The King’s Highway, by Howard Fullmer
The King’s Highway, retold and illustrated by Howard Fullmer is one of those rare children’s books that has a place on every shelf and in every heart, regardless of age. It pulls together within its covers the perfect symbiosis of story, art, and moral. The story is the timeless fable of the young shepherd, Michael, who in the course of his humble service, freely given, finds himself in a place of unexpected greatness. Fullmer’s retelling is involved enough to reel in the attention of older listeners, and yet worded in a way that brings younger ones along, just as enraptured.
The art is hypnotic - simultaneously alluring and exciting. The entire volume is pursued in a palette of rich tones, stylistically executed in a profound geometry that just sings to the eyes from the delicately and intricately worked paintings. The excitement of each piece is preserved by varying the format of the paintings throughout the book, sometimes even placing a painting within a painting. There is an “ooh,” an “aah,” and even more to be had on each page as one leafs through the book, even without the story. Fullmer’s style is so unique, and so bold, as to render it captivating to all eyes, young and old.
At its heart, this story is one of instruction, and as the best teachers do, Fullmer lets the lesson speak for itself. The narrative of the story is never high-handed or preachy. The moral, being that the greatest service is that which is humbly given on behalf of others, seamlessly flows to the minds of the readers and listeners as the story is absorbed as a whole. For all that it is an abstract concept, it is readily understandable, even to the very young, leaving them with a desire to be like Michael and offer their own humble service where they can.
This book is beautiful to speak, beautiful to hear, beautiful to see, and even beautiful to touch. Kudos to the designers at Shadow Mountain for their lovely treatment of the volume, which has placed it in a lightly textured, matte cover whereon the paintings are set apart in a bold, smooth gloss, making it an all-around sensory delight for readers, lookers, and listeners of all ages, faiths, and understandings.
The King’s Highway, by Howard Fullmer. Published by Shadow Mountain, an imprint of Deseret Book.
Cover image © Deseret Book. Used with permission.
September 25th, 2006 20:38
If the book is half as good as your review, Naiah, I’m sure my grandchildren will love it! You have definitely convinced me to buy it. Thanks for telling us about a good children’s book that I might not have found on my own.
September 26th, 2006 12:30
It is a great book, for grandchildren young and old. I was thinking it’d be a great gift even for a recently-called missionary or a graduate, for all that it is a child’s storybook. There is a thread of truth to the story that is good for all ages.
I’m so glad that the review could bring something good into your life that you otherwise might not have found! That’s exactly why we publish them!