Adam and Eve: A Story About Making Right Choices

Part of the "I Can Read the Bible!" series, Adam and Eve: A Story About Making Right Choices is a board book that crossed many age groups. With it's bright colors and bold illustrations, the book is perfect for infants, and the DVD, which accompanies the book, is filled with activities for early readers.

The creators offer an easy-to-comprehend version of this very important Bible story, one that is often overlooked in children's books. Instead of focusing on creation and all the different plants and animals, this book emphasizes the choice Adam and Eve made to listen to the serpent (depicted as a snake in this book) instead of obeying God. A cute little monkey follows Adam and Eve through the garden and clearly identifies for children when the wrong choice was made.

The DVD which accompanies the book contains more than 100 activities including an animated version of the book, games, vocabulary builders, Bible verses and a musical version of the story, in karaoke style, encouraging kids to make right choices.

What I Like: The illustrations are fantastic. Similar to stained glass, the feature bold outlines and vivid colors. Also, the text is large and clear, perfect for early readers. My kids love this book with or without the DVD. The story is told in a clear fashion. I really like the emphasis on choices. The book highlights the fall of man as being a decision made by Adam and Eve rather than a heartless surprise punishment. The book does a wonderful job explaining consequences being directly related to choices we make.

What I Dislike: The story repeatedly states the consequences of eating the forbidden fruit as: "have to leave this garden." That's not what God said; it's not what Scripture says. I understand children's books don't like to talk about death, but I feel this is a key element in Christian doctrine and faith. Simply "leaving the garden" does not identify the spiritual death of humanity, nor does it create a need for Christ to redeem sinners on the cross. Some clarification by parents may be necessary.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 3-8, though my 18 month old loves it.

Publishing Info: Candy Cane Press, 2006; ISBN: 0824966600; board book & DVD; $14.95

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