*Something Better Coming by Megan Saben

Something Better Coming builds anticipation for the Easter season as it builds faith in young hearts.

Something Better Coming by Megan Saben, illustrated by Ryan Flanders. Literaritea Press, 2021, 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: all ages

Waiting is hard. No one knows that better than a young child, but even grownups chafe while waiting, especially in the middle of struggle or grief. From the very first page of this book, a stricken mother’s face gazes out at us: “Her son was dead.” The withered lily in the windowsill reflects her hopelessness (but watch the lily throughout the book!). Jesus restores that hope by raising her son from the dead, and all rejoice. But,

You think that’s great? Well, just you wait—

There’s something better coming.

And so there is, as Jesus restores a little girl’s life, and calls his friend Lazarus out of the grave, and finally stares death in the face while hanging on a cross. His followers are stunned and perplexed, until their Savior and Lord walks out of the tomb. The widow’s son, Jairus’ daughter, and Lazarus were temporary defeats; with his own resurrection Christ overcame death itself and blazed a path for us to follow. It’s our turn to anticipate.

The rhyming text falls into a catchy rhythm that children will quickly learn and chant along (try saying the refrain together at every reading). The universal experience of anticipation makes the resurrection relatable to children of all ages. Likewise, the three-color illustrations capture human emotions and underscore our own response to this very good news. Something Better Coming is a must-read for the Easter season and could easily become a favorite bedtime story before nightly prayers.

You can order directly from Literaritea Press or from Westminster Kids (members get a discount from Literaritea Press!).

Overall rating: 5 (out of 5)

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

Read more about our ratings here.                 

Full Disclosure: This reviewer provided an endorsement for the book. (Because it’s good!)

Also at Redeemed Reader:

Reviews: See our starred reviews of He Is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter and Jesus Rose for Me.

Reflection: Thoughts on celebrating the resurrection at home, in the throes of a pandemic.