Play and Learn Bible Stories: Noah's Ark Wipe-Clean Storybook

Play and Learn Bible Stories: Noah’s Ark Wipe-Clean Storybook by Shiloh Kidz, is an interactive storybook about Noah and the ark. Each text page includes some type of activity that goes along with the story segment on that page.

Most of the activities are sticker-related, with over 100 bright stickers to paste in various places throughout the book. The text pages are numbered, and the stickers are grouped according to corresponding page numbers, making them easy to locate. There are also some tracing activities scattered throughout the pages. The tracing can be done with any type of dry erase marker (not included). The activities can be repeated again and again, as the stickers are reusable and the pages can be wiped clean.

What I Like: Just about everything. The pages are bright and colorful, the activities are kid-friendly, and the activities can be repeated.

What I Dislike: The book is supposed to be for ages 3+. The activities will be fun for all, but the language used in the text is not what I would consider kid-friendly for this type of activity book. Youngsters will enjoy the bright pages and the activities, but most of them will have trouble with the language level used to tell the story.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: The book is listed for ages 3+, but I think an appropriate age group would be about 3-8.

Publisher Info: Shiloh Kidz, 2015; ISBN: 9781630588946; Paperback, $6.99.

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Meet the Leapers

Meet the Leapers by Jennifer Gordon is the story of a frog family who live in the Soon Forgotten Pond. One day and angel visits the Daddy Frog and tells him to get his family to the largest lily pad in the pond in order to save them from the great storm God is sending.  Daddy Frog is told to encourage the other creatures to change their ways before the great storm comes. Sadly, no one listens to him. However, because the frog family obeys God, they are safe.

What I Like: I always look for how illustrations match up with the actual text of a book. Having a non reader, I know that he will connect with a book based on the pictures he sees. Scott R. Strub did a fantastic job connecting the text to the illustrations. Not only do they complement the story on each page, but the text is tastefully applied to the page. It is never put in an area that will make it difficult to read.

What I Dislike: I thought the attempt at making this story an adaptation of the account of Noah's Ark was a bit of a stretch.

Overall Rating: Very good

Age Appeal: 4-8-year-olds

Publisher Info: Jennifer Gordon, 2013; ISBN: 978-1-62890-413-0; paperback, 22 pgs., $8.95

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The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for LIttle Ones

For Berenstain Bears lovers everywhere comes a storybook Bible for toddlers. The thick-covered The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible for Little Ones, by Jan and Mike Berenstain, is a sturdy board book that highlights eight stories from the Bible: Creation, Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, The Birth of Jesus, The Good Samaritan, Palm Sunday, and the Resurrection. In true bear fashion, all the characters are portrayed as bears, including Jesus.

What I Like: I love the Berenstain Bears, so of course this book appeals to me. Seeing Biblical characters in bear-form is interesting.

 What I Dislike: For me, there is a disconnect between the format and the text. The text is geared for preschoolers through age 8, but boardbooks are typically intended for the toddler age group. In addition, some of the stories had major gaps; however, parents willing to expand on the story can easily fill in the missing details.

 Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: ages 4-8

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2015; ISBN: 978-0310749417; Boardbook or Kindle, 30 pgs., $9.99

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My Big Bright Bible Board Book

If you want to introduce your baby or toddler to some favorite stories from the Bible, Christina Goodings’ book My Big Bright Bible Board Book may be just what you are looking for. Built with a thick, soft cover and sturdy pages, the book covers stories of creation, Noah, Baby Moses, David and Goliath, Jonah, Baby Jesus, Jesus and the Children, Lost Sheep, and the resurrection. Stories are told over a two-page spread using generally only six lines of text. Each tale is accompanied by simple, bright illustrations done by Stephen Barker. The pictures are cute, and will appeal to young kids with their easily recognizable, child-friendly figures. All people in the book appear fair-skinned.

What I Like: I think this book will appeal to its intended target audience. It seems solid, the pictures aren’t too busy but still catch the eye, and the text is simple enough for the short attention span of a baby or toddler. This author also has a wide variety of other books for this age group, so if your youngster enjoys this book, you can easily find another similar book to expand your household library.

