Zion Learns to See

Inspired by true events, this compelling children’s picture book addresses the prevalence of homelessness in the United States and encourages a Christ-like response to people who are unhoused. Father and daughter, Terence Lester and Zion Lester, team up to share Zion’s experiences when she was 7 years old and, for the first time, visited the community center where Terence was employed.

As Zion joins her dad in handing out sandwiches, she meets Deloris, Mr. Gerald, and others. She also witnesses an angry outburst by a driver passing by who screams at a homeless man and his children.

Zion is confused and frightened and asks, “Why would someone yell like that?” Terence responds, “I don’t know, sweetie. But I do know that every person matters to God. And that means every person should matter to us. When we begin to see people the way God sees them, we treat them differently.”

Terence also helps his inquisitive daughter understand some of the reasons people are unhoused and to grapple with the reality that many children are included in that population.

When Zion returns home that evening, she decides two things: to return to the community center and to share what she has learned with others. She does just that by addressing her classmates and asking them to donate goods for the people who come to the center.

In an authors’ note, the Lesters write, “Recent reports tell us that more than a million students enrolled in public schools are experiencing homelessness in the United States, and that number continues to climb. We wrote this book with the hope of helping children (and adults) become more aware of those who are without homes in our neighborhoods and our schools, and to consider ways we all might better love and serve this population.”

Illustrator Subi Bosa’s artwork complements the Lesters’ informative narrative as it reveals Zion’s mixed emotions as she navigates a new experience: confusion, fear, surprise, laughter, compassion, sadness, and meditativeness.

Christian parents, teachers, and caregivers will find in Zion Learns to See an excellent resource to teach young children about homelessness and the way God wants his children to respond.

(IVP Kids)