Elijah and King Ahab (I Can Read! / Bible Stories)

Because of its easy-to-read format, beginning readers may enjoy author Crystal Bowman’s book Elijah and King Ahab, an Old Testament account about Elijah challenging King Ahab and the priests of Baal to a contest. Bowman tells the story using short, simple sentences, familiar and/or easily decodable words, and detailed illustrations (done by Valerie Sokolova).

The story starts simply enough: “Elijah was a man who loved God.” The readers then follow Elijah as he confronts King Ahab about the local drought. (After three years without rain, Elijah is ready to end any question about the reality of God and who is in control.) King Ahab’s priests take on Elijah head to head; each build an altar, provide a sacrifice, and pray for their god (Baal vs. God) to light the wood. Ultimately, despite soaking the altar in buckets of water, God wins in a spectacular, fiery, leave-no-doubt fashion.

The story ends with the people acknowledging God for who He is, and God finally sending rain to the land.

The book also provides a direct Scripture quote to go with the story: “If the Lord is the one and only God, follow him.” 1 Kings18:21 NIrV

What I Like: The book closely resembles many mainstream I Can Read books in both format (including size of cover) and complexity of text. The larger font size makes it easier for young readers to track individual words. The illustrations were pleasant and realistic in nature (although I didn’t expect Elijah to look so clean and chipper!). It's also reasonably priced.

What I Dislike: The beginning of the story seemed a little abrupt to me. If children are not very familiar with the showdown on Mount Carmel, parents may want to read the actual Scripture passage to them to help build background knowledge prior to reading. (For example, the story does not mention that Elijah was a prophet, nor the conditions that lead to the drought in the first place.)

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: Ages 4 and up

Publisher Info: ZonderKidz, 2012; ISBN:978-0310726753; Paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99
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Special Info: Read other CCBR reviews of books written by Crystal Bowman. Check out other books in the series: Joshua Crosses the Jordan, Jesus Raises Lazarus, and Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand.