*The Golden Plate by Bernadette Watts

The Golden Plate is a picture book about Isobel, who struggles to hide her sin, and the relief of confession in restoring her friendship with Elisabeth.

*The Golden Plate written and illustrated by Bernadette Watts. NorthSouth, 2014. 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture books, Ages 4-8
Recommended For: Ages 4-8

When Isobel sees a golden plate in her friend Elisabeth’s beautiful doll house, she slips it in her pocket hoping to improve her own pitiful doll house at home. But the stolen plate looks ugly in the wrong place, and Isobel is haunted by yellow circles everywhere. Finally she unburdens her soul to her mother, who encourages her to confess and return the stolen plate to her friend. Reconciliation is sweet and all is restored.

There is plenty of detail for children to pore over, especially the woeful reactions of the toys who bear witness to what Isobel has done. There is no specific reference to them in the text, but they are a vivid reminder that our “secret” sins are not unseen.

This beautifully illustrated story demonstrates a biblical worldview, attractively packaged in a narrative that highlights the struggle of a guilty conscience. Its biggest limitation is that the audience is mostly limited to girls, but the clear sense of right and wrong rings true to a general audience as well. Parents might consider discussing how Isobel’s relief compares to Achan in Joshua 7 and how he only confessed when he knew he could no longer hide. Can we ever sin and get away with it? How are our consciences a gift from God? The discussion doesn’t have to be heavy…the book is poignant enough.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5  
Worldview Rating: 5 out of 5
Artistic Rating: 5 out of 5

Categories: starred review, picture books, character values

This book was received for free from the publisher in return for a fair review.

Remember, unless a book is starred, a review is not necessarily a recommendation. Read more about our ratings here.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: Also by Bernadette Watts: Varenka is a lovely picture book about a widow whose fears and struggles with faith are mingled with loving her neighbor and trusting the God who does not disappoint.
• Resource: Truth and Story, the post about how Truth is different than truth and Story than story.
• Book Review: The Carver and the Queen is a literary fairy tale for teens that is also set in Russia.

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