Little Lamb, Who Made Thee?

by Walter Wangerin Jr.

Walter Wangerin, Jr., tells warm and touching stories of parents and children, and thereby teaches all parents (and children) how to love, grow through, and cherish the special ties they have.

Genres: Christian, Religion, Family, Parenting, Nonfiction, Childrens

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Walter Wangerin Jr. is widely recognized as one of the most gifted writers writing today on the issues of faith and spirituality. Starting with the renowned Book of the Dun Cow, Wangerin's writing career has encompassed most every genre: fiction, essay, short story, children's story, meditation, and biblical exposition. His writing voice is immediately recognizable, and his fans number in the millions. The author of over forty books, Wangerin has won the National Book Award, New York Times Best Children's Book of the Year Award, and several Gold Medallions, including best-fiction awards for both The Book of God and Paul: A Novel. He lives in Valparaiso, Indiana, where he is Senior Research Professor at Valparaiso University.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't think of another author who does a better job helping me to see the unique beauty and gift of every life - no matter their age or circumstance - than W. Wangerin Jr. This book is no exception, and I'm already going back to re-read some of the stories he shares in it.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a whim at the thrift store. And what a gem it has turned out to be. One of my favorite parts was the beginning, where he shared his childhood stories. I felt I was seeing life through the eyes of a child again. His sense of humor resonated with me.

[Mary Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good for parents. It is heartwarming and pretty good sense of humor.

[Andy Littleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully surprising little book. I found it more helpful than any parenting or aging manual and FAR more interesting.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While others of Wangerin's individual short stories stand out above the rest (e.g., "Ragman"), I think this is his best collection overall. It hangs together as a cohesive body of work, with stories about childhood and parenthood, from his life as a child, a pastor to children and their parents, a parent to his children, and finally as a parent to his aging parents. If there's one story in this collection which sort of embodies the whole, it would have to be "Turn and Become Like Little Children." It is because Wangerin has been able to follow his own advice that his children's stories, and this book, are so wonderful. From the introduction: "[T]his book is important because on a deep level it isn't really about children and parents at all--in spite of its subtitle. It's about maturity--spiritual maturity--at all ages, a process that starts in childhood and should still be continuing when we enter, as the author says, that 'city brighter than the sunlight.'" The title comes from the first line of a poem by William Blake, from his Songs of Innocence.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have had this book on my shelf for some time, but it took the opportunity to hear Wangerin to get me to find this and read it. I would have been better served if I had read this while my children were small. My kids would have benefited also. However, at the time, reading about parenting was not high on my list. I was too involved in the day to day activities

I like Wangerin's style of writing. It seems apparent to me that each word is carefully chosen and each idea is thoughtfully created. The essays about his one son and Wangerin's stint as the homemaker stick in my mind, but I think many of the others will resurface as the book perks in my brain.

Although I did not find time for this book when my kids were young, I strongly recommend this to any Christian rearing children. Wangerin's wisdom would be very useful to all.

[Allison Redd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this off and on for over a year now. I finally finished and every thing I read was just a small delight, from stories about his own childhood, his children, or how to bring up children of the church in the faith. I really enjoyed this collection of essays. Though I absolutely love his fiction, I'm finding Walter's non-fiction collections to be the most moving and memorable of his writings.

[John Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, my first time to read Wangerin. He paints tender pictures of children, parents, a Down Syndrome sister-in-law, and children of elderly parents who parent their parents telling simple stories beautifully. This book helped me to see life through the eyes of others. Every chapter moved me deeply. Who should read it? parents for sure, but almost everyone who wants to be challenged to love others more fully and to grow in understanding toward our fellow man.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a wonderful reminder to cherish your moments with your children and how to let/encourage them delight in their childhood.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wangerin is incredible.

[Emily]

ew-the current edition has a much better cover :)