This is another great children's book from New Growth Press that not only entertains but also teaches Godly principles. Gus Loses His Grip is the story of Gus the raccoon and his love for anything sweet. Candy, fruit, you name it..."Gus loved sweets. He loved everything sweet!" Soon, Gus finds himself hiding candy, lying, and eventually stealing to satisfy his sweet tooth. When Papa raccoon talks to Gus about letting his love of sweets cause him to do wrong, he soon realizes that he himself has been guilty of coveting fishing equipment and that this is very wrong also.

Children will love the colorful illustrations as they observe the raccoon family involved in the same daily activities as humans, such as fishing, Easter egg hunts, and picking berries. They will also learn that everyone is tempted by sin and that there are many different ways to sin, but we can always ask Jesus Christ to help us with those temptations.

This is a great book for children and adults to read together and there is also an added parent's guide in the back to help in further discussion. I highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy from New Growth Press but I wasn't required to write a positive review. These are my own opinions. ( )

My four-year-old enjoyed Gus Loses His Grip. I’m not sure if it was the love of candy, the naughty behavior, the colorful illustrations, or a combination of the three aspects, but this book was thoroughly entertaining for her.

Besides her enjoyment of this book, what I really appreciated about Gus Loses His Grip is its moral messages. There are the direct ones about it being wrong to steal and that we need help from Jesus when we struggle with temptation. But, there’s also an emphasis on honesty. Gus has a confessional conversation with his Papa, but then the Papa shares his own struggles and teaches that everyone, including grownups, needs help from Jesus. Being only four years old, I think my daughter was able to understand the moral messages of the story, but I’m not sure how deeply those messages sunk in. Fortunately, it’s a hardcover book and I expect it will hold up to her revisiting it over time.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." ( )

I am so happy to have some choices for my little niece, something in line with our Christian faith, and this little book sure meet the requirements.
While my little one is young, she is smart and loves the brightly colored pages, but she is also absorbing the messages offered, and in a delightful way.
With a lesson that has our Gus actually coveting sweets to the point of stealing, and reinforced with Dad coveting fishing gear, we are shown forgiveness, and God’s Love reinforced.
There are “back pocket” bible verses in the back of the book, they are perforated for easy tear out and carry.
A wonderful addition to our book case!

I received this book through the Publisher New Growth Press, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )