A Nonconformist preacher and writer of the seventeenth century, John Bunyan is well known as the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, the epic tale of Christian’s journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City—from unbelief, to repentance and faith, to the trials and victories of life, to heaven. Many people don’t realize, however, that Bunyan based the story on his own life, which was full of dangers, obstacles, disappointments, tough decisions, and great encouragements.

Simonetta Carr introduces young readers to the story of John Bunyan, from his rebellious youth to preacher of the gospel and prisoner for the sake of Christ. His example of faithfulness to God will inspire readers as they learn about this important figure of church history.

Table of Contents

1. Willful Child, Daring Soldier

2. The Christian’s Progress

3. Prisoner for Christ

4. A Busy Writer

5. New Challenges

Timeline

From John Bunyan’s Pen

Did You Know?

About the Author

Simonetta Carr was born in Italy and has lived and worked in different cultures. A former elementary school teacher, she home-schooled her eight children for many years. She has written for newspapers and magazines around the world and has translated the works of several Christian authors into Italian. Presently, she lives in San Diego with her husband, Thomas, and family. She is a member and Sunday school teacher at Christ United Reformed Church, Santee, California.

Illustrator

Matt Abraxas has traveled from California to France, studying different approaches to art. He enjoys creating and teaching art and currently exhibits his work at the SmithKlein Gallery in Boulder, Colorado. Matt lives with his wife, Rebecca, and two sons, Zorba and Rainer, in Lafayette, Colorado.

Endorsements

"With clarity, grace, and an eye for engaging detail, Simonetta Carr presents the fascinating and eventful life story of the man behind Pilgrim’s Progress, in a way that is both historically accurate and spiritually inspiring." — Dr Lee Gatiss, author of Light after Darkness: How the Reformers Regained, Retold, and Relied on the Gospel of Grace

“It’s hard to imagine any book more influential in English and Christian culture than John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. Simonetta Carr’s biography introduces young people to the man behind the allegory: a tinker, soldier, and political prisoner who helped shape the way people have for him over two centuries seen the dangerous journey of life. It tells of his mischievous youth, his conversion, his struggles, and his long imprisonment, all in engagingly clear language. Young readers will be especially interested in the historical and cultural facts at the end of the biography, all designed to place Bunyan’s extraordinary experience in his historical context. Carr is able to weave an inspiring narrative that balances the intriguing dangers of Bunyan’s life with his spiritual growth: an ideal way to introduce children to this important seventeenth-century figure.” - Shannon Murray, Ph.D., Professor, The University of Prince Edward Island, Vice-President, The John Bunyan Society