Jacob’s Gift

Lucado, Max. Jacob’s Gift. Illustrated by Robert Hunt. Nashville, TN: Tommy Nelson,  1998. 

Jacob’s Gift by Max Lucado

If I had to pick, historical fiction is probably my favorite genre. Within historical fiction is Biblical fiction which I believe helps readers better understand what life was like during Bible times. Jacob’s Gift is picture book of Biblical fiction that can help children understand life at the time Christ was born.

Jacob is a boy who lives in Bethlehem. He loves doing carpentry work and is very focused on his work. Rabbi Simeon tells Jacob and the other boys in the workshop that his nephew Joseph is coming from Nazareth and will help choose one of boys to help build the new synagogue. The boys are to each build a special project for Joseph to judge. The night before the judging something happens and Jacob has to make a choice. Will he choose to give his project to a baby or save it for the competition?

Max Lucado is a master writer, whether he is writing for children or adults. Jacob’s Gift makes the reader think – which is more important? While the plot is somewhat predictable if you know the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus, it is a great story told from a viewpoint I haven’t read before. The illustrations by Robert Hunt appear to portray the clothing and setting at the time of Christ’s birth.

I would recommend adding Jacob’s Gift to your Christmas collection. The book is available from Amazon. Thank you for using my affiliate link which helps support this children’s literature blog.