Unexpected Treasures

Victoria Osteen has gained recognition and respect as a co-pastor of the world famous Lakewood Church together with her husband and best-selling author, Joel Osteen. Her message of faith and love targeted towards women and children have gained her respect and a loyal following of her own.

In Victoria Osteen's new storybook series, she takes her readers on exhuberant fantasy adventures that encourage children to use their imaginations to grow in their faith and inspiration. In this tale on the high-seas, two friends, "Captain" Jon and his "First Mate" Sue, embark on an adventure of imaganation and discovery. While exploring the world on their imaginary ship, they meet a grumpy old pirate who is looking for the ultimate treasure.

Told with a yo-ho-ho and with sing-songy rhymes, these two adventurous friends teach the old pirate that the best treasure of all is the love in our hearts. A fun activity and crafts page at the end of the book encourages kids to implement the lesson they've just learned and to the adventure in their own daily lives.

Children's Literature

Captain Jon and First Mate Sue set sail in their imaginary ship and immediately spot another ship in trouble. They invite the quarreling Curly Beard and Pirate Fred aboard and begin lecturing them about the values of friendship. They explain that everyone makes mistakes and then share their lunch with the two visitors. The lectures about friendship and perseverance in the face of adversity continue as the four "sail away" to fix the hole in the pirates' pretend ship. They discover a box of treasure along the way, which the children share. A "Nuggets of Gold Treasure Map" appears near the back of the book with inspirational couplets called "Anchor Thoughts." A "Captain's Q & A" page contains questions for discussion. Written in verse, the text is difficult to read. Artificial-sounding language is forced into uneven rhymes. The didactic tone throughout detracts from the sense of story. Colorful illustrations depict four attractive children and help convey the feeling of make-believe. The book seems to be designed for adults to use with children in the context of a church school setting. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.

Victoria Osteen has always had an infectious passion and enthusiasm for life. A native Houstonian, Victoria began her career in her family's jewelry business and now works with the most precious treasure of all -- people. She is an inspiration and mentor to women everywhere as she ministers alongside her husband, Joel, and sets a wonderful example for their two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. Victoria is active in her community and committed to helping women, children, and families discover their purpose and reach their highest potential.