David and Goliath: A Story About Courage

David and Goliath: A Story About Courage offers several learning approaches all in one package. Targeted for early readers, this die-cut boardbook uses simple language to tell the famous Old Testament story.

The included DVD enhances the learning experience through games, activities, music and videos. These teach word recognition, vocabulary, reading comprehension, decision-making skills, proper pronunciation and Scripture memorization.

The book and DVD are both illustrated with the bold outline drawings and plenty of vivid colors. The characters are cartoon-like, but not too cutesy.

What I Like:The story is biblically accurate. The illustrations are great! I love the bold style and inviting colors. Having two preschoolers, I greatly appreciate the publisher's seamless ability to combine Scripture with early reading skills. My kids love the music videos.

What I Dislike: The book claims to have 100+ interactive activities. This is a bit of a stretch. In reality, there are about 9 different activities with various modes or levels within them. All of them are great, but the advertisement of over 100 things you can do seems misleading.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 3-8

Publisher Info: Ideals Children's Books, 2006; ISBN: 0824966597; Boardbook; $14.95

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Special Info: See our review of Adam and Eve: A Story About Making Right Choices, another book in the I Can Read the Bible! series.

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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