My ABC Bible/My ABC Prayers

My ABC Bible/My ABC Prayers by Crystal Bowman is one of those two-for-one books. One half of the book is My ABC Bible. Turn the book upside down, and the other half is My ABC Prayers.

Bowman, along with illustrator Stacey Lamb, have taken an old idea and made it fresh. In My ABC Prayers every two-page spread features a whimsical illustration, a letter, and a five sentence "prayer." Most of these prayers are words of thanks, and most do a great job of using topics young children can relate to. Some are unexpected, too. For example, I'm not surprised to see a prayer of thanks for all of creation, or for the rain or sun. But Bowman also includes things like doctors ("Thank you, God, for DOCTORS/Who help me when I'm sick,/Who give me special medicine/So I feel better quick."). Some prayers stray away from thanks, and offer instead basic truths. For example, "O is for ONE./There's just ONE God who loves me,/There's just ONE God who cares./There's just ONE God in heaven/Who listens to my prayers."

My ABC Bible is similarly designed. Each letter of the alphabet is identified with one thing in the Bible. For example, "A is for ANIMALS" from Noah's ark, and "B is for BETHLEHEM,/Where Jesus Christ was born./See him in the manger/So cozy and warm?" Also mentioned are Joseph's coat of many colors, Daniel, Elijah, Goliath, Hannah, Isaac, Lazarus, Mary, fisherman's nets, plagues, Esther, rainbow, and more. Each is explained only briefly. For example: "R is for the pretty RAINBOW/See it up above,/Shining brightly in the sky/Showing us God's love?" and is designed to be a spring board for more conversation or reading on the topics.

What I Like: The fun, lighthearted illustrations, the introduction to prayers of thanks, and the basic biblical concepts presented in this duo.

What I Dislike: In My ABC Bible, "X is for EXCITED" isn't ideal. On the other hand, it would be pretty tough to find a word beginning with the letter X that also fits into a book about the Bible...

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: Infant to kindergarten.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2001; ISBN: 0310701600; hard back, $9.99.

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Moses in the Bulrushes

Moses in the Bulrushes, retold by Heather Amery and illustrated by Norman Young, tells the classic Bible story of baby Moses being saved from death by the Egyptians.

The book is one in a series from Usborne Publishing called the Bible Tales Readers. Written for young children and early readers, the text on the pages is set up in two parts: A short sentence at the top of the page describes what’s on the page; a longer sentence, or two sentences, at the bottom of the page, explains the idea more fully.

For instance: The sentence at the top of the first page reads: “This is baby Moses.” The sentences at the bottom of the page read: “He is just three months old. He was born in Egypt a very long time ago.”

Delightful watercolor illustrations fill each page. The pictures are true-to-life in detail and historical accuracy.

What I Like: Pretty much everything.

What I Dislike: The story of Moses being rescued by the Egyptian Princess comes from the book of Exodus. This fact is not mentioned anywhere in the book, even though these are called Bible Tales Readers.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: Ages 4 and up.

Publisher Info: Usborne Publishing Ltd, 2003; ISBN: 0746054319; Paperback: $7.86.

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Special Info: Other books in the series include: Jonah and the Whale, Easter Story, Daniel and the Lions, Christmas Story, and First Stories from the Bible.

Samuel: The Boy Who Listened

Samuel: The Boy Who Listened, is written by Carine Mackenzie with watercolor illustrations by Fred Apps. Illustrations are of biblical times with men, women and children dressed in muslin cloth, sandals, or bare feet. Hannah is grieving because she cannot have children. She prays for a son, and promises to “give him to the Lord all the days of his life.” The author leaves out the rest of this verse, “and no razor shall come upon his head.” God hears Hannah’s prayer; her son, Samuel is born, and she keeps her promise to give him back to the Lord.

The story continues, highlighting the main points in Samuel's life: He learns from the priest, Eli; he hears God’s voice; he becomes a prophet; he becomes a judge in Israel; Samuel talks to Saul; he chooses David to be King; Samuel’s death. It does not say how Samuel died, only that, "Samuel loved and served God from his earliest years until his death."

What I Like: Most everything. The story is in harmony with the scriptures. There were several important verses left out of this 32 page book, but the author does not quote verses, she gives an outline of Samuel's life.

What I Dislike: Nothing. Great for Sunday School class.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Overall Rating: Good

Publishing Info: Christian Focus Publications; 1996 ; ISBN1-85792199-2

Special Info: See more books written by Carine Mackenzie

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Will: God's Mighty Warrior

Will: God's Mighty Warrior is written by Sheila Walsh, author of Gigi: God's Little Princess. Gigi has been filling Christian bookstores for a while. She even has her own Bible! Now, she has a worthy male counterpart.

Will is an adventurous boy with a mission. He is a warrior purposed to defend the weak (his baby sister, Lola) and right all wrongs. He and his best friend, Josh, work diligently each day from their fort in the back yard.

One night before bed, Will's dad reads to him about a different kind of battle, a very real battle between good and evil. Will is thrilled to learn God has armor for His children to wear. This sparks a new mission for Will and Josh. They spend the next few days searching for God's armor and learning how to use it. "It's invisible? How does God's armor work if I can't even see it?" Through clever questions and full imaginations, this story leads readers on an adventure learning how to do battle God's way.

Meredith Johnson illustrates the book with delightful, expressive characters and her classic monochromatic style. Gigi was in shades of black and pink. Will is in blue.

What I Like: There are plenty of Christian books geared toward girls, but not so many specifically for boys. This is great one! It very clearly explains the armor of God described in Ephesians 6 - in a way kids can understand. It's fantastic. I also love the illustrations. The author does a wonderful job creating fun, believable characters and the illustrator brings those wildly to life. This book is not just for boys, either. My 3-year-old daughter loves it, too!

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2006; ISBN: 1400308054; Hardback; $12.99

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Additional Info: See our reviews of other Sheila Walsh books.