Tuesday, February 10, 2026

7. Searching for Mr. Johnson's Song




7. Searching for Mr. Johnson's Song. Ariel Vanece. Illustrated by Jade Orlando. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, hymns, friendship]

First sentence: In the summer, Caius spends his mornings on Mr. Johnson's front porch. 

Premise/plot: Caius loves his neighbor, Mr. Johnson. On good days, Mr. Johnson is still singing his song--a hymn--though he fumbles with remembering the words. Lately, Mr. Johnson hasn't felt like singing his song at all. His memory problems are getting him down. Caius goes in search of Mr. Johnson's song so he can potentially cheer his neighbor up when he sings it. 

The song Mr. Johnson loves to sing is "Further Along." 

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I am glad I read it. I wasn't expecting the hymn connection when I checked it out from the library. It is a sweet story about a young boy who loves his neighbor and wants to be his friend and cheer him up. 

I definitely recommend sharing the song with young ones if they are unfamiliar with it. 


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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