What I Dislike: If you are wanting the “full picture” of a Bible story, you won’t find it here. Due to their brevity, the stories have many informational gaps. That means a child who is unfamiliar with the Bible story will likely have many questions. Of all the stories, I think “The Way to Heaven” will be the most likely to cause confusion. As long as parents are ready to fill in the holes, they can still use this book as a springboard for discussion or introduction to a Bible story.

Overall Rating: Good, although sturdiness is very good.

Age Appeal: Infant to toddler.

Publisher Info: Lion Hudson, 2014; ISBN:978-0745965253 ; Board Book, 10 pgs., $9.99

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Special Info: Check out CCBR reviews of other books by this author. You may also enjoy looking at these books by this author: My Little Bible Boardbook, My Look and Point Story of Jesus Stick-a-Story Book,My Look and Point Story of Jesus Stick-a-Story Book,My Look and Point First Christmas Stick-a-Story Book, Bible Stories for Girls, My Look and Point In the Beginning Stick-a-Story Book, Guess Who? Noah's Ark: A Flip-the-Flap Book, Hands-On Bible Craft Book, The Lion Book of Prayers for Me, My Very Best Bible Stories, or Bible and Prayers for Teddy and Me, just to name a few!

Enoch Walked With God

Enoch. No, that's not a punch line to a knock-knock joke... it's the name of a man who lived before the flood and Noah's ark. He was one of the few men in the Bible who did not see death. Instead, he was taken directly to heaven by God.

The book Enoch Walked With God by Larry Hunt speculates on the life of this man and the manner in which his devotion to God manifested itself.  The book begins by quoting the three lines of Scripture that mention Enoch. Then, though not described in the Bible, the book paints a picture of a gentle, peaceful Enoch who played with children, showed kindness, planted seeds and harvested a field for a widow, and spoke with wisdom.

 The book is written in rhyme and capped off with the title words as a refrain. The meter is even and well constructed, giving it a gentle, sing-song feel. The text is large-sized with only a few lines per page. Illustrations are done in a two page spread. These are quite simple in presentation, and slightly cartoonish in look for some of the characters. Though they hold few details, the colors are bright.

What I Like: The rhyme in this book works, which is refreshing. The repeated refrain will appeal to younger readers, who can anticipate (and recite!) the words. And, though plain, the illustrations work fairly well to complement the text.

What I Dislike: As I mentioned, much of what is described as Enoch's life in this book is speculative. However, because the book holds no historical background information or author explanation for how Enoch's actions were discerned, it reads as fact. In other words, one could easily believe that playing with children, plowing widow's fields, and so on came directly from Scripture... and they don't. So, while I liked the idea of the story and appreciated the construction of the poetic elements, I wish that the speculative aspect would have been made clear.

Overall Rating: Good. However, had the author clarified where his ideas came from, I probably would have ranked it as very good. In other words, if you are a parent willing to take a moment prior to reading the book to explain to your child how you think the author likely developed his ideas, I think it's worth looking at.

Age Appeal: None is given, but I recommend younger ages, likely the preschool- kindergarten crowd.

Publisher Info: Eastern Gate Press, 2014; ISBN: 978-0615850559; Paperback and Kindle, 38 pgs., $9.00

This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy the paperback at Amazon.com for $10.79  or the Kindle version for $2.99.

Bob Hartman's More Bible Tales: The Unauthorized Version

Bob Hartman's More Bible Tales: The Unauthorized Version, written and illustrated by Bob Hartman is the third book in the author’s series of Bible tales. This one is a collection of Bible stories told from unusual perspectives. For instance, the story of Noah’s ark is told from the perspective of Noah’s dog, and the story of Judas is told by his nephew.

The word “unauthorized” in the title refers to the opposite of the word “authorized” or “official”. These are stories that are told from the point of view of someone (or something) that is not mentioned in the Bible.

As can be expected from such a collection of stories, there is humor involved. As the author says in the Introduction to the book, “I tried to tell the stories in a way that would be true to the original, but also in a way that would bring out the humour in them.”

The pencil sketched illustrations are cartoonish in nature, but they are very expressive and work well with the text.

What I Like: I like reading stories like this, being able to hear a well-known story from a different character’s point of view. It provides a whole new perspective to the story

What I Dislike: Having said that, some readers might see these stories as being irreverent. I don’t believe that is the author’s intention, but you might feel otherwise.

