love how the book makes complex faith concepts easy to understand through fun and memorable adventures. It’s rare to find a book that combines creativity, humor, and meaningful lessons so seamlessly. Highly recommend for families looking for a faith-filled, engaging read!

“Fun and faith filled!”

This is the kind of book that keeps little ones entertained while weaving in deep gospel truths. Bob Hartman has a gift for storytelling, and these short, imaginative tales bring out big lessons about Jesus in a way that sticks. Perfect for reading aloud and sparking good conversations about what it means to follow Christ.