Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Touch-and-See Bible

Yesterday I introduced you to the NLT Story Bible Series with Level 1. Today I'll tell you about Level 2: the Touch-and-See Bible, specifically designed for children ages 1-2.

This Bible storybook engages toddlers' senses by adding textures to vibrant illustrations. Seven popular Bible stories are included: creation, Noah, Moses, Ruth, the nativity, feeding of 5000, and Palm Sunday. Written by author Betsy Todt Schmitt, each story is 5-7 sentences in length. Bible references and memory verses are provided, all in the New Living Translation.

Illustrator Eileen Hine fills the pages with vivid colors and bold outlines, a clip-art-like style that kids will like.Various textures are incorporated into the illustrations such as a velvet flower; shiny metallic sun; lions' fur; satin clothing; basketweave; fuzzy blanket; bumpy, shiny fish scales; and a rough paper leaf.

What I Like: Ruth is mentioned! Not many children’s books tell her story. Also, the memory verses imply an application. For example, Ruth’s memory verse is Zechariah 7:9: “Show kindness to one another.” Finally, I really like the illustrations. They're bold and wonderfully appealing to the target age group.

What I Dislike: The text has a poor flow. The information is good, but the sentences sometimes trip over one another making it a cumbersome read. My children actually prefer to look (and touch) this book without me reading it. They don't like the storytelling.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 1-2

Publisher Info: Standard Publishing, 2004; ISBN: 0784715955; Boardbook; $9.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $7.99!
Or buy it at Amazon for $9.99.

Special Info: Some readers may object to Jesus being depicted in the illustrations. His face is shown as a newborn and again from a distance while riding the donkey into Jerusalem. The story of feeding 5000 also shows a close-up of someone's face, but the subject is not clearly identified. This could be Jesus or a picture of a disciple.

2 comments:

JenniferSaake.blogspot.com said...

What a fun blog! So glad I found you. (I have a Ruth and you are right, not many standard Bible story books share the Biblical Ruth's story.)

This may be a far reach, but just in case you know I'll ask. I'm preparing a "Writing for Publication" class for our homeschool co-op, children ages 4th-12th grades who are interested in being published. Know of any companies, contests, etc. that might work with children under the age 18?

Thanks!
Jenni Saake
www.HannahsHopeBook.com
www.InnerBeautyGirlz.blogspot.com

Tanya said...

Jenni: The Christian Writers Guild has a course for kids ages 11-18. You can get more information at http://www.christianwritersguild.com It's a bit expensive, but very good. I'm sure there are others, but this is the only I know of for this age group. Hope this helps!