‘The Boy Who Changed the World’ by Andy Andrews; Illustrations by Philip Hurst – Book Review

My husband, Fred, is a shepherd in the children’s ministry at our church; he shepherds first graders. He often finds that Christian messages are reinforced in his life as well as in the life of the children. I had a similar experience while reading the first children’s book from Andy Andrews, ‘The Boy Who Changed the World.’

Here is the synopsis of this lovely book:

The Boy Who Changed the World teaches children how their actions can set off a spark that, in turn, influences the lives of others. As Andrews explains, “Every choice you make, good or bad, can make a difference.”

Who would dream that a boy playing in Iowa cornfields would save the lives of more than two billion people? This is the incredible story of Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, a simple boy with a desire to feed the hungry – but Borlaug couldn’t have accomplished this without the help of Vice President Henry Wallace, who was influenced by inventor George Washington Carver, who in turn was rescued by farmer Moses Carver.

This delightful children’s book tells the stories of how each life is interwoven by decisions – both big and small – of others. The decisions you make today truly can change the world. As George Washington Carver told young Henry Wallace, “Remember…God made you to make a difference. And I believe you will.”

Based on Andrews’ popular book, The Butterfly Effect, his beautifully illustrated children’s story culminates with a flourish of butterflies and a charge to children that they, too, can change the world.

Here is the biography for the author, Andy Andrews:

Hailed by a New York Times reporter as “someone who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America,” Andy Andrews is a best-selling novelist and in-demand corporate speaker for the world’s largest organizations. He has spoken at the request of four United States presidents and at military bases worldwide. Andy is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Noticer and The Traveler’s Gift, as well as The Lost Choice and The Heart Mender. He lives in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his wife, Polly, and their two sons.

And here is the biography of the illustrator, Philip Hurst:

After obtaining a degree in illustration from Kingston University, Philip Hurst has worked for clients such as Faber and Faber, Reed Publishing, Egmont, and Dalmatian Press. He and his wife and three boys live on the Romney Marsh in Kent, England.

Here is the book trailer with Andy Andrews describing his book; this trailer includes some of the beautiful illustrations from Philip Hurst:

I love how Andy shares this story; he is a master storyteller, after all!:

I want to tell you about the boy who changed the world. His name was Henry Wallace. Henry’s father was a professor, and one of his students was a young man named George.

Henry loved to go with George on expeditions in the countryside. George knew more about plants than anyone Henry had ever known.

And here is the story of the man who would one day raise one of the best botanists the world has ever seen, George Washington Carver:

I want to tell you a story about the boy who changed the world. His name was Moses Carver. He lived on a farm with his mom and dad way up North.

Moses pulled nails out of some old barn wood while his pet rooster Buzz watched.

“Moses!” his mother called as she walked toward him in the field. “What are you doing?”

“Well, I figured if I got these nails out of this wood, we could reuse it for something like patching the chicken coop or building a shed.”

“Thank you, Moses. That’s a wonderful idea. I’m sure Buzz will appreciate it come winter,” she said with a smile.

“He hasn’t helped with a single nail!” Moses chuckled.

“You know, dear, every choice you make, good or bad, can make a difference. I’m proud of you for making a good choice today.”

And here is the culmination:

It’s odd, isn’t it? Every time something happens, something else happens. That’s called the Butterfly Effect.

When a butterfly flaps its wings, it moves tiny pieces of air… that move other pieces…that move other pieces of air. In fact, on the other side of the world, they might be feeling a big whoosh of wind – all because a butterfly flapped its wings here just a moment ago.

That means every little thing YOU do matters: what you did yesterday, what you do today, and what you do tomorrow. God made your life so important that every move you make, every action you take, matters… and not only for you or the people around you. Everything you do matter for everyone and for all time!

When you think about it like that…WOW!

That means YOU can be the kid who changes the world!

This is a very inspiring story, with absolutely beautiful illustrations! I plan to pass this book along to the children’s ministry at our church. I highly recommend it to any parent who wants to teach some wonderful life lessons to their children.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Tommy Nelson, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, and provided by Book Sneeze, its blogger review program, for review purposes.