I had read one of Hartman’s earlier books in the series, Bob Hartman’s Old Testament Tales, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I liked most of the stories in this edition, too, but not all of them. The one about Noah was told from the point of view of Noah’s dog. That’s not a problem. But, according to the dog, the ark hadn’t even been built yet (the story took place before the building began), but at the end of the story, the dog gets on the boat. How could he do that if the boat hadn’t been built yet? Little inconsistencies like that in a story bother me.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: Ages 8 and up.

Publisher Info: Lion Children’s Books, 2013; ISBN: 9780745964355; Paperback, 95 pages, $8.99.

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Amazon Kindle Version - $6.83.

 

Special Info: The book was published in England so the text reflects the British way of spelling and speaking. For instance, “humor” is spelled “humour” and “Mom” is known as “Mum.”

Read our reviews of other books written and illustrated by Bob Hartman.

Giraffes on a Cruise

Giraffes on a Cruise by Marilyn Schuler is one of four books in the Animals of the Bible series. This series looks at Bible accounts from the perspective of the animal that may have been a part of the event.  What a great concept!

Giraffes on a Cruise looks at the account of Noah's Ark from the perspective of the two giraffes, Jared and Pace, who "were on the ark." We are able to watch their story from the moment these two giraffes see the Ark until they come off the Ark.

I found it to be an entertaining way to approach Noah's Ark with my children. They have both heard the account of the Ark, so this was a fun way to look at the account again. My son loved the pictures, especially since giraffe was one of the first animal names for him to say. My daughter, an animal lover, was captivated because she wanted to know what the trip on the Ark was like for the animals.

The illustrations are beautifully done. On each two page layout, one page has a full page illustration, while the other page has a matching background color with minimal complimentary illustrations to keep the words as the focus.

One bonus of this book is the free audio download that it includes. By following the simple directions on the back of the page, you can download the audio file to your computer and then transfer it to the device of your choice. Perfect when you are on the go!

What I Like: As a mom, my favorite aspect of this book was the underlying lesson the author was conveying throughout the story- we need to listen to God. This is a lesson that as parents we are trying to teach our children daily, and this book is a great little supplement to those lessons.

The author signed the copy we were given and added Proverbs 1:33 to her message. "Whoever listens to God will live in safety." It is a perfect verse to share with children during the reading of this book.

What I Dislike: This is not something that I dislike, per say, but I thought you should be aware of. The book is rather small. However, the price also includes the audio download, so if you think about it, you are getting 2 books for the price of one.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 3-8 years old

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing, 2014; ISBN: 978-1-62902-885-9 ; paperback, 24 pgs., $8.99


Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.39

The Enduring Ark

The Enduring Ark, written by Joydeb Chitrakar, is the “Indian version of the biblical tale of the great flood,” as the book’s blurb says. The text follows the biblical story of Noah and the Ark, with some notable exceptions: Noah’s wife is called Na’mah. Her name does not appear in the Bible, but according to Jewish tradition, her name was Naamah. Also, there is no mention of the rest of Noah’s family. And this account does not say anything about the rest of the people on earth who first taunted Noah for making the ark and then begged to be let in after the waters rose up in the flood.

This is one of the most unusual books I have ever read, not because of its contents but because of the way it is put together. It is somewhat like a cross between a board book and a pop-up book, but it’s really neither one. The pages are stiff, like a board book, and they fold out, somewhat like a pop-up book, but nothing actually pops up. Instead, you start reading at the beginning of the book and turn each “page” like you normally would, but when you get halfway through the story, the book appears to end. Then, you have to flip the page over and start reading the backside of all the pages you previously read, which takes you to the end of the book. The whole "page" section of the book will unfold, accordion-style, to create one long section of pages, printed on both front and back. 

The book comes with a slip-on cover that looks like a book jacket, only you must slide the book out in order to read it. The cover holds all the pages together so they don't unfold before you're ready to read them. Quite clever and different!

The illustrations are done in the Bengal Patua style of scroll painting. This makes them very vivid and colorful.

What I Like: I really like the layout of the book.

What I Dislike: The author says in the introduction this is just a retelling of an “great tale” so the reader knows from the beginning the author does not treat the Bible as non-fiction or as the Word of God, merely as a book of fiction or "great tales".

