Asher and the Spirit's Light - Winner of the Christian Book Excellence Award 2026!

Winner of the Christian Book Excellence Award 2026!

Asher and the Spirit's Light" is a heart-warming children's story that follows the journey of Asher, a small and shy fox, as he discovers the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit. When Asher hears his parents' voices raised in argument, he slips outside feeling alone, only to find solace in the Holy Spirit. Through his encounter, Asher learns that the Holy Spirit's love is always with him, offering warmth, love, comfort, and the reassurance that he is never truly alone. With enchanting illustrations and lyrical prose, this book not only introduces young readers to the Holy Spirit but also emphasises the power of love and kindness to overcome life's challenges. A delightful story that encourages children to find strength and connection within their own hearts and the world around them. 

A Review of Asher and the Spirit's Light  |  ★★★★★
A Tender Introduction to the Holy Spirit for Little Hearts
This is a beautiful introduction to the Holy Spirit for the little one in your life. Written with warmth, lyrical prose, and biblically-sound wisdom, Asher and the Spirit's Light is both an engaging children's story and a thoughtful discipleship resource that gently helps young hearts know the comfort and power of the Holy Spirit.
In this book, Asher, a little fox, overhears his parents arguing and quietly slips outside alone, his “tummy felt twisty, all tumbly and tight” (p. 6). It’s such a simple line, but one that perfectly captures how young children often describe overwhelming emotions. Instead of being met by a parent or sibling, Asher is comforted by the Holy Spirit beneath a starlit sky: “Hello, dear child… Asher, I’m here and I love you” (p. 11).
I loved this theological choice. So many Christian children’s books naturally center on a simplified version of Jesus or speak broadly of “God’s love,” but Zanker invites children to know the Holy Spirit as the Parakletos, the Comforter, the One Jesus promised would be with us, bringing peace, comfort, and reminding us that we are never alone! It’s a beautiful and pastorally thoughtful application of John 14:26 that recognizes and honors the reality that children often comprehend more than they can communicate.
The book itself is beautifully composed. Written in gentle rhyming couplets, it also uses typography in creative ways to help tell the story. As Asher quietly leaves home, the words themselves seem to drift down the page, visually mirroring his retreat. It’s a subtle touch, but one that adds depth without drawing attention to itself.
Zanker’s watercolor illustrations are also stunning. Rich indigos and plums, warm golds, and a sky full of stars create an atmosphere where the Spirit’s nearness feels tangible rather than abstract. Every page invites children to linger and ponder, encouraging both parents and children to slow down and soak in the beauty of the story together.
I also loved the narrative choice for the story’s closing. Asher doesn’t return to a suddenly perfect home that was magically fixed in a fable-like manner. Instead, he returns carrying the peace the Holy Spirit has given him. That feels honest, hopeful, and deeply reassuring for children who have (or will) experience the fact that our circumstances in this world don’t always change overnight. Instead, we have the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us, and that truth is better than any fairy tale ending.
The nuance in this story is what makes it remarkable for a kid’s book. Asher and the Spirit’s Light is a thoughtful discipleship resource wrapped in beautiful storytelling, helping little hearts learn that even in confusing or difficult moments, the Holy Spirit is a refuge, a fortress, a comforter, an advocate, and an ever-present friend. Reading this book to my little one reminded my heart of this truth, too.
Warm, visually compelling, and theologically rich in all the right places, Asher and the Spirit’s Light is one I would gladly recommend to families, churches, and anyone building a library of Christ-centered books for young children!

Leah B. Thomsen
MA (Theological Studies) | MA (Journalism)
CEO | Head Evaluator
The Christian Book Excellence Awards