Hermie and Friends by Max Lucado is a cute children’s series of books and shows that make the truths of the Bible practical and accessible for kids of all ages. The way Hermie and friends characters interact and learn the necessary lessons can bring home the point to kids and parents/grandparents at the same time.
It is always amazing to me, how God works to multiply His message.
Isaiah 55:11 says:
“so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”
I always get excited when I see or experience that playing out.
He can have someone write children’s books with life lessons that apply to the kids and adults equally, and have both the mom and her little ones get the lesson in a slightly different way, from the same 8 page board book, or 20 minute cartoon.
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What Makes a Great Family Show?
Something that appeals to kids, will keep their interest and share something valuable, while also managing to speak to the adults positively at the same time. It’s great when you can keep both groups entertained without resorting to inappropriate comments that, while going over kids heads, still aren’t worthy of the space they take up. The number or shows like this are limited these days, but there are few out there still!
The power of story can’t be underestimated! Seeing someone else experience things and make choices can really help us see things more clearly in our own lives!
Max Lucado is GOOD at Writing Stories with Life Lessons on Multiple Levels!
Max created this garden and populated it with insects, and a few other small creatures. Then, he puts everyday struggles in their path, and we get to see them work things out. Hermie and his friends are learning some foundational truths and principles together, in a way that’s fun and very engaging. Sometimes I think as a mom, I get more from it than my kids do, but they really get it too (and personalizes it well), as it was intended.
Favorite Hermie and Friends Books with Life Lessons
In THE FLOOD OF LIES Hermie is so focused on his own desire (this time a tasty treat), that he doesn’t care about the consequences of his actions. Even after causing the garden to flood. His “creative” answers to the question of what happened, remind me of my own attempts to minimize my faults and redirect attention (Ouch). A good lesson for kids to learn well now, to always tell the truth. but how many of us grown-ups need to be reminded of it, also?
In A COMMON CATERPILLAR Hermie and Wormie are in Comparison Mode. “God, He got this Amazing Ability!” God, She is SO Pretty” God, I’m SO Common!! There’s nothing Special about ME!”
Don’t smirk. You’ve thought the same things. This one made me cry (I’ll admit that it was on the 20th read, but isn’t that it with Scripture too?).
God keeps redirecting their attention to inward things-A Heart Like Mine. But of course, you know what becomes of caterpillars. The outward transformation at the end of the book, when Hermie finally “Gets” it, is cool. God wasn’t done finished with Hermie, Outside, or Inside.
Something I need to be reminded of. Gotta love children’s books with life lessons that work for parents just as much as they do for kids!
Flo, the Lyin’ Fly tackles a tricky and complex topic: Lying. We may all know that lying is wrong. (or most of us do) but we (yes, it’s not just the kids) do it anyways. The way this story unfolds shows some of the motivation for lying, especially a desire to be liked and accepted, or admired.
More Great Children’s Books
- The Real Easter Story
- Christmas Books that Inspire Faith
- Growing the Faith of A Child with Great Books
- The Best Children’s Bible Story Books
Hermie & Friends Shows That You Don’t Want to Miss
In THE MANTIS WHO WOULDN’T PRAY, we see the journey from trying to talk to God on Our Terms (and Boy can we Milo miss the simplicity of talking to God), the way we think is best, for What we think is best, to seeing things HIS way. Hermie and friends illustrate this point in several ways.
How God Answers our prayers, even when we don’t see it/it doesn’t make sense. We can be so focused on the desired outcome that we miss His Provision. How sometimes, God is using us to help someone else, and we don’t even have a clue? I don’t know about you, but sometimes I make prayer into more work than it should be. After all, we’re talking to our Friend, Father, our Comforter!
SCAREDY SPIDER, now There’s a story for you. I think this was my introduction to Hermie and Friends. That new visitor, who’s SO different, and SO intimidating, well…
- Appearances can be deceiving.
- All Spiders are scary. (or scared of everything?)
- That woman has it all together, she’d never want to be my friend. (That woman has just as many insecurities as you, and is afraid you wouldn’t want to be Her Friend!)
If one of you is willing to show courage and reach out, WOW, New Friend!
In FRUITCAKE CHRISTMAS, sharing, and being kind, are the lesson points. But the target recipient? Not the ones like me, that I am more likely to find easy to reach out to. NO SIR. No, That’s not who needs to be shown kindness most.
What did Jesus say? it’s not the healthy who need a doctor, it’s the sick. Do I try to reach out, beyond my ‘safe’ circle? Not really. That is scary. Father, Help me to see the way You do. Help us to have the courage to show Kindness to those who are “Other”
*Other awesome Christian Kids Shows*
With Hermie and Friends: Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure, There’s a lovely exploration of strengths and weaknesses, and comparing our differences. Skeeter compares his crooked nose to his famous brother’s perfectly straight one. Is convinced he’s not as valuable as his brother because of it.
Meanwhile, Brother has been hiding the fact that he can’t fly, and is ashamed of that. Giving his brother a hard time about his crooked nose is how he makes himself feel superior even though he can’t fly (which kind of seems like a bigger deal). Watching them work it all out is fascinating, and encouraging.
Hermie and Friends: Buzby and the Grumble Bees is hilarious. Hermie and friends use something like reverse psycology to help drive home the point of gratitude and personal responsibility. I’m not an advocate of that technique in general, but it works really well here. Seeing all of the adults acting grouchy, selfish, and careless really gets the kids laughing, but also, opens their eyes a bit.
My Top 5 Lessons from Hermie and Friends
- Tell the truth without ‘filtering it’ to make me sound better.
- Inward appearance – Heart Matters, are more important. Both for me personally, and for teaching my son.
- Outward appearances can be deceiving!
- Be Kind. The results might just surprise you!
- God uses anything in front of me to get His message across.
He’s Pretty Amazing! But then, we already knew that, right?
There are so many benefits of reading with children, it is hard to narrow down the top ones!
Hermie and Friends Stories are More than Just Stories
I’ve always been fascinated by the ability to multi-task. Sometimes I can, sometimes I can’t. It depends on what I am trying to do.
But I can’t say I truly considered my personal devotional time and reading with my kids as something that could be multi-tasked well.
I was wrong. Again.
When I choose the right books with life lessons and faith-building throughout, then I’m learning as much as my little guys. How about you? What’s your favorite children’s books with life lessons, and have you learned lessons right beside your kids?
I’d love to hear about it! And please share this with anyone in your circle who reads to children, even if they only get to read books with life lessons to nieces and nephews.
Until Next Time, Love God, Love Books, Shine The Light!!
One Comment on “Why Hermie and Friends Are Actually Great Family Shows”
Aw, yay! I love it when devotionals are disguised as books. Everyone can learn at the same time.