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One Little Match
A new, illustrated picture book with an invaluable lesson for children. Thomas S. Monson told the story about his time as a young boy spending the summer
at his family's cabin in Vivian Park. He and his best friend, Danny,
decided to clear a field so they could gather with their friends and have a
campfire. The tall, stubborn weeds would not pull out easily. So Tommy
had the idea of using one little match to burn the weeds. He knew he
shouldn't use matches without permission from his parents. But he ignored
the prompting warning him of the danger and set the parched June
grass ablaze. The consequence of his disobedience nearly endangered the
entire forest and almost burned down neighboring cabins.
I learned several difficult but important lessons that day. Perhaps the biggest
lesson was the need for obedience. Rules and laws are created to keep us safe.
When we obey those rules, we can avoid the dangers that can come from something
as small as one little match.
at his family's cabin in Vivian Park. He and his best friend, Danny,
decided to clear a field so they could gather with their friends and have a
campfire. The tall, stubborn weeds would not pull out easily. So Tommy
had the idea of using one little match to burn the weeds. He knew he
shouldn't use matches without permission from his parents. But he ignored
the prompting warning him of the danger and set the parched June
grass ablaze. The consequence of his disobedience nearly endangered the
entire forest and almost burned down neighboring cabins.
I learned several difficult but important lessons that day. Perhaps the biggest
lesson was the need for obedience. Rules and laws are created to keep us safe.
When we obey those rules, we can avoid the dangers that can come from something
as small as one little match.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2014
1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Thomas S. Monson
51Ìýbooks167ÌýfollowersThomas S. Monson served as the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called the "Mormon Church" or "LDS Church") from 2008 to his death in 2018. Before his time as President, he had served as a Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church since 1985. He was ordained an Apostle and called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1963 at the unusually young age of 36.
Monson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. After serving in the US Navy and earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, he married Frances Johnson and they had three children. Monson worked in the local news publishing industry until church service became a full-time occupation.
Monson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. After serving in the US Navy and earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, he married Frances Johnson and they had three children. Monson worked in the local news publishing industry until church service became a full-time occupation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 30, 2014
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We were at General Conference last April when President Monson told this story. ÌýIt was the highlight of the trip and a story we have retold a couple times since then.
I sat down this morning to read this book to my 8 year old. ÌýI didn't tell her the title but just started reading. ÌýWe were half way through when she looked at me with a huge smile and asked if is this was about President Monson. I think more than anything she was amazed by the fact that President Monson was the same age she is when this story occurred. ÌýShe thought it was pretty cool that he wasn't perfect and made mistakes too.
Beautiful illustrations brought this wonderful story to life. ÌýThis is a great picture book that teaches the importance of obedience. ÌýRecommended to all.
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Rating: 5 Stars - I loved it.
Source: Review copy
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March 4, 2014
There are two things that really struck me about this book.
First of all, the illustrations are incredible. It's about two little boys who are enjoying their summer holidays in a cabin with everything a little boy could ever want---fishing, running through fields, collecting treasures. The pictures of them are good enough to be framed. I loved them!
The second thing was the message of the story. I loved reading it to my children because the story was so relatable (and my kids loved the pictures as much as I did!). We were also able to talk about how seemingly small decisions can have very real consequences for not just the person, but everyone around them. I also was able to start a conversation on how rules are in place to protect us, not limit us.
This is a great story for all ages, really, and is one our family will treasure. Especially with all the boys I have in my family!
Originally reviewed on
First of all, the illustrations are incredible. It's about two little boys who are enjoying their summer holidays in a cabin with everything a little boy could ever want---fishing, running through fields, collecting treasures. The pictures of them are good enough to be framed. I loved them!
The second thing was the message of the story. I loved reading it to my children because the story was so relatable (and my kids loved the pictures as much as I did!). We were also able to talk about how seemingly small decisions can have very real consequences for not just the person, but everyone around them. I also was able to start a conversation on how rules are in place to protect us, not limit us.
This is a great story for all ages, really, and is one our family will treasure. Especially with all the boys I have in my family!
Originally reviewed on
March 4, 2014
I remember listening to this story in General Conference and thinking of how many life experiences President Monson has had. Even the stories where he makes mistakes are such a great learning experience and have such great messages for me to pull out of them. This one is no exception. This story gives me hope. Every one of us can learn from our mistakes and set our course on the straight path because of them. I read this one with my two youngest kids and even they remembered the story from Conference.
The pictures are amazing and beautiful! I love the way they portray the story so well--it's one my kids have asked to read over and over again.
The final message is one that has stuck with me: You have no idea what will result from one little seemingly harmless decision. It's so important to remain obedient and to receive those blessings from doing so.
The pictures are amazing and beautiful! I love the way they portray the story so well--it's one my kids have asked to read over and over again.
The final message is one that has stuck with me: You have no idea what will result from one little seemingly harmless decision. It's so important to remain obedient and to receive those blessings from doing so.
July 27, 2014
President Monson shares an experience from his childhood. The illustrations are beautiful and there is a really important moral to the story. Loved it! I even got an autograph copy. High kicks!
July 22, 2017
This was a story from the early youth of our prophet. He was willing to share something he did wrong as a boy. This will be a good book to give to my grandson. It is well illustrated.
March 14, 2014
A true story, Thomas Monson shares his experience one summer at the family cabin in Utah's Vivian Park. ÌýOne day, while exploring the mountains fishing, hiking and exploring with his best friend Danny, they have a great idea. ÌýThey are going to have a camp fire. ÌýIn order to have a place big enough for everyone to gather, they needed to clear the weeds. ÌýThe enthusiasm for weed pulling ends quickly and an idea for a faster way is needed. ÌýTommy remembers the matches. ÌýAgainst all safety warnings his parents teach him, he sneaks away one tiny match with the plan to start a little fire, that he can easily put out when needed.
Obviously the fire spreads much faster and larger than they expected, and lots of help was needed to put it out.
A lesson that rules are there to keep us safe, every aged reader will appreciate the story. ÌýWhat an important lesson to teach our kids. ÌýI have had to re learn this a few times, even as an adult. ÌýI appreciate the reminder, and love reading this with my kids. ÌýThe illustrations are as beautiful as the words.
Obviously the fire spreads much faster and larger than they expected, and lots of help was needed to put it out.
A lesson that rules are there to keep us safe, every aged reader will appreciate the story. ÌýWhat an important lesson to teach our kids. ÌýI have had to re learn this a few times, even as an adult. ÌýI appreciate the reminder, and love reading this with my kids. ÌýThe illustrations are as beautiful as the words.
March 13, 2014
One of the things we most love about President Thomas S. Monson is his willingness to beautifully share personal experiences with us.
Here he tells us of a time when as a little boy he made a poor decision.
In his mind he thought it would work out so perfectly.
Just use one little match to burn the weeds that would take forever to pull by hand.
He thought that it would somehow just go out when the circle was big enough for his friends to have a campfire.
But in reality it was not the best of plans.
He knew he was doing a wrong by using the match.
Now so many years later he easily could have kept this part of his life from us.
Instead he shares with us to teach us the lesson of obedience.
"Rules and laws are created to keep us safe."
Beautifully told!
Beautifully illustrated!
A book for the whole family!
Here he tells us of a time when as a little boy he made a poor decision.
In his mind he thought it would work out so perfectly.
Just use one little match to burn the weeds that would take forever to pull by hand.
He thought that it would somehow just go out when the circle was big enough for his friends to have a campfire.
But in reality it was not the best of plans.
He knew he was doing a wrong by using the match.
Now so many years later he easily could have kept this part of his life from us.
Instead he shares with us to teach us the lesson of obedience.
"Rules and laws are created to keep us safe."
Beautifully told!
Beautifully illustrated!
