The Ultimate Dream: A Child’s Gift-Giving Journey

Heather Chabino and Sherri Watson
Brown Books Publishing Group (2009)
ISBN 9781934812334
Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (8/09)

 

Having never read either Jim Stovall’s “The Ultimate Gift” nor “The Ultimate Life,” I was a little skeptical of how I would like – or even be able to follow – Heather Chabino and Sherri Watson’s new book, “The Ultimate Dream: A Child’s Gift-Giving Journey.”  Utilizing Stovall’s methods, these two first-time authors set up their own ‘ultimate gift’ journey for Chabino’s daughter and write on the process and its effects.  Despite my lack of knowledge of Stovall’s books, I found “The Ultimate Dream” easy to read as well as a beautiful narrative of parental love. 

From the first page, it’s evident that author Heather Chabino’s life changed after she read Jim Stovall’s “The Ultimate Gift.” Described as a significant ‘aha’ moment in her life, she went on to apply these principles in planning her daughter’s own gift-giving journey.  Seeping with Christian values and genuine enthusiasm, “The Ultimate Dream” is a combination of motherly pride, a daughter’s education in intrinsic worth, and a family’s development towards a more profound and Godly life. 

“The Ultimate Dream: A Child’s Gift-Giving Journey” would be an appealing read for Christian families or groups looking to impact meaningful change on other peoples’ lives.  I did find Chabino’s daughter’s reactions a little surprising as she seemed to be swept up with emotion and responses very atypical of her age.  Her journal writings included at the end of the book sounded like someone much older wrote them.  Further, it was difficult for me to grasp that this young girl cried tears of joy when she learned that she’d be making 100 homemade cards and delivering meals when only a few pages later is shocked to hear that not everyone has air-conditioning in their homes.  Whether these items were embellished (ie some creative license taken?) or factual though, doesn’t take away from the book’s overall message, just pushes its believability factor a bit.

“The Ultimate Dream: A Child’s Gift-Giving Journey” has heart, soul, and a greater purpose.  Based on Jim Stovall’s “The Ultimate Gift,” mom and author Heather Chabino sets out to give her daughter an experience she will never forget – a heartwarming read.

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