Cory & the Seventh Story - a book review

I’ve been writing book reviews for some time but this review is unique… I’m reviewing a Cory & the Seventh Story by Brian MacLaren and Gareth Higgins.  A disclaimer is important.  Both Brian and Gareth are acquaintances of mine and I have the deepest respect for them both.

children’s book –

            So how does a 60 something year old man review a children’s book?  I read it to my grandchildren, in this case, particularly to my 5 year old grandson who is a particularly good children’s book listener.  Kiddo enjoyed the book and loved to join in with Owl, “who, who, who will help us?”  He couldn’t distinguish between the 6 dysfunctional stories and I’m not entirely sure that he got the idea that the stories we tell ourselves shape the way we live together, but he did get the idea that we can love and welcome one another and that is indeed, a better way to live together.

            Like all good children’s stories, this one is also written to be overheard by the grownups reading  the story to their littles.  This one does that well and the story of Cory’s village presents very real concerns in a way that gets underneath some of the defenses and pre-conceptions of the adults present.  I do have to say that the six dysfunctional stories are not as distinguished from one another as they might be and had I not heard one of Brian’s talks on the 7^thstory, and/or read the companion adult book, I may have missed one or two.  Still, the alternative way of living and being is there, calling to the reader and the one being read to.  

            Kiddo’s mother was very excited about the book and has also read it to him more than once.

            All in all, the book does require a bit of maturity from the listener and even then needs some discussion… but it is a good discussion starter.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.