Grandpa Joe and the Great City
Simon and Lexi didn’t want to move. New house, new school, new everything. But on their very first evening, Grandpa Joe opens his book—
and suddenly none of that matters.
Great battles. Miracles. Prophets and kings.
All surrounding a city on a hill so amazing it would
change the world forever.
Maybe moving to the country wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Grandpa Joe and the Great City launches a new middle-grade chapter series for readers ages 7–9, blending timeless storytelling with rich historical roots. When siblings Simon and Lexi move with their parents to the countryside, they find themselves restless, lonely, and far from their friends. Everything changes when their mother sends them to spend time with Grandpa Joe in his small house at the back of the property.
Each evening on his porch, Grandpa Joe tells true stories from the ancient world—tales of courage, faith, and resilience adapted from the writings of Flavius Josephus (A.D. 37–100). His stories of Jerusalem’s rise, loss, and rebuilding capture the children’s imagination and slowly reshape how they see their own new life.
This gentle, reflective story introduces children to enduring themes of perseverance, humility, and hope while creating an engaging read-aloud experience for families.
Beautifully written, historically grounded, and emotionally resonant, Grandpa Joe and the Great City sets the stage for an ongoing series that blends moral storytelling, classical history, and multigenerational warmth.
-
Ivanova Nono Fotso is a Cameroonian writer, editor, and translator with a passion for storytelling. She has contributed to various projects, including the Africa Study Bible, and served as an editor with Africa Speaks, an international network of Christian publishing professionals. Ivanova is also a published author, with two children’s books, several short stories, and scripts for comic book collections.
Jeremy D Johnson has spent more than forty years in publishing and a lifetime engaging Scripture through personal study, leading Bible studies and small groups, and teaching in churches and at retreats. For the past thirty years, his work has focused on Christian publishing, specifically Bibles and biblical resources, giving him deep familiarity with the text through the daily work of bringing it to readers. He is the author of Walking with Wisdom: A Devotional Journey for Fathers and Sons Tracing the Legacy of Wisdom from David to Solomon, contributor to The Story of the Bible, published by Museum of the Bible, and editor of the Global Bible Dictionary and The American Idea: Rediscovering the Words that Built a Nation, bringing America’s founding documents into modern language.
Brittany Faber is a South African children’s illustrator with a love for warm, expressive, story-driven visuals. Her work focuses on creating illustrations that feel emotionally engaging and age-appropriate, helping stories come to life through character, mood, and gentle detail.
Take a look to see what it’s all about!