I love finding picture books that express something universal from a child-accessible perspective. Sonia and the Biggest Block Tower Ever by Kathryn Butler, illustrated by Samara Hardy, tells a relatable story filled with imagination. What’s more, it communicates a truth we all need to hear, whether we’re three or sixty-three.
The Story of Sonia and the Biggest Block Tower Ever
When Sonia looks around her preschool classroom, it seems like all her friends are doing amazing things. When she hears her teacher praise their various activities, she wonders what she could do that might be considered wonderful. She starts to build a block tower, but her imagination quickly takes over. She envisions building the tower taller and taller until it breaks through the roof and even reaches to space. At first, she delights in the praise and attention her building brings. However, the taller she strives to make her tower, the further away she is from the very people she wanted attention from in the first place.
Eventually, Sonia learns she doesn’t have to or make anything in order to be special. She’s special because God loves her.
But the story doesn’t end there. Once Sonia is secure in her own identity, she’s able to encourage each of her friends without feeling like their “special thing” makes her value any less. In fact, it’s clear to the reader that Sonia has her own special gifts: imagination and encouragement.
Recommendation
This is a great book for Christian families with young children! It will kids them understand that their worth comes from their Creator and not anything they make or do. I find this especially valuable for younger siblings, who often compare themselves to their older brothers and sisters.
Sonia and the Biggest Block Tower Ever reminded me both of The Rabbit Listened and the Frog and Toad story The Dream. But perhaps more than that, it brought up images of the Tower of Babel. In a similar way, Sonia tries to make a name for herself by building the tallest tower ever. But thankfully, though she doesn’t succeed in her goal, this story has a truly happy ending.
*I received a complementary, no-obligation copy of this book from Crossway. All opinions are my own.
