Reviews & Endorsements

“Each story is more than a story. We see fun characters who must deal with an issue. Each story finishes with a section of Wisdom of the World and Wisdom of the Word. Along with those, the study guides ask questions that relate the story to the bible. This allowed us to relate everyday situations with what the bible teaches us about dealing with them. This is a book that I love having in our house and one that I feel would be great for any house!””Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables...eight fables with crystal-clear lessons… display core gospel truths, reminding readers that God’s love is a gift that is not earned, we are created for God’s glory…”

“Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables is a book rich in content that provides opportunities for the most important conversations parents, grandparents and teachers can have with children today. These creative fables contain essential, biblically-informed Truth necessary for knowing how to live as God intends.”

“A book that should be very appealing to Christian homeschoolers…eight fables based on biblical principles that can be used for entertainment as well as for character building and moral instruction…The (Burrowing Deeper) questions make it a wonderful resource for the entire family to use together. This is a delightful and thought-provoking book that is beautiful enough for gift-giving.”

 In the May 4, 2022, edition of his daily podcast, “Breakpoint,” John Stonestreet, president of Colson Institute for Christian Worldview, makes some very insightful comments about Christian children’s literature. In his post, he favorably mentions Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables.  

“Wonderfully contrasts the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of the Word.”

“A lot of great ideas for books come across my desk, many of them appealing and nicely done. However, Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables is the best I’ve seen in years. This book’s a winner!”

One of the cleverest children’s books I’ve ever read! Although written for children, this book is for adults too! Reading it with your child and using the discussion questions will give you fresh insights into your child’s heart while proclaiming God’s truth in a world of false messages. Grandparents read this with your grandkids! You will all love the artist! Order a dozen for gifts!

“Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables is a hardcover Christian picturebook of eight, engaging animal parables, each of which shares an invaluable life lesson based upon God’s Word. For example, one fable leads to the moral “True happiness can’t be found / as a goal we must achieve; / When we know God’s love for us, / it’s a gift that we receive.” Additional “Wisdom of the World” and “Wisdom of the Word” passages offer insights from notable human beings and passages of the Bible, respectively. A glossary rounds out this wonderful storybook, highly recommended for Christian families to read aloud and share.”

“Finding reading material for children that is appropriate and engaging can be a challenge.
This is especially difficult for Christian parents, as inappropriate content increasingly finds its way into even children’s literature.  This is why I am so enthused about Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables by Michael and Sarah Dowling.  The engaging stories, godly content, and extremely beautiful illustrations combine into a book
that I truly believe will become a modern-day classic.

The Dowlings are to be commended for creating a book that draws in readers of many age groups.  There are great story lines, conclusions that affirm faith and values, and even a glossary with definitions for words that it is important for all to know.  Children everywhere need to learn lessons about God and morals— and “Frog’s Rainy-Day Story” present such truths in a uniquely effective way.”

“Biblical worldview education is a very high priority at our school. I always jump at the chance to check out new books/curriculum that might help our teachers convey truth to our students on a daily basis. When I received my copy of Frog’s Rainy-Day Story, I knew that I needed to purchase one for each classroom and several for our library. The stories themselves are simple enough for our lower elementary to comprehend, and yet when we supplement the book with the ‘Burrowing Deeper’ study guide, we can challenge our middle school and high school students to think deeply about some worldview questions. I strongly recommend the book for anyone who wishes to prepare the next generation for what they will face when they go out into the world. When it comes to Biblical worldview education, you can never start too young. There is so much at stake!”

“Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables is a beautifully illustrated book filled with stories that cause us to stop and ponder… a great read-aloud book for families.”

“A beautiful children’s book that contrasts the world view’s and God’s view regarding life principles. In our ever growing ‘self-first’ culture, this book allows children and adults to truly see the ‘foolish wisdom of the world’ juxtaposed against ‘God’s wisdom’ allowing the reader to choose the path that brings blessings!”

“As a pastor, theologian, and father of three (4, 3, and 1!), I can not more highly recommend Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables. The Dowling’s have a much needed and too often neglected insight into the power of stories to shape and mold our thoughts and ideas about the very nature of reality. With Frog’s Rainy-Day, they have packaged quite powerful and enduring Christian truth claims in an accessible and winsome package that will be a delight for all parents and grandparents looking for a tool to help ‘instruct a child in the way he should go'” (Proverbs 22:6). 

“Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables is wonderful!  I am asking our denominational bookstore manager to add it to our website and order copies for us to share and sell at upcoming conferences. Thank  you for sending us information to share. I promise that it will be placed into the hands of parents and children’s ministry workers in the PCA. I also will be ordering four copies as gifts for my children who parent all eleven of my grandchildren, plus one copy for my church preschool. Bless you.”

“Frog’s Rainy Day Story and Other Fables is rich in content that provides opportunities for the most important conversations that parents, grandparents and teachers can have with children today. These creative fables contain essential, biblically-informed truths that we need for learning to live as God intended. Here are beautifully illustrated parables, but they are not just “kids stories.” They illustrate truths necessary for the very survival of our civilization. This is not an overstatement.”

