About the Book:
Book: Logan vs. the Hateful Strawberries : A Towers of Light Early Reader (Logan’s Search for the Fruits of the Spirit Book One)
Author: Allen Brokken
Genre: Christian Fantasy
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Logan was important…once! He helped slay a Dragon. Now all his days are chores, chores and more chores. Will nothing relieve the drudgery?
But when he happens upon a hidden grove of strawberries with mysterious powers, his whole perspective changes and he wonders if he’s found the mysterious fruit of self-control? Will Logan and his new pet raccoon Rascal solve the mystery before Logan’s Pa turns the rodent into a new hat?
My Thoughts:
I read this book aloud to the children who are at home during the day, ranging in age from 15 down to 5. The older ones thought it was pretty lame, but when I asked my 5-year-old what she thought about it, she said she liked it. I asked her if she understood it, and she (being a very articulate little girl) was able to explain the allegory to me very well. Based on the feedback I have gotten from my children, I would recommend this book as an early introduction to spiritual warfare and allegory, for 6-8-year-olds. It’s gentle enough for most children in that range; there is some tension, but not much danger. Logan disobeys his parents—and later repents and makes things right as far as he can. As with this author’s other books, it is not great literature, and could do with better proofreading, but it has a sound message and appeals to the age range it is written for.
I received a review copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it. Links may be affiliate links, which will benefit Esther’s website if purchases are made through them.
About the Author:
Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off to college he’s telling stories and sharing clean humor on social media and through his blog.
More from Allen:
As a writer, I tend to lean toward what I know for inspiration. Actual life events or people I know shape what I write about. As a ministry volunteer in church for over 15 years, I regularly saw the challenges children with ADHD or other spectrum disorders had with the church. Volunteers are ill-equipped to understand their unique needs, and many of the young boys I worked with ended up having terrible experiences at church because they just couldn’t fit in.
So when I set out to write an early chapter book for boys I wanted to find a way to shine the light of God’s truth right where they lived. Having been diagnosed with A.D.D., I understand these challenges and the general mentality. On the one hand, this can have detrimental effects when being forced to sit in a chair with nothing to do but listen; on the other hand, it can supercharge tasks that require intense focus.
I also had inspiration from the existing Towers of Light series I wrote for a middle grade audience and pre-existing characters that children love. So I worked with the real-life Logan to craft this story that exemplifies the spiritual gift of love as the antidote to the poison of the hateful strawberries. Plus, the antics of Rascal the Raccoon add just the right touch of comedy and action to keep young children turning the pages.
To purchase your copy, click here.
To visit more of the blog stops on this tour, click here.
To enter a fun giveaway, click here.
My grandkids will like it.
Sounds like a fabulous children’s book
It looks like the cutest book!
Thos looks like an awesome read. Thanks for sharing.