The Boy Who Ate America

Author: Nathan Smith Jones
Illustrator: Casey Nelson
Genre: Children

This illustrated children's picture book told in perfect rhyme teaches children and adults that acquiring things won't bring us lasting peace and happiness. Rather, the only way to be truly fulfilled is to feed our souls by feasting upon "the Word."

---

Reviewer: Jane Mouttet

Sometimes Biblical concepts are difficult for children to understand. Nathan Smith Jones has taken the Biblical admonition that “Man cannot live by bread alone” and written a text that may help children understand.

The Boy Who Ate America starts with a child who never has enough to eat, something that some children may feel they can relate to. The boy eats everything in sight, to the point of eating the entire nation (although I don’t think every state is mentioned by name). Until his mother realizes that he has a hunger that cannot be fed with food, rather it is a hunger of the soul. Nathan Smith Jones shows an understanding for the behavior patterns of young children as well as what they may like.

Casey Nelson has created colorful illustrations which go beyond the text and show the ridiculousness of the text.

I could see this book finding its way into Sunday School or Bible lessons for preschoolers or younger elementary-aged students. I would not have a problem placing The Boy Who Ate America in a K-12 Christian school library.


I received a complimentary copy of The Boy Who Ate America, from the author, through Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest review.   

---

---

Reviewer: Linda Klager

The cover of the book showed a little boy eating the United States.  I thought the cover was really appropriate for what happened in the story.

In the Holy Bible Jesus spoke to the people in parables. This book is a modern parable.  

The boy told his Mother that he was so hungry.  His Mother told him that he had eaten lunch not long ago.  Then the boy went into the kitchen and started eating everything in the refrigerator. Soon he was eating and eating and eating.  He even ate all of the United States and was still hungry.

The parable was explained by his Mother.  She said that what the boy really needed was to feed his soul.  She quoted Scripture that "Man shall not live by bread alone." When the little boy understood that he needed Jesus in his life, all of the things that he had eaten left his body. The little boy was seeking to fill his spiritual needs by reading the Bible.

The graphics and rhyme of this book was excellent. The book was written in the style of Dr. Seuss.  Every child in America or the world would have so much fun reading this book.  I pray that all children and even adults will be filled by the words in the Holy Bible.

---

---

Reviewer: Patricia Ann Timbrook

In this latest children’s picture book for the Christian market from Parables for Kids, the story begins with a boy (no name in the opening), who is hungry, so hungry that one day he begins to consume whatever is in front of him, and behind him, or ahead of him–well, I know that you see what it is. So, Tally-Ho!

Rhyming sentences walk, circle, or rest on almost all of the 32 pages, while some of the words have been inflated for accent and action. The absurdity of the theme begins innocently, with scene one at home with the boy complaining to Mom that he is hungry. She encourages him to eat something, which he does. And does again. The following scenes takes the reader to the street outside, then on to the town, then to big and bigger cities, and last, to the state of Kansas, where the story abruptly stops. The author smartly weaves into the parable something about hunger that is far more important than “eating America”.

With slightly whimsical illustrations, and a story that balloons into a curiously imagined and impossible situation, author Nathan Smith Jones and illustrator Casey Nelson weld together a scary-fun adventure, along with depicting a truth from the Word of God, that says in Matthew 4:4a, “Man shall not live by bread alone.”

---

---

Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

With an eye-catching title and beautiful illustrations, The Boy Who Ate America by Nathan Smith Jones is a book your little ones will want to hear again and again.

A rhyming book that is reminiscent of Robert Munsch fare, The Boy Who Ate America is about a boy who grew so hungry he started to gobble up everything in sight. While it is ridiculous in its premise, what makes this book fun for both child and adult is precisely that. It is a parable told in whimsical prose that will help children learn where they should turn when feeling sad and empty inside. Man shall not live by bread alone (Matthew 4:4) is the verse this book is based around.

The illustrations are engaging, fun and accurately depict the story.

The moral of the story is a good one for all ages, especially children who are so vulnerable to outside influences. I highly recommend it!

---