When the White Dove Descended

by Alice W. Johnson, Allison H. Warner

The Believe...and You're There series is comprised of magical time-travel adventure books, each in a fast-paced, short-chapter format that targets young readers from 7 to 13. Transported through their grandmother's enchanted paintings, three contemporary children find themselves as witnesses to many of the central events of the scriptures. Against this background, scripture stories that may have been hard to understand and appreciate now sparkle with energy and meaning. In When the White Dove Descended, three siblings, Katie, Matthew, and Peter, visit their grandmother's art cottage, where they are introduced to her new painting of John the Baptist at the Jordan River. As Grandma reads the biblical account, the children discover movement in the painting, and upon touching it, find themselves transported to ancient Palestine and the banks of the river. How much of all this adventure does Grandma know?

Genres: Church, Lds Fiction, Childrens, Religion

84 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2007

Reviews

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this whole series for Christmas and I am finally reading it. This was a short book about baptizum. It is also about a man named Seth who has a change of heart while listening to John the Baptist speak. He then after got baptized.
I like this book and will read the next one.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little like magic tree house, but for LDS kids. I just finished reading it to Brian and he surprised me by wanting to begin the next one right away.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun read for kids, great for introducing them to Bible events and ideas. It is very reminiscent of Magic Treehouse and is very much geared toward younger kids.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in a series of scriptural fiction, written for young LDS children. The introductory pages have endorsements written by well-known LDS people, such as Stephen R. Covey and his wife, Truman Madsen and his wife, Mack Wilberg and his wife, Stephen and Janet Robinson, and a few children of the age for whom the book is written. The idea of the book, along with the endorsements, built up my hopes, but I was a bit disappointed. The interactions of the two brothers and their sister were not really believable to me because they were so kind and polite to each other. Not that they should be mean, mind you, but it was kind of like the old Bobbsey Twins series--cute stories but not realistic.

But, even though it seems pretty contrived to me (and how could it not be, given the subject matter?!), it does serve the purpose of introducing children to the scripture stories. This particular story was centered around the youngest brother, Peter, who would be turning eight and getting baptized soon. When the three siblings spend a weekend at their grandmother's home, she reads to them from the scriptures the story of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus. The children become so caught up in the story that they go back in time and witness John preaching to the people and baptizing Jesus. A family from that time period befriends them and shares their dinner, campfire, and beds with them, and when their adventures are over the children are magically returned back to their grandmother's cottage.

I think this is a good read for LDS children aged 7 to 9 or 10 who are developing their reading abilities and are interested in chapter books. Perhaps it could be compared to the Tennis Shoes series, only for a younger audience. I do recommend it, and if my granddaughter shows an interest, I may send her some more in the series.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are books are for younger readers (my daughter was 6 when she read them). There are four books so far in this series (the 4th is available for Christmas 2009). I really enjoyed these books. The easy way of telling stories from an outsider perspective of kids themselves traveling to the time of Christ. My daughter has really enjoyed them and I enjoyed reading them as well. Very quick reads (I read each book in a couple of hours - once I got the time to read them.) Enjoyed each book. Can't wait to read the fourth book.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spencer and I read this together and he really enjoyed it: 3.5 to 4 stars. The book tells the story of 3 children who visit their grandmother's art cottage and see a painting of John the Baptist. As their grandmother reads them the scripture story, they discover the painting is moving and they go into the painting to live and see the actual event take place. It has a very simple plot with light character development with a great message; it is less than a hundred pages and is in a series of books. We'll continue reading them.

[Christin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this to the boys, they got it for Christmas from Grandma, so far they are liking it.

This book(s) was fun and the boys really liked it. I liked it because it was teaching bible stories and values while it was entertaining my boys :-) The idea is that 3 siblings get taken back to the times of Jesus and get to witness different bible "stories". The boys liked it and it was fun. (Hint hint grandma :-)

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom gave this to Caden a year or two ago. We have been reading it for school, and finally gave up about half way through. I think it would be a great book for older kids that really enjoy reading, but Caden is too young. The vocabulary was too advanced, and the story line was too mature for him. This will have to wait a few more years, then we'll try it again.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

My seven-year-old brought this to me and asked me to read this book because she thought I'd like it. Who on earth can say no something like that?

I read it, and my daughter was right.

As a simple story that teaches moral and religious truths in a way that is pleasantly enjoyable and age appropriate, it's worth a read to fathers who care what their seven-year-olds read.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

II thought it was cool when they went into the picture.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids (6 & 9) loved the adventures of three siblings who suddenly find themselves thrown in the past and witnessing for themselves the stories of Christ. 4 Books in all and each one has a special message.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are like the Magic Tree House books, but based on scripture. I've only read the first one, but it was really good! H loved it. She's already read it twice. These will definitely be classics in our home!

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a children's book - probably appropriate for ages 7-10. It imagines what life may have been like when John the Baptist baptized Jesus. It was good but a little simple for a traveling through time piece. I think a kid would like it, though.

[Ebear · Rating 5 out of 5]

It helps kids learn about Jesus.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

i just found our next family read-aloud books.

[Shera · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter received this as a gift. We LOVED it! Now she wants the rest of them!!!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like when they go into the pictures and end up in different places. I really like this one because it is when Jesus got baptized.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It made me think more about what baptism means. This would be a good book to read with children who are about to get baptized.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son asked me to read this after he did. It's a quick, cute book about three kids that go to the time of John the Baptist preaching and they get to see Jesus baptized.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was super cute and very enjoyable. It was a great respite from the world for just a little while

[Selina Bloomfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my boys and they both enjoyed it. We plan on reading the rest of the books in the series.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, but an enjoyable and spiritual story to read out loud. My 9-year-old said she really loved it and felt the spirit!