Overall Rating: Very good in terms of the layout of the writing and the uniqueness of the book’s design, but not good if you’re looking for a biblical account of the Great Flood.

Age Appeal: 6-12.

Publisher Info: Tara Books, 2013; ISBN; 9789380340180; Hardcover, $21.95.

Buy now at Amazon.com $17.79!

 

Special Info: Read more about the book at this website.

Candle Bible for Kids: Toddler Edition

If you’re looking for an engaging, sturdy Bible storybook for your toddler, consider Candle Bible for Kids: Toddler Edition.

The structure of this pint-sized Bible is kid-friendly. Though not a board book, it has a padded hardcover and thicker-than-normal pages that makes it quite durable. Inside it holds 14 Old Testament and 22 New Testament stories. The Old Testament stories include many familiar ones, such as the Creation story, Adam and Eve, and Noah’s Ark. The New Testament stories likewise include familiar tales, including the birth of Jesus and miracles and parables from Jesus’ ministry. A Scripture reference follows at the end each narrative.

Pages contain only a few lines of text and are accompanied by Jo Parry’s vivid, colorful, and affable illustrations. The average story runs about 4 pages in length…just long enough to hold an active toddler’s attention. Considering how few words are used per page to convey each story, you can imagine how well they had to be chosen by author Juliet David. Yet using simple but concise language, David hits all the main story points.

What I Like: I like the look, feel, and size of this Bible. Though geared for toddlers, it’s such a lovely book that I imagine preschoolers would enjoy it too. The illustrations have a “graphic art” look to them, which gives them a more modern appearance. Overall, this book would serve as a great introduction to popular Bible stories; however, because of the brevity of each story, parents may want to elaborate on details not included in this book.

What I Dislike: In some of the illustrations, the adult characters look a little young, almost childlike.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: Toddlers

Publisher Info: Candle Books, 2012; ISBN:978-1859859391; Hardcover, 160 pgs., $11.99

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Come Inside the Ark

The familiar story of Noah’s Ark is revisited again in Judith A. Harrah’s book Come Inside the Ark. Harrah introduces the story by stating that all involved in producing the book believe “the events of the flood, the ark, and all who boarded the ark are truth as God wrote it.” She goes on to say that the book “contains animal facts and human activities mixed with whimsy and fantasy to challenge children’s curiosity…”

The story is written in rhyme—sometimes rhyming couplets, sometimes with a different rhyme scheme altogether. The amount of text varies per page. Some pages hold only two stanzas while others hold many. The illustrations, done by Jack Foster, are cartoonish and have a bright, modern look, almost like computer graphic images.

After the introduction, the book starts with God telling Noah to build a boat and load it with animals and supplies because rain is coming. Once all are on board, God closes the door.

From then on, the author describes a variety of animals on the ark. Interjected into these animal introductions are a few other events. At one point, the continuous rain is again mentioned. We also learn about the chores Noah’s sons and daughters performed, and of all the hard work Noah’s wife had to do.

The story ends with Noah and family still on the ark. The last line states, “But this is a short list of all that came. You wouldn’t believe, if they ALL were named!”

Following the ending, the author includes true facts about the animals featured in the story.

What I Like: I appreciate that the author included real animal facts. Animal lovers will enjoy this extra bit of information.

What I Dislike: First, $17.99 is a little pricey for a paperback. Also, there is no set rhyme scheme to this story, which, for me, made it awkward to read. In addition, we know God told Noah to build a boat because of rain, but we aren’t told why God chose Noah to do this, why Noah needed to stay in a boat, what happened to everyone and thing outside the ark, or why God was going to flood the earth in the first place. Also, at one point, Noah’s sons sit on the Ostriches backs and race through the ark. Though I suppose this could have happened, there is nothing in the Bible that mentions this… and, in the book, it is given equal credence as other events. Perhaps the most disappointing part for me was that this book doesn’t tell the complete story. We never see the rainbow in the sky nor learn about the rainbow’s significance. So while this is a “feel good” story, it leaves a lot of gaps. Reading the story of Noah’s Ark directly from the Bible or explaining the story in greater detail to your child will help fill in the missing facts.

Overall Rating: Good. It’s not the greatest book to introduce your children to the story of Noah. However, it might serve as a fun “additional” book that can help your child imagine what it might have been like to be on the ark.

Age Appeal: None indicated. I'd go with preschool age.

