The Sparrow Who Fell to the Ground

Janele Hoerner reviews a new children's book by Anthony DeStefano, a story the whole family can enjoy together.

The Sparrow Who Fell to the Ground

By Anthony DeStefano; illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

Published by Sophia Institute Press

The Sparrow Who Fell to the Ground is another wonderful children’s book by Anthony DeStefano. I believe Anthony DeStefano is an expert at bringing simple Bible verses to life for young readers. The bright colors and animal characters in the illustrations by Richard Cowdrey compliment the words written in a lyrical rhyme scheme, that is characteristic to all of Destefano’s children’s books. The Sparrow Who Fell to the Ground is the perfect square size for little hands to grasp onto and carry all over the house for toddlers through elementary-age children. This book will quickly become a beloved family favorite.  

A Surprise for Fans of Anthony DeStefano

Each of my children have grown up listening to the beloved rhyming words of Anthony Destefano, but each book truly gets better than the last. On the last few pages of this sweet story there is a wonderful surprise that made my 7-year-old gasp in delight right after I turned the page. As she recognized all of the characters that she had loved from previous books together on one page, with her new friend the sparrow, she could not wait to point in out to her sisters. This was a first for one Anthony DeStefano’s books to include the previous characters, but it was a very happy surprise.

As my 9-, 7-, and 4-year-old daughters crowded around me to read before bed, they were attentive throughout the whole book as they were left in suspense as to if the little sparrow would ever take the flight he was preparing for throughout the story.  

Anthony DeStephano’s books are not just for children, because my grandmother as well as myself have enjoyed hearing these stories while we discover how Bible verses will be brought to life. There is nothing better when a child is learning to read than to give the child a good wholesome story, and this book does just that for our children. So, no matter how many times your child or grandchild wants this book repeated, you will be assured that the words are worth repeating. 

The Sparrow Who Fell to the Ground is a book filled with morals and hope as the sparrow learns to persevere to get to the goal, which is heaven, over the mountain and horizon. He is broken and battered, yes as most of us are, but he keeps at his mission of taking flight. Little by little, moment by moment, he finally gets to the sky and makes it to his heavenly home.

May we all be filled with the hope and the joy of reaching the heavenly kingdom at the end of our lives as we prepare each day to preserve to the end, like the sparrow in this tale. In this world that bangs us up day in and day out, in our fast-paced society, it is so nice to have many wonderful reminders that we are all more beloved than any collective number of sparrows to God.  

Thank you, Anthony DeStefano for creating another wonderful and captivating children’s book that brightens up the lives of our “little ones.” The world of Catholic children’s literature would not be the same without your wonderful impact for the modern child in today’s world. Money spent of any of his wonderful books is never wasted and will lead your children on the narrow path to Christ.  

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Copyright 2026 Janele Hoerner
Images: Canva