Is your child a fan of princesses and fairy tales? Join Princess Joy in this charming picture book based on the Parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14:15–23, which helps teach young children ages 4-8 that we are all welcome to God’s banquet in heaven—we only need to accept his invitation. In Princess Joy’s Birthday Blessing , Princess Joy loves celebrating her birthday! But when no one accepts the princesses’ invitation to their sister Joy’s surprise birthday party, she finds out and is sad. Then her father, the king, helps her understand that there are more ways to celebrate a special day and much better gifts to get than ones wrapped in pretty paper and bows. Joy then decides to create a party for some very special guests, creating a celebration for everyone to enjoy. Princess Joy’s Birthday Blessing: Has beautiful full-color illustrations - Presents biblical themes and values in a fun and approachable way - Is the perfect book for princess lovers ages 4-8 - Has a lovely cover that features bright tones and a fairy-tale feel If you enjoy Princess Joy’s Birthday Blessing , check out other titles in the Princess Parables series: A Royal Easter Story , A Royal Christmas Story, Princess Grace and the Little Lost Kitten, Princess Charity’s Courageous Heart, Princess Hope and the Hidden Treasure , and Princess Faith’s Mysterious Garden . 'No one can come to the surprise party, Daddy. What will we do?' Princess Joy can't wait for her birthday. There will be treats, games, and an enormous cake with pink icing! But when the other princes and princesses can't come, and princess Joy finds out, she comes up with a surprising plan to fill her day with special guests and unexpected gifts. Will it work? Her idea comes from a parable Jesus told about a party a lot like hers. Jeanna Stolle Young is a daughter of the king that lives in Southern California with her dashing husband, Bruce, her two sweet princesses, Danika and Emmalynn, and two daring princes, Christian and Kenton. God gave her the vision for this series that has caused her faith to grow through watching Him work. She has a passion for moms of princesses and knights training up the next generation for Christ. She is a speaker and blogger at www.theprincessparables.com There are more than 13 books in the Princess Parable brand. Jacqueline Kinney Johnson is a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians located on the Colombian border in Central America. The vision for The Princess Parable Series was born in these jungles. She is the wife of Pastor Ralph Johnson and the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three princesses, Catherine, Alexandra Grace, and Megan Joy and four young knights, Zack, Payton, Maverick, and Christopher. She delights in stirring young hearts and imaginations with Godly character and the certainty of becoming a child of the King for eternity. Her passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. She lives in a castle perched high on a hill above the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. Omar Aranda studied Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was born. Many top publishers and companies worldwide have commissioned him for projects including story artwork, comics, and character design. He started his career as an artistic painter but now devotes all of his time to illustrations for children's products. Princess Joy's Birthday Blessing By Jacqueline Johnson Jeanna Young ZONDERVAN Copyright © 2010 Jacqueline Johnson All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-310-71639-6 Chapter One Once upon a time, in a magnificent castle perched high on a hill above the sea, there lived five princesses. Their names were Joy, Grace, Faith, Hope, and Charity. They were blessed to be the daughters of the king. This is the story of Princess Joy. She walks with a skip in her step. She is a smile on a cloudy day. She loves fluffy dresses, shimmering ribbons in her hair, and sparkly shoes. She is often found daydreaming about fairy tales and fancy festivities ... like her quickly approaching birthday! Beautiful invitations were sent to princes and princesses in faraway lands. In anticipation of the upcoming day, the sisters planned a wonderful celebration! Soon the responses to the invitations began to arrive. No one could come. Not even one! They all had excuses. Prince Jack was invited to a different party. Princess Ashlynn had just gotten a new bike and wanted to ride it. Princess Elizabeth had a new baby brother and needed to stay home with her mother. The list went on and on. In response, the king lifted Princess Joy onto his throne and announced that each child would take turns sitting next to her while Princess Joy gave gifts to each one of her new friends. It was the grandest birthday party of all time! (Continues...) Excerpted from Princess Joy's Birthday Blessing by Jacqueline Johnson Jeanna Young Copyright © 2010 by Jac