Two lies became three,
and three became more,
till the heart wasn’t sure
what was true anymore.
When a child disobeys and tries to hide, she soon discovers that lying leads to a sticky mess! How will she ever get unstuck? Through rhyming words and vibrant pictures, The Heart Who Wanted to Be Free helps children (and their parents!) embrace the freedom that comes through the practice of confession and forgiveness.
Children learn from a very young age what is good behavior—and they learn to hide their wrongs too. Through this story, parents and teachers can do the holy work of creating an environment in which confession is seen as a gift, an act that frees even the smallest hearts from the burden of shame and lets us all receive God’s grace.
Like every book in the StrongHeart Stories series, The Heart Who Wanted to Be Free equips children with healthy, loving ways to deal with big feelings. This illustrated story series gives parents the guidance and biblical tools to prepare children for spiritual battles in developmentally appropriate ways—through Scripture, worship, rest, prayer, confession, and community.
Beth Guckenberger lives with her family in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she serves as co-executive director of Back2Back Ministries. Beth lived in Mexico for fifteen years and has raised eleven children. She is the author of twelve books and speaks regularly at conferences, youth gatherings, and church services.
Irina Mileo was born in Tuscany and lives there with her family, including her strange cat Sir Boo and her beautiful baby girl. Trained as an engineer, Irina now constructs imaginative, colorful worlds for children, just like the worlds that so inspired her as a child.
“Beth Guckenberger’s StrongHeart Stories are picture books with a purpose: to help make kids’ hearts more confident, hopeful, and joyful in the face of an enemy who wants them to be deceived, disappointed, and discouraged. And the message that we are loved, we are forgiven, and we are chosen is one that all of us need to hear, over and over again—grown-ups too!”
“Beth Guckenberger has done it again—The Heart Who Wanted to Be Free is a beautifully written and illustrated story that speaks straight to a child’s heart. With Gospel truth and gentle storytelling, this book shows the power of confession, grace, and freedom in Christ. It’s a must-have resource for parents, pastors, and anyone who wants to help kids grow strong in both character and faith.”