Publisher Info: ShadeTree Publishing, LLC, 2012; ISBN: 978-1937331122; Paperback, 66 pgs., $17.99
This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $14.03.
Buy the Kindle version for $5.99.

Special Info: You can read CCBR reviews of other Noah's Ark books.  

Noah and God's Great Promise: Biblical Values (I Can Read!)

If you’re looking for a Bible story your developing reader can read independently, check out Noah and God’s Great Promise. This level 2 I Can Read! book tells the story of Noah’s ark using sentences and words that are a little bit longer and more sophisticated than the simple, short sentences and easily decodable words found in a level 1 I Can Read! book.

Before the story begins, it sites Psalm 145:13 NIrV: The Lord is faithful and will keep all his promises. Readers then follow Noah as he builds the ark, deals with scornful neighbors, and collects animals. After that, the rains come… and come… and come, flooding the whole earth. Noah and the animals stay safe on the ark until finally the waters recede, and God places a rainbow in the sky.

The illustrations, done by Dennis G. Jones, are delightfully fun. Full of whimsical energy and interesting detail, these cartoon-like pictures make a fine accompaniment to the text. Most pages contain no more than four sentences, which allows ample room for the illustrations to work their magic.

What I Like: Jones is one of my favorite Christian artists. I’d buy just about any book he illustrated! My kids have always loved his work too. I also appreciate some of the engaging word choices. For example, the story uses words like FLASH! and pitter-patter to liven up the text.

What I Dislike: The story has a few gaps that parents might want to fill in. For example, Noah’s family is mentioned (once) but never shown. I think it would be important to note who was included in the family. Also, the story says, “God promised to never send a flood again.” Well… anyone familiar with Katrina or even smaller scale flooding might take issue with that statement. Parents would need to clarify that the story meant a worldwide flood.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: Ages 4 and up.

Publisher Info: ZonderKidz, 2010; ISBN:978-0310718840; Paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $3.49
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Special Info: Read CCBR reviews of other books illustrated by Dennis G. Jones. Other books in the I Can Read! series illustrated by Jones include Jesus, God's Great Gift, Daniel, God's Faithful Follower, David and God's Giant Victory, and more!

Noah's Ark: The Brick Bible for Kids

If your child loves building with Lego toys, he might enjoy Brendan Powell Smith’s Noah’s Ark: The Brick Bible for Kids. Each page has one or two lines of simple Scripture text and is illustrated (by Smith) with a photograph of a corresponding scene built entirely out of Lego bricks.

Before the story begins, however, Smith has an open letter to parents where he discusses not only the beauty of the story of Noah’s ark, but its harshness as well. He says, “It seems severe, but it also speaks of redemption.” He also argues that such a vivid portrayal of the story (his scenes show fighting and death) will potentially make it easier for children to understand complicated issues. He goes further by providing suggestions on how to address tough questions (such as “Why would God kill people?”), pointing out the significance of the rainbow, and encouraging parents to read the Bible together with their children.

The story itself is straightforward, as are the pictures. Readers see Lego people fighting, much to God’s displeasure. They witness Noah building the ark and collecting animals and food. The flood comes, and terrified Lego men drown in the waters. (Yes, there are a few floating heads detached from their little Lego bodies.) Finally, Noah is shown offering up a sacrifice and a beautiful brick rainbow is displayed in the sky.

As an added bonus at the end of the story, readers are given snapshots of certain bricks. Just like in the book Where’s Waldo, readers are encouraged to revisit the story and find the special items.

What I Like: Any young Lego lover will be drawn to the book. Smith’s scenes are very detailed. Smith is a skilled and creative artist. Also, this hardcover book is selling on Amazon at a remarkably low price right now...$2.87 (originally $12.95) plus they offer a kindle version for $2.73. The low price alone makes the book worth a second look.

What I Dislike (and also appreciate): I know it happened, but I felt uncomfortable seeing the drowning Lego people (especially the floating heads!) and a knife-wielding Noah ready to sacrifice the goat. When I first read the book, I had not read the author’s note to the parents and was rather disturbed by the images. However, after going back and reading the author’s thoughts, which preceded the story, I better understood and appreciated his approach. He made a valid point AND offered suggestions to the more squeamish people (like me) on how to address the harsher aspects of the story in a healthy manner.
Special Note: Smith used a Lego character to represent God in the pictures. The scowling divine being looks like an angry (or very grumpy) Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings.

