Eric’s Greatest Race is a lively graphic novel-style biography of a man who followed Christ to the Olympics and to China.
*Eric’s Greatest Race by Tim Challies, art by Paul Mignard. Harvest Kids, 2025. 128 pages.
- Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 8-12
- Recommended For: Ages 8-12
I grew up watching (and loving!) Chariots of Fire. That was my first introduction to Eric Liddell, as it has been for many. But the movie only tells a small portion of Eric’s story. It’s also a little slow for many contemporary kids—although most enjoy it when they sit down to actually watch it.
Enter Eric’s Greatest Race, a lively and well-illustrated graphic novel biography of Eric Liddell. The story opens with a young Chinese boy asking Uncle Eric to tell him about the time he was in the Olympics. Uncle Eric obliges and begins at the beginning: when he was born. Eric Liddell’s parents were missionaries in China, and he was born there (as were his siblings). Due to political events, his family moved around some, and they eventually returned to Scotland for a time. It’s hard to imagine a young boy saying goodbye to his parents as they returned to China, leaving him and his brother in Scotland… for years.
Eric was an amazing runner, but he was also a missionary and passionate about preaching Christ. His life was such an interesting one as he sought to follow where the Lord led him, whether to France for the Olympics or to China and eventually prison (an internment camp).
Erick’s Greatest Race is a fun introduction to Eric Liddell’s story, and it will capture young imaginations as they learn of his life. A couple of times in the book, a page or spread seems a little out of place chronologically (such as the two-page spread about the rise of Communism), but most readers will have no trouble following the storyline. Maps and other helpful pieces of information combine with illustrations of people and places to provide a great visual experience. Readers will need to read the pictures as well as the words!
Bottom Line: Eric’s Greatest Race is a fun and inspirational read for kids. Be sure to watch Chariots of Fire when you finish!
*indicates a starred review (the best of the best in its field)
Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader
- Review: God With Us: Stories on the Road to Emmaus is another graphic novel young readers will enjoy.
- Review: Kingstone Comics has some interesting graphic-novel style church history resources, too!
- Review: And one of our all-time favorite graphic novel biographies is The Faithful Spy about Bonhoeffer.
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.
Buy Eric’s Greatest Race on amazon.
Even better: buy it from Westminster Books (it’s currently on sale!).
Stay Up to Date!
Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.
Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Support our writers and help keep Redeemed Reader ad-free by joining the Redeemed Reader Fellowship.
Stay Up to Date!
Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.
Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
We'd love to hear from you!
Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!
Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.