‘Love your enemies’: Kirk Cameron prepares to walk the talk with new children’s book

Kirk Cameron has written a new children’s book about loving your enemies, and he’s prepared to practice what he preaches.

“The Fox, The Fair, and the Invention Scare,” Mr. Cameron’s third release with conservative publisher Brave Books, tells the story of a fox and a giraffe who overcome the animosity of their families to become friends.

“It’s a great little story for kids to learn what it means to turn the other cheek, to go the extra mile, to do good to those who hate you, and love those with whom you’ve been fighting,” Mr. Cameron, the Christian actor and author, told The Washington Times.

As he leafed through the finished product, however, Mr. Cameron said he was struck by the conviction that “I can do better in my own life” by reaching out to his own enemies — in this case, those on the left who decry his faith-based values.

“I’m in the process, as a conservative Christian traditional-values guy, of inviting leftists, progressives, atheists and drag queens to sit down and have lunch with me so that we can have a civil conversation,” Mr. Cameron said.

Such discussions would include “family values, morals for children, what kinds of stories ought to be read as part of their education,” hoping that “maybe we can learn from each other, that we can find some common ground, and maybe even work together to solve important problems.”

He added: “I’m hoping that I’ll have some takers. This really is turning over a new leaf for me.”

Certainly Mr. Cameron has his share of detractors.

He and Brave Books launched a nationwide tour last year to read his Christian-themed children’s books at public libraries in reaction to the wave of Drag Queen Story Hours sponsored by public libraries.

“I have a lot of people who don’t like me,” he said. “I have people who are enemies of what I believe, and some show up and protest and say really nasty, horrible things on social media about me, and I need to practice what I’m preaching in this book.”

His appearances, which typically draw overflow crowds, have evolved into patriotic gatherings that include the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the national anthem, and extolling traditional values, making him a ripe target for critics on the left.

The former teen star of ABC’s “Growing Pains” has been accused of promoting “Christian hate” and being “queerphobic,” while he has warned parents about the dangers of the gender-identity movement’s “corrupt cult.”

If he’s going to teach children about embracing their enemies, Mr. Cameron said he needs to walk the talk.

He quoted Matthew 5:43-45, where Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said, love your neighbor and hate your enemies, but I say to you, love your enemies and do good to those who hate you.”

With all the conflict in global and domestic affairs, “we can teach our children something that’s timeless and proven that will give them hope in the future. That’s my view.”

Our world is at war, literally. And all along, our children are watching, trying to make sense of things. If we can show them something different, if we can show them that we’re really all brothers, we can give them hope.https://t.co/NZDY1BP9fm

— Kirk Cameron (@KirkCameron) October 23, 2023

His library readings often draw protesters, but he has no intention of stopping, calling the events “the most loving things I could be doing in this space.”

“We’re coming together not to argue with anybody, but invite everybody as we sing and give thanks and read stories about humility and love and loving your enemies,” he said.

“If there are enemies of those kinds of values, I want to talk with them and I want to see if we might be able to transform our animosity into friendship,” he said.

His latest book was released Monday. Mr. Cameron’s previous Brave illustrated children’s books are “As You Grow” and “Pride Comes Before the Fall.”

Those who enroll in Brave’s Book of the Month Club will get his newest book free.

“I think it’s really timely,” Mr. Cameron said. “I think that parents are going to love reading this to their kids.”