I was introduced to “Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables” by my daughter who was reading it to her kids. The beautiful combination of  the initial simplicity of the stories, and the underlying depth of meaning was immediately attractive, and the gallery-worthy illustrations captured the attention of  both young and old. A friend and I decided to do a personal study based on the book and the free study guide. It has been very encouraging and convicting as we “dig deeper” and uncover worldly behaviors and the beliefs behind them which are in clear contrast to what the wisdom of God’s Word teaches. It is amazing how much the exploration of these seemingly basic topics can expose! This beautiful book and its important and timeless truths have multi-generational appeal. I love this book and would highly recommend it to everyone!

“A clever and thought-provoking response to the false narratives that thread our culture.”

“Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables has a wonderful way with words and with teaching important life-lessons too. Who knew Aesop-style morality tales could be so charming?”

“The timeless moral messages Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables will both entertain and convict today’s readers. If there were ever a picture book for all ages–this is it!”

 “Michael and Sarah Dowling have composed a rare jewel—a book that is thought-provoking, humorous, simple, profound, and beautiful all wrapped up in one small, delightful package. Mike’s text is clear, and his stories demonstrate a subtlety and care that so many books written for children eschew in the modern era. Sarah’s illustrations exhibit such a joy and winsomeness that I can see in my mind’s eye children begging their parents to read to them from ‘the Froggy book one more time.’ The book also manages to be theologically astute and thoroughly engaging at the same time. I could not recommend it more highly for readers of any age.”

“Delightfully illustrated and deeply insightful!”

“This clever book is a valuable resource that the church today so desperately needs.”

“Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables provides powerful insight into the differences between a biblical worldview and the thinking of this world. An excellent book for both children and adults!”

“Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables is a rich delight for little hearts! Wonderful as a bible supplement study for children and as a catalyst for daily devotions. Great discussion topics for the family. The artwork captivates the imagination!”

 “Michael Dowling’s delightful Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables encourages critical thinking by youngsters (and oldsters as well) about fundamental Christian family values in today’s world, where these teachings are relentlessly being challenged.  Sarah Dowling’s lovely illustrations add winsome appeal. This highly creative and meaningful work of art by a talented husband/wife team will enrich the lives of children and adults.”

“This book is a charming and effective way to use to speak with your children about the differences between the wisdom that is being promoted in our wider society and biblical wisdom. As I seek to raise my children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, I have so appreciated having this book as way to begin conversations and help them (even at 10 and 8) to think critically and not just go with what they hear and see around them. I highly recommend this book for children (and adults too), and have no doubt that you will benefit greatly from going through these pointed fables.”

“We were privileged to be interviewed by Jeanne Dennis of Heritage of Truth TV when we were at Christian Product Expo International. You can hear the interview on her website by clicking the button below.”

“Award-winning author Michael Dowling has written a lively, imaginative, and enlightening text, beautifully illustrated by his award-winning artist wife Sarah. These modern-day fables combine the best of Aesop’s classic method with in-depth knowledge of contemporary departures from sound wisdom and common sense. The Dowlings express the hope that the stories will provide the readers with ‘fresh insights and plenty of chuckles,’ and will enrich us with timeless truths, and the book fully fulfills that desire.

“The opening tale, which tells us of a revolt by the letters of the alphabet, sets the tone, alerting us to deeply held convictions that have caused untold frustration and even misery for millions of unsuspecting people. The rhymed moral at the end shows how well the Dowlings know how to guide us to profound truths that can set us free from popular nonsense: ‘We’re made for a much larger story, which we miss when we seek our own glory.’

“At the conclusion of every chapter comes a page contrasting “Wisdom of the World” with ‘Wisdom of the Word,’ with representative quotations from leading representatives of our culture and key passages from the Bible.

“A Glossary gives definitions of words that might not be familiar to all readers from their intended audience of children with a second to third grade reading level. The ‘Burrowing Deeper’ study guide contains questions “to stimulate further reflection and discussion for all ages,” making this very attractive book perfect for teaching as well as entertainment.

“Sarah Dowling’s illustrations not only delight the eyes and draw us into the story, but also skillfully depict the theme and tone of each story.

“All in all, I couldn’t think of a better gift to children or their parents than Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables.”

“Frog’s Rainy-Day Story and Other Fables is a great book choice for your family!”

“Frog’s Rainy-Day Story by Michael and Sarah Dowling carries a powerful message of the contrasting worldviews we see so clearly these days.  On the one hand the humanistic “self” view, claiming it’s all about “what I want”, is causing so much trouble and cannot ever produce good results. On the other hand, seeking to know the Lord and seeking His creative will for our lives is nearly a lost proverb.  Kids and adults now more than ever need to know the Lord’s ways and obtain His wisdom in how to face life’s challenges.  Having a servant heart rather than demanding to be served changes how we look at life’s opportunities and challenges.  We are trusting the message of the little book will impact our granddaughters for the Lord’s glory!”