Overall Rating: From my perspective, I'd rank it as Good. However, in all fairness, Lego lovers will no doubt disagree with me and give it a Very Good rating, while Lego lovers with no objection to the issues I raised above would likely rate it Excellent. So keep that in mind. :)

Age Appeal: None is given, but I suggest toddler through Kindergarten, possibly first grade.

Publisher Info: Sky Pony Press, 2012; ISBN:978-1616087371; Hardcover, 32 pgs., $12.95

This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $2.87.
OR Buy the kindle version for $2.73

Special Info: You can visit the author's website or check out other brick books at Amazon:The Brick Bible: A New Spin on the Old Testament, The Brick Bible: The New Testament: A New Spin on the Story of Jesus, The Brick Testament: The Ten Commandments, and The Christmas Story: The Brick Bible for Kids.

Secret of the Catacombs

If you’re looking for a Christian alternative to the Magic Tree House series then take a look at Secret of the Catacombs, the first book in the Catacombs Mysteries series.

Author Mary Litton says she was inspired by the popular aforementioned series. True to her word, there are numerous similarities between the two. Like Jack and Annie in the Magic Tree House, Secret of the Catacombs features two characters—a third grade boy named Will and a second grade girl named Molly. The storyline parallels the structure of a typical Magic Tree House story too, with a magic book (a Bible) that teleport the characters back in time, where they must complete a mission before it is too late. Likewise, Will and Molly are also given specific objects that will help them complete their task, and they (and therefore the reader) have access to vital information particular to the time period. In addition, the story is accented by black and white line illustrations, drawn by Aleksandra D. Chabros in a fashion reminiscent of Magic Tree House.

However, unlike the Magic Tree House series, Will and Molly are given their missions from an angel (as opposed to sorceress Morgan Le Fay) and they must recall Scripture passages and lessons learned in Sunday school class in order to complete their task. They are also teleported from the basement of their church instead of a tree house. Why the differences? As Litton puts it, “I wanted to write a fun mystery chapter book series for early readers to learn and explore the fundamental Bible stories and understand how those stories still apply to their modern lives.”

In this first book, Will and Molly are introduced to the reading audience. They then discover the secret time portal. Plus they get their first mission: to save horses from being swept away in the flood and get them back on board Noah’s ark.

What I Like: As always, I am an advocate for more Christian fiction chapter books for early readers, so I welcome this refreshing new series. The pdf file I read was attractive—clean in mechanics and well written. I also like how the book uses (as Litton puts it) “key memory verses and story references” to help children “become more familiar with the Bible’s books, chapters, and verses.” Some might object to how closely Litton follows the Magic Tree House formula, but I didn’t mind. After all, my own series was born out of a desire to write a Christian alternative to Junie B. Jones, and, eight books later, has taken on a life of its own. I suspect this series has the potential to do the same.

What I Dislike: The illustration of Mrs. Smotherly, Will's Sunday school teacher, was cartoonish compared the realistic nature of the rest of the pictures, and the inconsistency bothered me. Also, while the story was enjoyable, it did not hold enough tension (for me) to make it irresistible. (Ironically, I feel the same way about many of the Magic Tree House books... and it is a major bestselling series!)

Overall Rating: Very Good, although I believe Magic Tree House fans would rate it Excellent.

Age Appeal: None is listed, but it seems well suited for the K-2 grade level.

Publisher Info: Windy Knob Press, 2012; ISBN:978-0615615820; Paperback, 74pgs., $5.99

This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $5.99.

The Berenstain Bears Follow God's Word

If there's anything my kids like more than a Berenstain Bear book, it's a collection of Berenstain bear stories all under one cover. Jan and Mike Berenstain's The Berenstain Bears Follow God's Word, then, is a treat, containing five books in one.

