Lauren Ducommun

The Friend Who Forgives – Picture Book

Dan DeWitt, author of Jesus or Nothing, has written a delightful character study of Peter, a disciple of Jesus. He highlights not only Peter’s testimony, but also how Jesus forgave him.

The Friend Who Forgives begins with Peter as a fisherman and how Jesus called him to follow him. As a disciple of Jesus, Peter saw some miraculous things, and “realized that Jesus was more than a friend–he was God!”. Peter was determined not to let Jesus down, but he did. In fact, Peter did the very thing he said he would never do—deny Jesus.

But even though Jesus had died on the cross, he came back to life, and DeWitt shares how the risen Jesus sought out Peter. Peter became a “forgiven fisher of men” and “spent the rest of his life telling people about his best friend, Jesus”.

The Friend Who Forgives is a wonderfully written picture book in the Tales that Tell the Truth series. Kids of all ages will enjoy the humorous illustrations and perhaps relate to how Peter failed Jesus in his life. But the hope of the gospel is clearly present, as the books ends with the words:

“And if you trust in Jesus, he will forgive you, too.”

I received this book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.

The Friend Who Forgives
by Dan DeWitt
The Good Book Company, 2021
22 pages

The Friend Who Forgives – Board Book

The board book edition is a wonderful adaptation of the picture book, and it highlights the story of how Peter denied Jesus three times the night before his crucifixion. Three times he told people, “No, I don’t know Jesus.”

“But Peter didn’t stay sad, because Jesus didn’t stay dead!” While Jesus had died, the story ends with the risen Jesus making breakfast for the disciples. It was then that Jesus forgave Peter and was known as “the Friend who forgives”.

This was a really enjoyable board book to read–especially as a parent. It was not dull, repetitive, or simplified beyond the point of retaining any meaning. Dan Dewitt was able to shrink his longer picture book into a lovely little board book, which would be a great board book to read around Easter!

The Friend Who Forgives
by Dan DeWitt
The Good Book Company, 2021
16 pages