I don’t think I’ve written a book review since high school and it’s really not my thing, BUT my children received this treasure for Christmas and I just can’t keep silent about it any longer . . .
The Jesus Storybook Bible is not your typical children’s Bible. If you’re looking for something fairly literal, factual and unimaginative, then this book isn’t for you. But if you’re looking for a Bible that helps your child understand God’s Great Plan and how the stories of the Old Testament are really all about Jesus and how much God loves each and every one of His children with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love (quote from the Jesus Storybook Bible) then you will love this book every bit as much my children and I do. Like I said, we received this for Christmas, and we have already read it cover to cover. My daughter (5) can’t get enough of this book!
I don’t know about you, but it wasn’t until I was in college that I started to more fully understand the bigger picture of the progress of redemption throughout the Bible – how themes in the Old Testament related to the New Testament and to Jesus – how the Bible all ‘fit together’ so-to-speak. The Jesus Storybook Bible does a fantastic job of making these themes crystal clear – and in a way that captivates such a young audience.
The author, Sally Lloyd-Jones, admittedly takes artistic license with details that are not found in Scripture – especially with dialogue. For example, in the story of the Tower of Babel, to describe what it could have been like to have all their languages mixed up, she says, “Someone would say ‘How do you do?’ and the other person thought they said, ‘How ugly are you!'” Similarly, when God asks Abraham how many stars are in the sky, she depicts Abraham rolling up his sleeves to actually start counting them, then losing track and having to start all over again until he finally exclaims, “Too many!”
The Jesus Storybook Bible is written in fairy-tale fashion with Jesus – the Great Rescuer – at the center of every story. Like the subtitle says, Every story whispers his name. This book is fabulously written and beautifully illustrated. Personally, I think it’s a terrific companion to a more traditional children’s Bible (ie. not necessarily a replacement).
Jorja (5) came in while I was typing this, so I thought I’d ask her what she likes about this Bible and here is her response:
“I like the shiny red letters on the front because they shimmer in the sunlight. The pages are colored nicely and beautiful. I like it so much that I want to read another story from the Bible.” 🙂
the learning house 