Arlo and the Keep-Out Club by Betsy Childs Howard

Arlo has a chance to join the “big boys” club at the park, but they ask him to do something unkind and he refuses. After some encouragement from his dad, Arlo sees a little girl about to be the victim of the boys’ unkind prank and jumps to block and protect the girl. The park warden escorts the big boys out of the park and Arlo doesn’t feel so small anymore.

Teaching our children that following Christ will cost us many things is important, even in small matters. I appreciate how Arlo and the Keep-Out Club relatably shows children that following Jesus can feel lonely sometimes, but Christ is always with us. Arlo is such a sweet character, and I love his bravery in protecting Bonnie. In a culture where boys can be shamed for acting masculine, Arlo demonstrates a willingness to endure hardship- in this case, physical pain- to protect someone else.

Teaching our children to be faithful in the small things can be challenging in the moment, but Arlo and the Keep-Out Club gives us an opportunity to have purposeful discussions with our children about what it looks like to follow Christ in the big and small matters.

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