Book: What would Jesus drive?
Author: Paul Clark
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher:Even Before Publishing, Wombat Books, Australia, 2012
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1 921633713
RRP: $9.99 (Also available in electronic formats)

Reviewed By: Penny Reeve

Blurb:‘It is Palm Sunday in the Church Car Park and Jesus is riding into Jerusalem. The only problem is deciding what Jesus would have driven into Jerusalem if there had been cars in his time. Was it a motorbike because Jesus was a rebel? Was it a truck so he could stand on the back and teach the crowd? Was it a bus because he was a man of the people and he could have brought his friends along? Find out what the cars think! Part of the Australian Car Park Parables series.’

Paul Clark – author of The Car Park Parables.

What I thought:  What would Jesus drive? is one of the books in the Car Park Parables series by Australian father, pastor and author Paul Clark. The series emerged as a result of Paul’s own struggles to share his enthusiasm for Bible stories with a toy car loving son. The books are small, think of the size of a Mr Men book, and as such I think many people would assume they are for a similar age-group. But the content of some of them, and the way the stories retell a familiar Bible story using automotive characters, actually require a higher level of understanding and conceptualisation than the average toddler has. In this particular instance the cars are debating an appropriate mode of transport for Jesus (see the blurb above).  I like the idea of using different ways to explore Biblical themes, and What would Jesus drive? is a light-hearted introduction to the character of Jesus and the Easter story. It is not a stand alone book, however, (in that the Easter story is incomplete) and I wouldn’t give it to a family with no church background. There is a lot of assumed knowledge and a lot left unsaid. But, for the Christian family, especially one that love to have faith based conversations together, this book would make a great gift.

For me, the strong point of this story is the consideration given to the kinds of vehicles Jesus could choose from. As each car offers their suggestion for this hypothetical situation, a crucial part Jesus’s character is explored: Jesus as king, as a ‘revolutionary world-shaker’, as caring for people and caring for the world etc. It’s a brilliant way to investigate and discuss the incredible person our Saviour was, and is! But, again, I’d hesitate with the very young. What I’d like to do is sit down with my older son (he’s 11) and get him thinking about who Jesus is using this book as a springboard for the discussion.

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Where to buy: Australian readers may find it easiest to stock this book from their local Christian bookstore or the author’s website. In the USA and elsewhere, The Car Park Parables are best ordered from Light The Dark, or Amazon.

This book was reviewed by Penny Reeve as part of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance. Penny is a children’s writer from Australian and is always on the look-out for great stories for kids that explore faith related concepts.
www.pennyreeve.com