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Do Great Things For God
Mariah Fearing: The Girl Who Dreamed of Distant Lands
Inspiring children's biography of Mariah a missionary who shared Christ’s love with children in Africa and protected them from slavery.
Once freed from slavery on an Alabama plantation, Mariah Fearing chose to go back to Africa to show children Jesus’ compassion and protect them from being sold into slavery like she was. She even helped translate the Bible so that the children could read it in their own language.
Her patience and grit in overcoming incredible obstacles to heed God’s call make her a great role model for young children. They will be encouraged by her faith and God’s faithfulness, and inspired to do great things for God too.
This beautiful hardback book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos. It makes a beautiful gift for children aged 4-7.
Once freed from slavery on an Alabama plantation, Mariah Fearing chose to go back to Africa to show children Jesus’ compassion and protect them from being sold into slavery like she was. She even helped translate the Bible so that the children could read it in their own language.
Her patience and grit in overcoming incredible obstacles to heed God’s call make her a great role model for young children. They will be encouraged by her faith and God’s faithfulness, and inspired to do great things for God too.
This beautiful hardback book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos. It makes a beautiful gift for children aged 4-7.
18 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2023
51 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Ellis
7 books4 followersK.A. Ellis is a theological ethicist, author, researcher, and professor whose life has taken her from Broadway stages to the frontlines of the global persecuted church.
Ellis brings the instincts of both worlds to everything she writes. A classically trained actress (Yale School of Drama) with television and national touring theatre credits, Ellis spent years honing the craft of telling true stories before turning her full attention to theology and research. She holds graduate degrees from Yale University, Westminster Theological Seminary, and an PhD from the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.
From 2019 to 2026, Ellis served as founding Director of the Edmiston Center for Christian Endurance Studies, a global research initiative focused on Christians who suffer for their faith. Her particular focus has been Soviet and post-Soviet societies — places where the church was pressed underground and where the practice of holding fast became a matter of life and death. She trains leaders, builds networks, and works to amplify indigenous voices in the world’s most restricted regions.
She is married to theologian and author Dr. Carl F. Ellis, Jr., and she writes at K.A. Ellis on Substack.
Ellis brings the instincts of both worlds to everything she writes. A classically trained actress (Yale School of Drama) with television and national touring theatre credits, Ellis spent years honing the craft of telling true stories before turning her full attention to theology and research. She holds graduate degrees from Yale University, Westminster Theological Seminary, and an PhD from the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies.
From 2019 to 2026, Ellis served as founding Director of the Edmiston Center for Christian Endurance Studies, a global research initiative focused on Christians who suffer for their faith. Her particular focus has been Soviet and post-Soviet societies — places where the church was pressed underground and where the practice of holding fast became a matter of life and death. She trains leaders, builds networks, and works to amplify indigenous voices in the world’s most restricted regions.
She is married to theologian and author Dr. Carl F. Ellis, Jr., and she writes at K.A. Ellis on Substack.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 10, 2024
A picture book biography of Maria Fearing, a freed slave who went to Congo and worked to protect the children there from lives of slavery.
I'd heard of Maria Fearing before but didn't really know what she did or where she worked. This was an encouraging biography about how one woman made the difference in so many lives for God's glory.
Notes on content:
It sounded like Maria's story could be a lot more harrowing in the telling, but it was kept appropriate for young children. Seriousness is conveyed without horrifying.
I'd heard of Maria Fearing before but didn't really know what she did or where she worked. This was an encouraging biography about how one woman made the difference in so many lives for God's glory.
Notes on content:
It sounded like Maria's story could be a lot more harrowing in the telling, but it was kept appropriate for young children. Seriousness is conveyed without horrifying.
June 20, 2023
This new installment in the Do Great Things for God series is about Maria Fearing, an African-American woman who survived slavery, supported herself as a seamstress, and fulfilled her dream of becoming a missionary to Africa. At the beginning of this picture book biography, K. A. Ellis introduces children to basic concepts related to slavery, and she emphasizes the humanity of the enslaved and their dreams for a better life. She also conveys Fearing's missionary spirit in a vivid and inspiring way, showing how she made sacrifices and took risks to follow God's call to Africa and serve children there.
At the end, the book includes a historic photograph of Fearing and quotes one of her favorite Bible verses. There is also a timeline with more information, a map, and an advertisement for the free activity sheets that adults can download from the publisher's website to use with children. My one critique of this book is that the story glosses over the amount of time that passed between the end of American slavery and Fearing's trip to the Congo. According to the timeline, she was twenty-seven when the Civil War ended, but she was fifty-six when she began ministering overseas. The story doesn't adequately reflect this huge gap in time, and I think that is a missed opportunity to teach kids about patience, showing how long some people work and wait to fulfill the callings God has placed on their heart.
