*Little Pilgrim’s Progress

The greatest allegory of the Christian life, retold for younger children, is significantly improved with masterful illustrations.

Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen Taylor, Illustrated by Joe Sutphin. Moody Publishers, 2021, 299 pages plus epilogue illustrations.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10

Recommended for: ages 4-10

An October Tradition

Every October since my eldest was about five I have read aloud a version of Pilgrim’s Progress in honor of Reformation Day on October 31. Usually it’s Dangerous Journey, but once we read an unabridged version with notes that enhanced our appreciation of a story that had become quite familiar over the years. Another year we read a hard-to-find version illustrated by Robert Lawson just for variety’s sake, but we inevitably return to Dangerous Journey.

Until now I have always quietly avoided one particular version of Pilgrim’s Progress Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen Taylor. I never saw a version with illustrations I loved, and the text never appealed to me. It was on numerous booklists, but I just couldn’t get excited about it.

This year, I know which version of Pilgrim’s Progress I’ll be reading to my boys, and I’m excited about it. I can assure you that they’ll be crowding around so they don’t miss the pictures, and I will probably get choked up. Out of all the books I have seen so far this year, the quality of this one surpasses them all.

A new version of Little Pilgrim’s Progress

Let me try to describe it to you: first the tactile impression. No deckle edges, but sturdy, quality paper. The font suggests the text of an older book, but there is plenty of white space on the page so it is easy to read. The first letter of each chapter is illuminated with an animal in a deep shade of red, which happens to be the only color in the book. (I’d love to ask Mr. Sutphin if there is a significance to the animals he chose for each letter.)

Moving on to the illustrations. There is a visual “frame story” to both Christian’s story and Christiana’s, and when I came to the last pages, I had to turn back to the beginning to make the connections. Christian is portrayed as a happy rabbit child who lives with his mother and plays with his friends in a charming, country-style village. But one day his mother dies, and Christian is left alone. When the King invites him to go to the Celestial City, he bravely makes the journey, hoping he will find her waiting for him. Christiana’s story follows Christian’s, so the book is comprehensive.

The illustrations are grayscale, full of expression and drama. The woodland characters are well-suited to their roles, adding fresh meaning to the story.

How is the text affected by children being portrayed by animals? The adaptation is subtle, but comfortable. When “clothes” are mentioned, “fur” is added. Christian is called a “foolish boy” by his friends, rather than a “foolish rabbit,” and told that by Evangelist that “The King loves little children,” but that is appropriate for a story where animals are anthropomorphized.

It is worth making room on your bookshelf for multiple copies of Pilgrim’s Progress because different versions both build and deepen your understanding of the Truth in the Story. I highly recommend a trio:

• Dangerous Journey because it is an excellent overview of the whole story that doesn’t simplify Bunyan’s language. (Caution: if you have sensitive children, preview this one. Some of the illustrations can be frightening. If you have lively boys, they’ll love it.)
• Little Pilgrim’s Progress is a more comprehensive version, but still childlike (in a good way).
• The unabridged Pilgrim’s Progress from Christian Focus is a version that nicely follows the other two, once you know the story well. It’s good to rotate them as you and your children grow in your walk with the Lord.

Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Taylor and Sutphin is altogether an marvelous book. Even if you have read it before, don’t miss this one. You will not be disappointed.

Overall Rating: 5

• Worldview/moral value: 5
• Artistic/literary value: 5

Read more about our ratings here.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Reflection: Betsy shares the background of this famous book in Pilgrim’s Progress: A short history
• Reviews: A movie adaptation was released in 2019. Megan reviewed it here. (Isn’t it fun to compare the various interpretations?!)
• Resource: Want to study church history in October? Here’s a collection of resources.
• Resource: We have a Pilgrim’s Progress Guide in our shop full of great material to help you and your children get even more delight out of one of our favorite Stories. Take a look!

If you prefer ordering directly from the publisher, you may do so here. (It’s actually cheaper than on Amazon, though shipping is extra. Of course, you could add an extra book to your order and get free shipping! And that’s easy to do, right? We like Amanda Eastep’s Tree Street Kids books and the Read-Aloud Bible Stories by Ella K. Lindvall.)

We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission. Read more here.