Blotch: A Tale of Forgiveness and Grace by Andy Addis
Blotch is a young boy who is ashamed of the stains on his body. The stains won't go away and new ones continue to show up. But Blotch isn't the only one with stains like this. In fact, everyone he knows has the same problem.
Unable to accept his condition as normal, Blotch sets out on a journey to find a way to remove his spots and stains. Along the way, he encounters all sorts of people that cope with their stains in different ways. However, no one is able to get rid of them. Eventually, Blotch does meet someone who is able to truly remove his spots for him.
This short five-chapter story is both creatively told and illustrated. But it's no ordinary story. Blotch is a parable that helps kids grasp the ideas of sin, forgiveness, grace, and the gospel story.
Addis has done an outstanding job of writing a book that is engaging for kids and helps parents teach their children about Jesus, what he has done, and what that means for them. Each chapter includes a family discussion guide, which is located in the back of the book. Addis recommends reading one chapter each night and talking through the discussion questions with your child(ren).
There are few resources that I have found to be this engaging and helpful in talking with your kids about Jesus and the gospel. It addresses sin and its consequences in a way that kids can comprehend. It shows the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf and helps to bring understanding to the truth of grace. I highly recommend this resource to parents who have kids that are elementary age. It is a simple, quick read, yet very effective in bringing the right conversations to the table and aiding kids in their understanding of the gospel.
You can purchase Blotch: A Tale of Forgiveness and Grace here.