The first story in the collection is The Berenstain Bears God Loves You; Sister has hopes for a lead in the school musical, and Brother is sure he'll get on the school basketball team. But after doing their best during try-outs, they learn Sister is "just" the stage manager and brother is "just" the team manager. Depressed, both go home on a rainy day. But when the sun comes out, the Bear family heads outside to see a rainbow. Mama reminds: "The rainbow is a gift from God. It's a sign that the rain is past and the sun has come to warm the earth again. God puts the rainbow in the sky as a beautiful sign of his love for all the earth and all the creatures that he has made." Including the young bears. She also explains that while God wants us to behave well, he loves us even when we do wrong things. And Mama and Papa are proud of the cubs for taking on such responsible roles as stage manager and team manager.

Next up, is The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule. You can read Christine's review of this story here.

The Berenstain Bears Kindness Counts is next. In this story, Brother allows a younger cub to help him fly his prized model airplane, remembering how he felt when he was younger and Papa did the same. When the model plane crashes, Brother continues his kindness; he lets the cub know it wasn't his fault. He even lets the cub help him repair the plane. When the two go to the park to fly the plane again, Brother spots some older boys launching rockets. He asks if he can help and is at first turned down. But when they hear about how Brother let a younger cub help him, they decide he can participate in the rocket launch.

The Berenstain Bears Go to Sunday School comes next. The Bear family has been absent from church for a while because the cubs have been busy with soccer and ballet. But Mama decides it's time to start going again. They rise early - to no one's delight - and go to the little chapel. The family sings hymns together, then the children head off to Sunday School. Here, they recount the story of Noah's ark, and learn some funny things about their parents' childhoods. In the end, everyone enjoys the morning, and the cubs head off to soccer and ballet as usual.

The final story in the book is The Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers. The cubs say their prayers every night before bed, asking God to bless those around them. But one day Brother and Sister head off to a baseball game, where they see Cousin Fred pray silently before a difficult play. Things go well for Fred and so Brother decides to pray that God will help him make a hit. Brother fails. He tells Fred, "I even tried praying like you did...But it didn't work for me." Fred confesses he only asked that God would help him stay calm and not get too scared. "Prayers are always answered," he says. "Sometimes, we just don't get the answer we expect." That night, when Sister teases Brother about his ball playing, Brother prays God will "help me out with my little sister." To his surprise, he finds he's not angry with her any more.

The book ends with questions and a few activities related to the stories.

What I Like: I read Berenstain bear books to my kids because they love them and they usually have a good moral they can apply to their lives. This collection of stories was no exception.
 

What I Dislike: It's strange to me that God Loves Us doesn't mention the biblical meaning of the rainbow. Kindness Counts is completely secular, although it has a good message. When I read this book to my children, I have to skip Go to Sunday School completely because my children go to "big church" with us; I also didn't like that the Bear family only dedicates the morning to God, going about their usual business the rest of the day instead of actually taking a day of rest. Finally, I wish the emphasis in Say Their Prayers was a little more on how to pray throughout the day.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: preschool to first grade

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2011; ISBN: 978-0310725916 ; hardback, 160 pgs., $10.99.
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Busy Bible Storybook

Looking for an attractive, sturdy, interactive Bible storybook for your toddler? Check out Busy Bible Storybook, by Jill Roman Lord. The book has a thick, padded cover, double heavy inner pages, and durable moving parts. Each two-page spread highlights one story from the Bible: Creation, Noah’s ark, the Exodus, Daniel and the lion’s den, Jonah, and the birth of Christ. Each has a heading, a Scripture reference, and 8 lines of rhyming verse summarizing the story. Every turn of the page provides kids with an opportunity to pull tabs, move a wheel, lift a flap, or enjoy a pop-up image. The illustrations, done by Trace Moroney, are bright and engaging with enough detail to hold the readers interest. The illustrator included people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. I found the pictures darling—cute without being “cute-sie”.
Here is an example of four of the lines from the story of creation: The Lord God created the earth and the seas,/ the plants and the grass, bright flowers and trees./ He placed the sun high in the sky to shine bright,/ and the moon and the stars glow in the night.
What I Like: I loved the feel and look of the book. It is built to withstand toddler-powered wear-and-tear. I think kids familiar with these Bible stories will love reading the book over and over. Parents will appreciate it as a fresh way of introducing or reinforcing these mostly old-testament favorites.
What I Dislike: These are not dislikes as much as things to be aware of. The lift the tab on the whale is the most vulnerable feature of the book. Unlike the other strong movable parts, the paper on the flap is much thinner. However, parents aware of this can ensure youngsters treat this particular page with care. Also, the stories are very much abbreviated, probably to appeal to a young audience. Parents might need to supply more details or background information to explain things like why God sent the flood, who Moses was, and so on. Finally, the rhythms in the verses are not perfect. I stumbled a few times, but still felt like they were well written.
Overall Rating: Excellent as a durable interactive book, and with the understanding that stories are not told in full detail.
Age Appeal: No age is given, but this one is definitely geared for the toddler/ preschool age group.
Publisher Info: Kregel Kidzone, 2006; ISBN: 978-0825455292; Board Book, 12 pgs., $12.99.
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Mrs. Noah's Vegetable Ark