A book for the whole family!
March 15, 2014
Oh, I love this little book! Everyone loved the story President Monson told at the last General Conference about this boyhood experience. I'm so happy that it has been put together with these beautiful pictures to create a visual experience for the whole family.
When mine came in the mail, I immediately read it. How could I not? I set it on the coffee table and everyone in my family picked it up as they walked by and read it. :) That is happy.
This is the perfect book. It's straight from the prophet's mouth and the illustrations combined with the words are really just beautiful. It teaches an important lesson about obedience and reminds us all that obedience keeps us safe. This book is a treasure to me and will be well used for many years to come.
When mine came in the mail, I immediately read it. How could I not? I set it on the coffee table and everyone in my family picked it up as they walked by and read it. :) That is happy.
This is the perfect book. It's straight from the prophet's mouth and the illustrations combined with the words are really just beautiful. It teaches an important lesson about obedience and reminds us all that obedience keeps us safe. This book is a treasure to me and will be well used for many years to come.
May 11, 2015
I read this book aloud to my children last night, only to find out they had already picked it off my bookshelf and read it on their own. Drawn by the idea of a match, no doubt! They quickly learned why playing with matches is a bad idea and that even a Prophet of the Lord was drawn to play with matches as a little boy.
But more importantly, they caught the message to listen to the warnings, the whisperings in your heart that try to stop us from making a choice with grave consequences.
Filled with beautiful, vivid and life like illustrations, One Little Match has a great moral message and a happy ending. Dan Burr crafted some masterpieces with the faces on little Tommy and his friend Dan. Short, sweet, to the point…this a great family lesson tool.
But more importantly, they caught the message to listen to the warnings, the whisperings in your heart that try to stop us from making a choice with grave consequences.
Filled with beautiful, vivid and life like illustrations, One Little Match has a great moral message and a happy ending. Dan Burr crafted some masterpieces with the faces on little Tommy and his friend Dan. Short, sweet, to the point…this a great family lesson tool.
August 6, 2014
This books gets a high rating for 4 reasons, 1) a good story by a good storyteller, 2) A man I consider to be a wise man 3) a man I consider to be a Prophet of God and 4) the Illustrations .
From a religious stand point this story is told by Thomas S. Monson, Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Mormons) It is a good book for children about obedience. It is a true story and therefore even more poignant. If you heard him tell this story live and then look at the expression on his penitent 80 something year old face, you can't help put find this book endearing.
You don't have to be a Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) to appreciate this book!
From a religious stand point this story is told by Thomas S. Monson, Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (Mormons) It is a good book for children about obedience. It is a true story and therefore even more poignant. If you heard him tell this story live and then look at the expression on his penitent 80 something year old face, you can't help put find this book endearing.
You don't have to be a Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) to appreciate this book!
March 3, 2014
Tommy and his best friend, Danny, loved spending the summer together. They had many adventures and a great love for the outdoors.
This book discusses how they made one little decision that ended up becoming a disaster. It discusses how when you disobey, bad things can happen. There are always consequences to a decision.
The illustrations are beautiful. They are a perfect compliment to the story.
This book discusses how they made one little decision that ended up becoming a disaster. It discusses how when you disobey, bad things can happen. There are always consequences to a decision.
The illustrations are beautiful. They are a perfect compliment to the story.
March 4, 2014
This story is delightful and at the same time inspirational as we learn of a powerful lesson in obedience that Thomas gained at a young age.
The illustrations are perfect for the story with detail to bring it to life and keep the lesson imprinted in your children's minds. I read this book to my kids age 10, 8, 5, and 3 and each of them enjoyed it. I recommend this as a great gift book, supplement to use as a lesson for Family night, and just for fun as you re-read the story again.
The illustrations are perfect for the story with detail to bring it to life and keep the lesson imprinted in your children's minds. I read this book to my kids age 10, 8, 5, and 3 and each of them enjoyed it. I recommend this as a great gift book, supplement to use as a lesson for Family night, and just for fun as you re-read the story again.
March 14, 2014
I loved this beautiful book! The illustrations are gorgeous and help tell the story very well. And the author tells the story in his typical straightforward and simple way. This is a powerful story about the need for rules and laws and what can happen when we ignore them. Tommy makes one seemingly small decision and it had disastrous results. It's a reminder that the choices we make do have consequences that we generally can't control. Highly recommended.
February 10, 2015
I really liked this book. The art work is beautiful and looks really soft. Although, it is a crazy story about a prophet as a child, I think it teaches children a good message. The book teaches that rules are implemented for a reason. Tommy learns that he should listen to the rules even though he might not understand why the rules are there. This book would be a good book to teach children about obedience.
August 13, 2016
I like that President Monson is willing to share stories of his childhood where he is hardly the hero in General Conference. His words are so simple and straightforward that a children's picture book can be created so small children can learn the lessons of their prophet.
I am glad I added this one to our library. I plan to reread this to my son.
I am glad I added this one to our library. I plan to reread this to my son.
March 25, 2014
I loved this book. It told a story of a very valuable lesson of being obedient. I remember when President Monson told this story in General Conference, his facial expressions added to the story. A very delightful and insightful story everyone should read.
June 4, 2014
When the prophet told this story in conference it made me feel do much better about the small annoying things my kids do. I can say that they have never caused a raging fire...yet.
the illustrations in the book make the story jump off the page and come to life.
the illustrations in the book make the story jump off the page and come to life.
August 12, 2017
The story just kind of ended without a fully devolved resolution. Story hints at the principal of obedience but it doesn't go into depth and leaves everything at surface level. Love Thomas S Monson, didn't really enjoy the way in which the author of this book presented the story.
March 26, 2017
I loved the illustrations in the book. The story shows how just one small decision can have huge consequences. Always best to be obedient. The story is great and I remember first hearing it in General Conference.
September 6, 2016
Great lesson. I love this story.
July 16, 2014
Anything by president Monson is fun. I will never forget the look he had on his face while telling this story in conference. It was so funny.
March 13, 2014
Gorgeously illustrated book of the story the President Monson shared in April 2013.
November 6, 2016
every time i think of this story i picture president monson's face and the look he gave when telling about how he thought the fire would magically disappear... hahaha!
May 6, 2014
What a fun picture book of President Monson's story. I love that he tells a story that we can all relate to along with a lesson we can all apply to our lives.
June 20, 2014
The illustrations are gorgeous, and the lesson is a good one for children. Playing with matches is NOT a good idea!
November 16, 2014
Eh, the talk was better.
September 9, 2016
Sweet little book from a great conference talk from Pres. Monson.
August 11, 2017
This book tells of the consequences of disobedience. Tommy and his friend are spending the summer at their families' cabins up in the mountains. They want to clear a circle in the tall grass so they can have a campfire. When clearing the grass by hand proves to take forever, Tommy ignores the warnings his parents taught him about fire safety and gets a match to clear the grass quickly. The blaze gets out of control and threatens the landscape until the adults are able to put it out.
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"I learned several difficult but important lessons that day. Perhaps the biggest lesson was the need for obedience. Rules and laws are created to keep us safe. When we obey those rules, we can avoid the dangers that can come from something as small as one little match."
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The author is the little boy from the story. This event actually occurred. This is a gentle way to teach children the importance of obedience.
�
"I learned several difficult but important lessons that day. Perhaps the biggest lesson was the need for obedience. Rules and laws are created to keep us safe. When we obey those rules, we can avoid the dangers that can come from something as small as one little match."
�
The author is the little boy from the story. This event actually occurred. This is a gentle way to teach children the importance of obedience.
December 22, 2018
One of his best conference talks and this book shows it even more simply why rules are important to follow.
September 9, 2024
I love how this straightforward story shows us why to mind our parents, why not to play with fire, and how little things can bring big problems.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
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