As an author and parent, Anna Townsend wanted to give children a gripping, relatable story showing that God didn’t stop speaking after the Bible. Her new book God’s Great Escape Plan tells the remarkable true story of a three-year-old boy’s escape from East Germany — and invites young readers to discover that they, too, are part of God’s unfolding story.
I’m an author and a parent, and I know that as parents, we are used to telling our children biblical stories and how they point to God. That history may be hard for our children to relate to, though; kids often don’t know much about sheep, wine or how to build an ark. I have certainly found myself wishing for more recent historical stories to share with them that they can relate to. I want them to understand that God not only spoke to people in the Bible, but has guided his followers throughout history. Theologically, this matters: children like to see evidence, and as a result, they will know that God wants to speak to them.
Children are part of His-story
One of my favourite Christian days is All Saints (or All Hallows) Day, when traditionally the church remembers Christians who have died. I have had the privilege of meeting some astounding missionaries in Asia whose influences have changed my life. I’ve also read numerous biographies of Christians whose stories have inspired me, including Rees Howells, Elizabeth Fry and Mother Teresa. These people and their stories encourage me to persevere in prayer when times get tough, speak up for the vulnerable, and seek justice. I try to apply lessons I have learned from them to my own life and the decisions I make. On All Saints’ Day, I thank God for the opportunity to study their lives.
Each time we share stories of how God has acted in the past, we encourage our children that they too are part of the greatest story ever told.
Children also enjoy and can be inspired by learning about the brave deeds of Christians who have gone before them. Of course, children don’t always find it easy to see the links between a story and how it might apply to them. That’s where, as parents and teachers, we can ask reflective questions to help them apply what the story tells them.
Any book about historical Christian figures also fits into God’s great narrative. He has a plan to redeem humankind and invites us to be His hands and feet on earth. Each time we share stories of how God has acted in the past, we encourage our children that they too are part of the greatest story ever told. Wonderfully, they are invited to play a part in it, and this is the privilege of being a Christian: we are part of His-story.
God’s Great Escape Plan
Consequently, I am so pleased to have written God’s Great Escape Plan (Malcolm Down Publishing), a true story of how a three-year-old boy named Frieder escaped with his family from East Germany in the 1950s. Throughout the story, God speaks to his parents repeatedly as they make the difficult decision about whether to leave. As the author of this book, I loved hearing directly from Frieder about what happened to his family. It was a huge privilege to speak with him; he lives in Wales now and has spent his life as a church minister.
I would love for children to see clearly how God spoke and rescued people in recent, relatable history.
To help children think about the story, the book includes notes and reflective questions at the back to prompt them to think about how God spoke to Frieder and wants to speak to them, too. A colour-coded star pattern helps young readers find the moments in Frieder’s story when God intervened.
I would love for children to see clearly how God spoke and rescued people in recent, relatable history. In God’s Great Escape Plan, there are cars, trains and plenty of adventure! My hope is that they come back to this book again and again as they face difficult decisions and seek God’s guidance. As they grow up, their choices will become tougher, and by using this book to learn how to hear God’s voice when they are young, I pray they will continue to recognise his promptings as they grow.
