The Radical Book for Kids Review

If you’ve ever wished for a single resource that could spark your children’s curiosity, ground them in biblical truth, and keep them genuinely entertained, put The Radical Book for Kids: Exploring the Roots and Shoots of Faith at the top of your reading list. Written by Champ Thornton and vividly illustrated by Scot McDonald, this award-winning treasury is part devotional, part history primer, part “how-to” manual—and 100 percent fun. Below, you’ll find everything busy parents need to know about why this title deserves a spot on your coffee table or homeschool shelf.

What Makes It “Radical,” Anyway?

Thornton borrows the word radical from its Latin root radix, meaning “root.” His goal is twofold:

• Dig down to the roots of Christianity—its people, places, and doctrines.

• Show kids how faith sends out shoots that affect every area of life today.

The result is a book that moves effortlessly from first-century catacombs to twenty-first-century playgrounds, teaching kids that the gospel is both ancient and alive.

A Peek Inside the Pages

The Radical Book for Kids is arranged in 67 short, standalone chapters (3-6 pages each). Think of them as bite-sized “mini books,” perfect for drive-time reading or bedtime devotions.

• Bible Basics: timelines, maps, how we got the canon, why the resurrection matters

• Church History & Heroes: Augustine, Corrie ten Boom, Hudson Taylor, Perpetua

• Apologetics Made Simple: “Did the resurrection really happen?” “What about other religions?”

• Life Skills & Fun Stuff: how to make Hebrew harps, tie medieval knots, draw Celtic designs

• Spiritual Habits: journaling ideas, memorizing Scripture, praying through the Psalms

• Hard Questions: suffering, doubt, friendship drama, media choices, gender and identity (all handled with age-appropriate candor)

Each chapter ends with a hands-on activity or reflection question, ensuring kids don’t just learn—they live what they read.

Designed for the Eyes (and Short Attention Spans)

Scot McDonald’s comic-style illustrations, call-out boxes, and vibrant color palette turn every spread into an invitation. There’s no wall of text here; visual cues guide reluctant readers while leaving room for deeper dives by older siblings.

Age Range & Reading Level

Publishers list the target audience as 8–14, but families with multiple ages report that even high-schoolers linger over the infographics, and younger listeners enjoy the stories when read aloud. A built-in glossary and pronunciation helps independent readers tackle unfamiliar terms.

Why Families Are Raving

• Gospel-Centered Without Being Preachy: Theology is woven into stories, experiments, and “try this at home” challenges.

• Flexibility: Read straight through, pick a theme, or let your child flip to whatever catches their eye.

• Conversation Goldmine: Each chapter provides natural on-ramps for meaningful talks about God, culture, and character.

• Screen-Free Engagement: Crafts, codes, and outdoor activities pull kids away from devices and into real-world discovery.

Five Simple Ways to Use the Book at Home

1. Dinner-Table Dispatches: Let a different child choose one chapter before the meal and give the family a two-minute “news brief.”

2. Saturday Skills Lab: Pick one hands-on section each weekend—build a slingshot like David used or bake unleavened bread together.

3. Road-Trip Radio: Play the free audiobook sample while driving; pause for trivia questions.

4. Family Devotion Series: Tackle one chapter nightly for a semester—roughly 15 minutes start to finish.

5. Birthday or Baptism Gift: Pair it with journal supplies or a small tool kit for doing the projects.

Conversation Starters You’ll Find Inside

• “How is the Trinity like water, ice, and steam—and how is it not?”

• “Why did medieval Christians wash their hands before prayer?”

• “What would you say if a classmate calls the Bible a myth?”

• “If you could interview any saint from history, who would it be and why?”

Parent-to-Parent Pro Tips

• Keep Supplies Handy: A shoebox stocked with string, index cards, modeling clay, and colored pencils will cover 90 percent of the activities.

• Rotate the Reader: Empower children to read aloud; it boosts confidence and listening skills.

• Don’t Skip the Silly: Some chapters feel purely playful (secret codes, weird animals in the Bible). They’re intentional trust-builders that soften hearts for weightier topics later.

Where to Find It

The Radical Book for Kids is available in hardback, e-book, and audiobook formats through major retailers. Churches can order bulk packs directly from New Growth Press for class or club use.

The Takeaway

In an age of fragmented attention and shallow content, The Radical Book for Kids offers families a rare combo: depth that satisfies parents and delight that hooks kids. Whether you’re looking to jump-start family devotions, supplement a Bible curriculum, or just find a wholesome rainy-day read, Champ Thornton’s creative compendium may become the most dog-eared volume in your home library.

Ready to set your kids on a faith-filled adventure? Crack open The Radical Book for Kids, and watch those roots grow—and the shoots reach farther than you ever imagined.