I would highly recommend this book to families, churches, and Christian schools. It is informative and inspiring, and it will especially appeal to people looking for biographies about Black women in church history. Taylor Barron's illustrations are colorful, gentle, and engaging, and K. A. Ellis shares important information about American slavery and oppression in Africa without making the book too grim for young children. This is appropriate for most independent readers to explore on their own, and parents can read this aloud to younger or more sensitive children. This will also appeal to adults, since it introduces a little-known historical figure's story in such an engaging way.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
At the end, the book includes a historic photograph of Fearing and quotes one of her favorite Bible verses. There is also a timeline with more information, a map, and an advertisement for the free activity sheets that adults can download from the publisher's website to use with children. My one critique of this book is that the story glosses over the amount of time that passed between the end of American slavery and Fearing's trip to the Congo. According to the timeline, she was twenty-seven when the Civil War ended, but she was fifty-six when she began ministering overseas. The story doesn't adequately reflect this huge gap in time, and I think that is a missed opportunity to teach kids about patience, showing how long some people work and wait to fulfill the callings God has placed on their heart.
I would highly recommend this book to families, churches, and Christian schools. It is informative and inspiring, and it will especially appeal to people looking for biographies about Black women in church history. Taylor Barron's illustrations are colorful, gentle, and engaging, and K. A. Ellis shares important information about American slavery and oppression in Africa without making the book too grim for young children. This is appropriate for most independent readers to explore on their own, and parents can read this aloud to younger or more sensitive children. This will also appeal to adults, since it introduces a little-known historical figure's story in such an engaging way.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2023
Maria Fearing: The Girl Who Dreamed of Distant Lands, is one of the latest additions to the Do Great Things for God series from The Good Book Company. Maria (pronounced Mar-eye-ah) was born into slavery in Alabama. She learned about Jesus and the gospel early on and dedicated her life to serving God. Once free, she had it in her heart to be a missionary and moved to Congo to help share the good news of Jesus.
While there, Maria cared for many children who would have become slaves under the rule of harsh King Leopold. She opened up her own home and used her own income to rescue girls and teach them about Jesus. This book is a simple and beautiful retelling of Maria Fearing's life and it is certain to bless all who read it. I was curious to learn more about Maria after reading the book and did some additional research. I found a lovely article by the book's author on Christianity Today titled, She Was Born into Slavery. She Became a Missionary to Africa at 56.
The article painted a fuller picture for me as an adult reader and learning about Maria's legacy moved me to tears. I'm so grateful for this series of books and I'm incredibly grateful for this particular volume which introduced me and my family to Maria Fearing. We really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read additional titles in this series.
I received Maria Fearing compliments of The Good Book Company in exchange for my honest review.
While there, Maria cared for many children who would have become slaves under the rule of harsh King Leopold. She opened up her own home and used her own income to rescue girls and teach them about Jesus. This book is a simple and beautiful retelling of Maria Fearing's life and it is certain to bless all who read it. I was curious to learn more about Maria after reading the book and did some additional research. I found a lovely article by the book's author on Christianity Today titled, She Was Born into Slavery. She Became a Missionary to Africa at 56.
The article painted a fuller picture for me as an adult reader and learning about Maria's legacy moved me to tears. I'm so grateful for this series of books and I'm incredibly grateful for this particular volume which introduced me and my family to Maria Fearing. We really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read additional titles in this series.
I received Maria Fearing compliments of The Good Book Company in exchange for my honest review.
June 30, 2023
Born as a slave and ministering to many formerly enslaved children in Africa, Maria Fearing is a woman of great testimony and it is an honor to have her story grace our shelves. This is a fantastic book that details the awful and broken way society has treated people of color. After the Civil War, when Maria and her family were freed from slavery, she chose to fight for other children enslaved overseas. In this story, it is clear that God used her story to mold her into the incredible woman she became, a mother to many.
We found this story to be easy to read and understand and my kindergarten-aged daughter enjoyed it immensely. The illustrations are subtle and accurately depict the story while still remaining age-appropriate. As with the other books in the series, we enjoyed the additional resources like the link to the free downloads, the map of where Maria traveled, the timeline of her life and of course the photograph of Maria.
This story, and this series, is a great way to encourage, inspire and uplift little hearts and minds. I love that when we read it, we aren’t reading fiction, but rather about a person who had great faith and made a difference in the world.
* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts below are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
We found this story to be easy to read and understand and my kindergarten-aged daughter enjoyed it immensely. The illustrations are subtle and accurately depict the story while still remaining age-appropriate. As with the other books in the series, we enjoyed the additional resources like the link to the free downloads, the map of where Maria traveled, the timeline of her life and of course the photograph of Maria.
This story, and this series, is a great way to encourage, inspire and uplift little hearts and minds. I love that when we read it, we aren’t reading fiction, but rather about a person who had great faith and made a difference in the world.
* I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts below are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
December 1, 2025
As humans, we are born to crave heroes, role models to which we can aspire. From the media to magazines to movies, we are assaulted with examples to emulate. But spiritual heroines can prove more difficult to discover. You never know what’s in a person until you tip them over and see what spills out. The Goodbook for Children’s Do Great Things for God series is an invitation to a literary tea party of godly women!
Betsey Stockton (1798-1865) embodied Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call on him.” Soon after she committed her life to Christ and was set free from sin, she was set free from slavery. She surrendered her freedom to serve as a missionary.
