GOD OF THE FAIRY TALE

In a very engaging manner, Ware, staff writer for Focus on the Family and author of several children's books, looks at fairy tales from a Christian perspective ("with Christ-colored glasses"). He illustrates how these wonderful old stories contain rich illustrations of many major themes of Christian theology. In "Cinderella," he shows us the classic reversal of positions: "the last shall be first and the first last." From "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," we learn the power of the spoken word. Each chapter begins with a short retelling of part of the story, then moves into a discussion of the theme found therein. His interpretations are most convincing when they cover themes repeated in a multitude of tales. In his discussion of "Hansel and Gretel," for example, he notes that most fairy talestake the presence and power of evil very seriously. In an illuminating look at "The Little Match Girl," Ware paints a picture of Jesus' challenging teaching regarding poverty. Readers will probably not agree with all of his assertions—e.g., seeing Mary Poppins as an illustration of God's inscrutability. However, Christian readers who enjoy the world of fantasy and imagination will find this book both a wonderful introduction to many stories they may not have read yet and an engaging lesson in finding God in some unlikely places. (Oct.)