I have read many children’s stories about Noah’s ark, some from Noah’s point-of-view, but Mrs. Noah’s Vegetable Ark is the first book I’ve read from Mrs. Noah’s point-of-view.

This delightful tale, written by Elena Pasquali, depicts Mrs. Noah as an avid gardener. When she learns her husband is building a giant ark to house the animals during the upcoming flood, she is concerned about what will happen to her garden. She devices clever ways to make her garden mobile, thus saving her plants from the flood and providing food for all on board the ark.
The illustrations by Steve Lavis are bright, colorful and expressive and go perfectly with the text.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: The only thing I can find that’s missing is a Bible reference for the story.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8.

Publisher Info: Lion Hudson, 2011; ISBN: 9780745962535; Hardcover, $14.99.

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Dragons: Legends & Lore of Dinosaurs

Among creationists (scientists and laymen who believe in a literal biblical account of creation) there is the thought that stories of dragons actually refer to real dinosaurs. That's what Bill Looney's Dragons: Legends and Lore of Dinosaurs is all about.

In this interactive volume, kids explore what truth there might be behind old stories of dragons. First, the author introduces dragon legends from around the globe, including those from Greece, China, North America, the United Kingdom, and South America. Photographs of ancient art depicting creatures who can only be described as dinosaurs is also included. An attached mini book offers eyewitness accounts, including those from Marco Polo, John of Damascus, Alexander the Great, and the biblical book of Job. There is a two page spread on dragons in the Bible. (Did you know the King James version mentions them repeatedly - and not just in reference to Satan?) The authors even speculate on how dinosaurs fit in with Noah's ark. Another section deals with famous dragon slayers, including St. George and St. Margaret of Antioch. Toward the end of the book, the author questions whether accounts of such creatures as the Loch Ness Monster could really be stories of living dinosaurs.

What I Like: There are lift the flaps, attached envelopes with papers inside, attached mini books, and other interactive features all over this book, making it perfect for reluctant readers. The topic is also fascinating - even for adults. All in all, this is a beautifully put together book with engaging and often colorful illustrations and photographs.

What I Dislike: There are some delicate features in this volume. For example, it was tough for me to open the attached envelopes without tearing them. And the papers inside? I can see how they might easily get lost.
Overall Rating: Very good.
Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 9 to 12, although some younger kids will enjoy looking at this book and having it read to them.
Publishing Info: Master Books, 2011; ISBN: 978-0890515587; hardback, 24 pgs., $17.99.

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Baby's Bible Friends (Baby Blessings)

Kids love animals, and the Bible is full of them! Baby’s Bible Friends, a sturdy board book with thick foam-filled pages, highlights different animals in the Bible. For example, we see Jonah’s whale and Peter’s fish swimming in a sea made with shiny blue stripes. Of course, animals from Noah’s ark, a camel, and our manger friends show up! Illustrated by Mandy Stanley, the simple, friendly pictures accented with colorful foil-wrap are sure to capture youngster’s attention. Each page holds only a few lines of large-print text—enough to briefly draw attention to the featured animal.

What I Like: The version I read had foil-wrap accents, which I found beautifully mesmerizing. I appreciate the durability of the book too. The concepts are very simple in presentation, yet can be used by parents explore the Bible story where the animal is found.

What I Dislike: The book does not give Scriptural references to coincide with the animals. Parents wanting to provide more information may need to have a Bible handy!

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: The publisher lists 4-8, but I think the simple text and book format is better suited for the baby-preschoolers group.

Publisher Info: Standard, 2010; ISBN:978-0784729465; Board Book, 8 PGS., $8.99.

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Special Info: Read other Baby Blessing book reviews by CCBR.