Each charmingly illustrated mini-biography includes a photograph, memory verse, timeline, map, discussion questions, and interactive worksheet pages for use at home or classroom, and each heroine reminds readers of all ages that God makes a way for those He calls. This collection of small books with big hearts is the perfect way to bring the Hebrews 11 “hall of faith” to your bookshelf.
Betsey Stockton (1798-1865) embodied Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call on him.” Soon after she committed her life to Christ and was set free from sin, she was set free from slavery. She surrendered her freedom to serve as a missionary.
Each charmingly illustrated mini-biography includes a photograph, memory verse, timeline, map, discussion questions, and interactive worksheet pages for use at home or classroom, and each heroine reminds readers of all ages that God makes a way for those He calls. This collection of small books with big hearts is the perfect way to bring the Hebrews 11 “hall of faith” to your bookshelf.
August 1, 2023
Maria Fearing is the girl who dreamed of distant lands. Written by K.A. Ellis, this new children’s biography tells of a missionary who shared Christ’s love with children in Africa and protected them from slavery.
The illustrations by Isabel Muñoz are dramatic yet kid-friendly. Her angles and use of colors make Fearing’s life of love vibrant and bold.
Seeing God’s Valuable Image in Vulnerable Children
I was most fascinated to see that Fearing helped translate the Bible. She believed that children should read it in their own language, and it encouraged me to train my children and the children at church to read the Bible for themselves and love it like a treasure.
I was not familiar with Fearing before this book. She has now become one of my favorite missionaries — a hero of the faith who saw God’s valuable image in vulnerable children.
I received a media copy of Maria Fearing and this is my honest review.
The illustrations by Isabel Muñoz are dramatic yet kid-friendly. Her angles and use of colors make Fearing’s life of love vibrant and bold.
Seeing God’s Valuable Image in Vulnerable Children
I was most fascinated to see that Fearing helped translate the Bible. She believed that children should read it in their own language, and it encouraged me to train my children and the children at church to read the Bible for themselves and love it like a treasure.
I was not familiar with Fearing before this book. She has now become one of my favorite missionaries — a hero of the faith who saw God’s valuable image in vulnerable children.
I received a media copy of Maria Fearing and this is my honest review.
August 4, 2023
Okay, so all of the Do Great Things for God books make me cry! HAHA! This one was no exception. It's just so incredible how God can use our stories, even our hard circumstances, for His glory! Maria was born a slave but emancipation came during her lifetime and she spent the rest of her years as a missionary in the Congo. Her heart for the Lord and her faith is so admirable. I love learning with my children about these "normal" women who do extraordinary things because they trust the Lord and they let Him shine in their lives!
In the back of everyone of these books is more resources to interact with the stories. I still have little kids so we just read the stories now, but I'm collecting all the books and excited to continue using them as they get older for book reports and study in our homeschool!
In the back of everyone of these books is more resources to interact with the stories. I still have little kids so we just read the stories now, but I'm collecting all the books and excited to continue using them as they get older for book reports and study in our homeschool!
October 4, 2025
Love this series and was super excited to read this book, which tells the story of an African American woman going as a missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo. I'm really glad this book exists! Also a bit disappointed that the writing was not as good as some of the other books in this series. The information was presented in a confusing way, and some vocabulary words seemed too advanced for the target audience. I kept having to stop and explain things to my 4 year old son (which I hadn't needed to do for the Helen Roseveare or Joni Eareckson Tada ones). Also some strange metaphors like freedom dust flying off the hooves of a horse, and children flitting in and out of her house like butterflies. I felt like it just needed another round of editing.
June 21, 2024
This is a children's book about Maria Fearing who was born into slavery. Freed by the Emancipation Proclamation when she was 27, she taught herself to read and write. She made an income by sewing clothes for people. All her life she had heard of Africa and wanted to go but didn't know how she could do that. Then she met missionaries going to Belgian Congo and invited her to go. There she taught children, fought against the injustices of King Leopold's corrupt government, and rescued orphaned children from being sold into slavery. She was quite the woman and a missionary I had never heard of before.
January 2, 2024
I cannot get enough of this series! Every book in this series is incredibly written and beautifully illustrated. I love that the text is written in a way that is easy for children to understand, and gets to the basic timeline of each person‘s life. As a homeschooler, the extra resources and learning materials included are a huge blessing! You cannot go wrong with any book in the series!
April 25, 2024
Maria Fearing was born in Alabama as a slave girl. After becoming a Christian, Maria felt led by God to go to different lands to share the love of God, specifically Africa. Once she was set free from slavery, Maria worked to save up money to go. Eventually, with enough funds for her trip, Maria arrives at the Congo to serve and love on the poeople there.
June 21, 2023
I had read about Maria Fearing in Jasmine Holmes's book Carved in Ebony, but I hadn't realized how similar Maria's work in Congo was to Amy Carmichael's work in India. This book brings her life and story to a child's level. We will definitely be purchasing more books from this series!
June 26, 2023
I had never heard of Maria Fearing before reading this book. What an amazing woman of God! My boys (10, 8, 6) love this entire series, and this book is now one of our favorites!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews