Under The Sea Holy Bible

The Under the Sea Holy Bible, NIV, is a perfect gift for children ages 6 to 10. Themes of underwater fun and sparkling fish grace the interior of this wonderful children’s Bible. The outside is covered in foil and sparkle. The interior has color inserts featuring whimsical underwater scenes with themes of God’s care and love for each of us and all of creation.

What I Like: The cover of the Under The Sea Holy Bible is absolutely adorable with the sparkly and foiled illustrations. Kids will be drawn to it. Within, there are several bright blue pages mixed within the bible pages that highlight teachings that kids could relate to easily. The ten commandments are listed in a simplistic form that makes sense to children. Another page highlights all of the children and teens mentioned throughout the bible and a small reference to who they were and what they did along with the scripture where you can find their story.

There is glossary in the back as well.

What I Dislike: Because I love the special blue pages so much, I was disappointed that there weren't more of them.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 6-10 years old.

Publisher Info: Zondervan, 2016; ISBN: 978-0310754046 ; Hardcover, 1152 pgs., $24.99

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Please and Thank You God: Prayers For Family & Events

Please and Thank You, God! prayers can be used and enjoyed alone or together as a family during many different occasions and events throughout the year. Included in this book, you’ll also find prayers for your family, friends, religious holidays and more.

What I Like: Prayers for Family and Events is a must-have for any parent looking for a way to teach their children to pray easily. Each colorful and whimsically illustrated two-page layout focuses on an important person in the reader's life (like parents and friends) or an occasion, like holidays (Christmas, Easter) or a birthday.

Each two-page layout includes a "Thank You" to God where children are giving thanks to for the blessing he has provided and a "Please" portion where children submit petitions unto the Lord. The please portion includes scripture.

For example, the Easter Page prayer thanks "Jesus for suffering on the cross for my sins and rising again," and asks God to "Please help me share the good news of Easter with others," followed by a short scripture about rejoicing in Jesus's resurrection.

Each prayer is short (only a few sentences) and includes a short verse that correlates with the prayer, so children are praying and learning scripture. I love the illustrations, also by Agnes de Bezenac, that help bring the pages to life.

What I Dislike: I always prefer to see the bible version when I see scripture. It's not included in this book, but it doesn't take away from the book.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8 and under.

Publisher Info: iCharacter.org, 2014; ISBN:978-1623871970 ; Paperback, 32 pgs., $8.49

Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.49

Other Prayer Books in the series
Prayers Before Bed and Prayers Throughout the Day

Additional Info: Author Page www.iCharacter.org

Angels In The Bible Storybook

Where were the angels when God created the world? Why did an angel force a donkey off a road? Who did the angels get out of jail twice? Young readers will find answers to these and other questions in this exciting storybook, written by bestselling author Allia Zobel Nolan with illustrations by Alida Massari. Angels in the Bible Storybook gives children a fascinating look into how God’s powerful behind-the-scenes helpers interacted with Bible greats from Abraham, Lot, and Gideon to Zechariah, Mary, and Jesus himself, acting as messengers, protectors, warriors, and more.

What I Like: Angels in the Bible Storybook, by Allia Zobel Nolan is an exhaustive look of every biblical account involving angels. All of the information is biblically based and follows the order of the bible. The illustrations by Alida Massari are very detailed and colorful helping readers envision biblical stories more clearly.

What I Dislike: Nothing. However, I would say that it is a very long storybook and not one a child could read through before bed.

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 4 - 8 years. A four-year-old would probably need an adult to read through and help them understand the stories.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2016; ISBN: 978-0310743651; Hardcover, 224 pgs., $12.27

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $11.99

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $12.15

Goodnight Manger

Goodnight, Manger, written by Laura Sassi and illustrated by New York Times bestselling artist Jane Chapman, tells the story of Mary and Joseph as they try to lull Jesus to sleep in the noisy stable after his birth. It's bedtime for Baby Jesus, but who knew a manger could be so loud? Mama, Papa, and all of the animals try to lull the baby to sleep, but between itchy hay, angels' joyful hosannas, and three kings bearing noisy gifts, it's just too loud. Until Mama finds a way for everyone to work together to shepherd Baby into peaceful dreams under the twinkling stars. With sweet, rhyming text in the style of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site, Goodnight, Manger offers a unique twist on the classic manger tale, deftly weaving together the comforting and familiar routines of bedtime with the special magic and wonder of the manger story.

What I Like: A cleverly written rhyming book, Goodnight Manger, by Laura Sassi, is such a cute book. Have you ever wondered what life was really like for Mary and Joseph in the manger with non-stop visitors and animals everywhere? Goodnight Manger paints a wonderful picture that will make you smile. The illustrations by Jane Chapman are adorable and are a nice compliment to the book. This is definitely a new family favorite for my household.

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8 yrs

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2015; ISBN: 978-0310745563; Hardcover; 32 pgs., $16.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.49

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The Baptism of Jesus: A Story from the Jordan River

“In the land of Israel, the holiest land of all,/ There is a quiet, peaceful place, not too big or small./ “Yardenit” on the River Jordan is the place/ Where over half a million come every year, by God’s grace."

So begins the book The Baptism of Jesus, by Reverend Jim Reimann. The story, based on historical location and John the Baptist, is written in rhyme. Each two-page spread includes a watercolor picture, done by Naywan Zoubi, and a four-line verse.

It starts showing modern-day pilgrims lined up to be baptized in the river, then tells why people travel all this way: because this is where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. The artist shows Christ depicted in traditional garb, while a variety of ethnic people dot a number of background images.

The portion recounting John’s work is inspired by Mark 1:1-11. Although this isn’t stated in the text, the author sites this Scripture reference on the back cover, and he encourages readers to locate and read the passage.

The tale ends with an intricate drawing of “The Wall of New Life”, which currently surrounds “Yardenit”, and contains the passage of Scripture in more than 80 languages. As a follow up, the author included a photograph of a white clad crowd awaiting their turn in the river with the wall in the background plus a full page of historical facts about the location.

What I Like: It was interesting to see the image of the Wall of New Life and all the people lined up to be baptized.

What I Dislike: The rhyming text doesn’t always work. The meter is sometimes awkward on the tongue when read aloud, and the rhyme that drives the word choice and structure of the narrative often feels forced. Also, despite the title, the story focuses more on the location and on John the Baptist. The encounter between John and Jesus only takes three verses.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: Ages 3-9

Publisher Info: Intelecty, 2014; ISBN: 978-9657607152 ; Paperback/ Kindle, 24 pgs., $6.99.

This book is NOT available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $4.95
OR the Kindle version for $2.99.

Special Info: There are ten books in this bestselling series, all designed and produced in Israel. Many have been translated into other languages. Other titles include: Stories of Yeshua, The Jesus Boat, John 3:16: Jesus And Nicodemus In Jerusalem, Jesus Loves The Little Children Of The World, Jesus Is Alive: The Empty Tomb In Jerusalem, Jesus Is Born! The Bethlehem Story, Jesus Raises A Little Girl to Life - A Miracle in Capernaum, Saul is Born Again, and more.

The Jesus Boat

How would you feel if you discovered an ancient boat from Biblical times? The Jesus Boat, by Reverend Jim Reinmann, is based on a true account of two boys who discover an antiquated boat buried on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It became known as “The Jesus Boat”.

The story begins with two Jewish fishermen. In 1986, they come across a truck stuck in the mud. During the process of digging it out, they uncover the great 2000 year-old find. Scientists verified its authenticity and it was placed in a museum.

After that, the tale segues into the time of Christ. The illustrations show Jesus on the boat. He calms a storm while his disciples look on. This portion of the story is based on Mark 4:35-41. Although this isn’t stated in the text, the author sites this Scripture reference on the back cover, and he encourages readers to locate and read the passage.

An intricate drawing of the boat as displayed in the museum and a sketch of what the restored boat may have looked like are located on the last two pages.

The book is written in rhyme. Each two-page spread includes a pencil drawing, done by Naywan Zoubi, and a four-line verse.

What I Like: I didn’t know about this archaeological discovery; I found that fact very interesting.

What I Dislike: The rhyming text doesn’t always work. The meter is sometimes awkward on the tongue when read aloud, and the rhyme that drives the word choice and structure of the narrative often feels forced. I also wasn’t a big fan of the illustrations. They seemed inconsistent to me in that some images seemed to strive for a realistic depiction while others came across as cartoonish.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: Ages 3-9

Publisher Info: Intelecty LTD, 2013, ISBN: 978-9657607084; Paperback/ Kindle, 24 pgs., $6.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.99
Or Buy the Kindle version for $2.99.

Special Info: There are ten books in this bestselling series, all designed and produced in Israel. Many have been translated into other languages. Other titles include: Stories of Yeshua, The Baptism of Jesus, John 3:16: Jesus And Nicodemus In Jerusalem, Jesus Loves The Little Children Of The World, Jesus Is Alive: The Empty Tomb In Jerusalem, Jesus Is Born! The Bethlehem Story, Jesus Raises A Little Girl to Life - A Miracle in Capernaum, Saul is Born Again, and more.

Brother Giovanni's Little Reward: How the Pretzel Was Born

Brother Giovanni is a happy man, content to do what he knows best: baking. But all is not well at his monastery, where the monks are trying to teach the children their prayers in time for a very important visit from the Bishop. Having tried everything, they turn to Giovanni -- but he doesn’t know anything about teaching! Eventually, though, Brother Giovanni discovers how to use his gifts to offer the children the perfect motivation.

This vibrant book, which includes a historical note and free recipe, tells the fascinating story behind one of the world’s most popular snacks.

What I Like: I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Author Anna Egan Smucker has written a clever story about a monk who invented the pretzel, based on historical sources that attribute the pretzel to an unknown monk in Italy or France in 615 AD. I loved how the shape of the pretzel has significance in its creation and in the book. I think kids will love the story behind the the pretzel and how it relates to Christianity. It is a cute story with the potential to open children's hearts to praying.

This book is a great for story time to be read by a teacher to the class. The teacher can also learn from this book and can incorporate a pretzel snack to get the children even more interested. There is a recipe in the back for soft pretzels.

The illustrations matched the story very well and are very colorful and  nicely drawn. Illustrator Amanda Hall filled the pages with illustrations that are reminiscent of old paintings but easily likable for children.

The book is large and makes it a great for sharing the book with the children.

What I Dislike: There are a few instances where the author would like the reader to assume the reasons for feelings and actions.  Example: The donor of the church is coming for a visit and the monks believe he will be upset if the children don't know their prayers. That is understandable but then the book goes on to say that they will no longer be able to sell their bread if the donor is upset. As an adult I can surmise that they believe the donor will discontinue donations and therefor they can not purchase the supplies needed to make and sell their livelihood but I'm not sure a 4 year old can make that leap. I'm not even sure he would understand if an adult tried to explain that concept.

This price is a bit too steep.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2015; ISBN: 9780802854209 ; Hardcover, 34 pgs., $17.00

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $12.49
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Jacob's New Heart

Jacob’s New Heart, written by Barbara Sims, puts the transforming power of God’s word into a visual, kid-friendly story about an ugly caterpillar changing into a beautiful butterfly.

The story begins right at Jacob’s mountainside birth. He beholds a beautiful world and then is greeted by his pretty butterfly mother. In the midst of such loveliness, Jacob is shamed by his own drabness. His mother encourages him, telling him he can be transformed from the inside out when he gets to know God.

When Jacob asks how he can do that, she replies, “If you want to get to know Him, you’ll need to ask him to come into your heart.”

After Jacob does so, he hungers. Mom tells him that God’s word will make his heart grow. Jacob eats leaves that are full of Scripture verses, such as Psalm 119:103- “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

Once Jacob is full of God’s word, Mom guides him to make a chrysalis and rest, stating, “Now that God’s word is inside you, it will change you.” Sure enough, after some time passes, Jacob emerges a beautiful butterfly too.

Following the story, the book includes enrichment activities. (Although this section is labeled as “Suggestions For a Bible Memory Chart”, numbers 9 and 10 are not part of the memory chart directions.) Black and white drawings are included to be used as templates for creating the memory chart.

Sheila Lenz Prusacki created the watercolor-and-pen illustrations for this book. (The ugly caterpillar is actually very cute!) Most pictures are dominated by bright green and pale blue colors. Action is limited; many illustrations simply show the mother butterfly talking to the caterpillar. Several illustrations are for a two-page spread, but there are several self-contained pages as well. Although it varies, in general there is a large portion of medium-sized text on each page.

What I Like: I think the idea of putting Scripture on a leaf to show how it “feeds” us is very clever, and that once we have that inside us, it changes us. I also like how the author took advantage of her teaching background to provide some ideas for extending the story.

What I Dislike: All the verses on the leaves were related to, in effect, hiding God’s word in your heart. While that’s a GOOD thing, the message was all the same. I would have liked some verses that targeted other areas of getting to know God, such as God’s great love for people, the fruit of the spirit… or what it means to be born again.

Also, I felt like the story very quickly brushed over the idea of salvation. While this does provide a springboard for an adult reader to talk about exactly what it means to ask Jesus into our hearts, it might leave those unfamiliar with Scripture asking questions.

Finally, the paperback is expensive. If you buy this book, consider the more affordable e-book.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: None listed-- maybe Kindergarten/1st grade crowd.

Publisher Info: Westbow Press, 2014; ISBN: 978-1490847290; Paperback, e-book, Kindle, 38 pgs., $16.95.

Buy the paperback Now at Christianbook.com for $16.95 or the e-book for $3.99
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Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus? That’s a question many young children might ask. The concept of Jesus being someone you cannot see but who is both God and man, forgives your sins, and lives in your heart is an abstract idea for kids. How can parents help children understand what Jesus is like and how he views people? How can children comprehend God’s love for them and recognize ways they can show God’s love to others? A good starting point for discussion is MaryAnn Diorio’s book Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus? is not a typical storybook; instead it is set up in simple yet predictably structured sections. (In a way, it’s almost like a short devotional book for preschoolers by the way it is divided up.) First, the reader sees the same image as the cover asking, “Who is Jesus?” The next two-page spread shows pictures of a child with a problem (getting their toy taken, being laughed at, etc.) followed by a child receiving grace (having a toy shared with them, being comforted). The question-and-answer style text points out that Jesus won’t treat you in an unhappy way but in a caring way. After that, the author shares a Scripture that ties into the example. 

Take this four-page snippet for illustration: “Who is Jesus?”/ “Is he someone who yells at you when you cry?”/ “No, Jesus doesn’t yell at you when you cry. Jesus helps you blow your nose.”/ “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1. 


 Each page contains only a few lines of text and is accompanied by whimsical pen and watercolor creations done by award winning illustrator Kim Sponaugle. The pictures are brightly colored, packed with delightful detail, and visually alluring. Sponaugle portrays children from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

What I Like: I love the illustrations in this book. Even if the text was terrible (which it is not) I would probably still buy the book just for the pictures. The message is sweet and somewhat subtle too. It tells us how Jesus cares for us, but shows us through images what that looks like in everyday life. (Jesus doesn’t actually share a teddy bear with a friend as the text states, but his love is shown when a teddy bear is shared with a friend.) As a teacher, I also appreciate the pattern of the book, which young children seem to enjoy.

What I Dislike: It is a little pricey.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: None is listed, but I think it's best suited for the toddler/preschool group.

Publisher Info: TopNotch Press, 2014; ISBN:978-0930037154 ; Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, 48 pgs., HC $19.95, PB $ 14.95, Kindle $14.95

Buy the hardback at Amazon.com for $17.98!
OR Buy the paperback at Amazon.com for $13.47
OR Buy the Kindle version at Amazon.com for $9.95

Ephesians 6: 10 -18 Review Plus Giveaway!

Children learn about the protective armor of God, and how they can apply this Biblical principle. Relatable illustrations help clarify the verses and applications presented, while historical facts support the concept of the armor.

What I Like:  In Ephesians 6:10-18, each piece of armor is described with scripture and an easy to understand explanation of the scripture. The author, Agnes de Bezenac - who is also the illustrator, used a Roman soldier's armor as a visual to help a child understand the meaning of the Armor of God. Each piece of armor is highlighted on a separate page.

The illustrations in the book are awesome. I really love them. They are all so full of detail and add an element to the story beyond just seeing a picture. My eight year old son read this with me and the illustrations invoked conversations about how he thought the images related to what he read.

What I Dislike: The title of the book is a little unimaginative and I would have much preferred Armor of God as opposed to Ephesians 6. Although I know the book is based on Ephesians 6,  the scripture on each page didn't include the book name, chapter or verse. I found it a little bothersome because I didn't know which verse I was reading. I also prefer that it be included to help children memorize it.

Overall Rating: Very Good!

Age Appeal: 7 and under, but my 8 year old liked it.

Publisher Info: iCharacter, 2014; ISBN: 978-1623870119; Paperback, 32 pgs., $8.45
Buy it Now at Amazon.com for $8.45
Also available is the Ephesians 6 Activity & Coloring Book

Additional Info: Author Page www.iCharacter.org

CCBR - Ephesians (Armor of God) Paperback & Activity Book

The Story of King Jesus

People of God pass their faith to the next generation by telling the story of how God rescues his children. This richly illustrated book continues to tell that story—from the creation of the world to Jesus’ victory over death. Designed for children ages 4 to 8, The Story of King Jesus is the gospel told in a single story—a story meant to be read from start to finish in one sitting.

 The Story of King Jesus will captivate your child’s imagination, nurture their spiritual curiosity, and draw them into the full Bible story as they embark on a lifetime of following Jesus the King.

What I Like: It is a rarity for me to find a book for children where Jesus is referred to as King Jesus. It opens up the door for children to understand the divinity, majesty and greatness of Jesus before and after his life here.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely gorgeous and full of so much detail. The bright colors and details are captivating and add so much to the story.

The story covers Creation, Abrahamic Covenant, the creation of the Nation of Israel, Jesus' birth, ministry, death, resurrection and return and a few other stories in a very condensed version.

The story is sure to invoke lots of questions and create opportunities to discuss Jesus as he relates to stories of the Old Testament like the Abrahamic Covenant and the prophecy being fulfilled as well as his return.

What I Dislike: Nothing


Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 4-8 but I would say its better suited for 6-8.

Publisher Info: David C. Cook, 2015; ISBN: 978-1434707727; Hardcover, 48 pgs., $14.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $11.99
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Special Info: The book mentions Jesus being stripped of clothing.

God's Great Creation

As your child learns to read, it's a fantastic thing for them to start learning the habit of Bible reading. You can make this happen by offering your child reading level appropriate books of Bible stories. God's Great Creation is such a book (level 2), and worth considering as an addition to your library.

The book, which is based upon the Adventure Bible for children, tells the story of creation and of the fall. It covers the days of creation, then the creation of Adam and Eve. God gives Eden to Adam and Eve, but tells them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Satan, in the form of a snake, convinces Eve to eat exactly the fruit God has warned them not to. Adam partakes, as well. God punishes the snake, then sends Adam and Eve from the garden.

What I Like: I love it when my kids can read Bible stories! I also like David Miles' illustrations (although they seem a bit dark in my copy of the book). And overall, I think the interpretation of the biblical account is just right for early readers. Best of all, the book hints at God's grace; at the end of the book, after God takes Adam and Eve out of Eden, the book reads: "As they left the garden God was planning how to help his people."

What I Dislike: There is one thing I dislike about this book - something parents should be aware of before giving God's Great Creation to their kids. In this book, after God creates Eve, he says: "Use all you see with respect. And follow my one rule: do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil."

But the Bible does not say God told Adam and Eve to "use all you see with respect." It says (in Gen. 2:15, before Eve is even created) "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.'" So, God's Great Creation is not only a bit inaccurate, but also politically correct, which may bother some parents.

Overall Rating: I struggled with how to rate this book, given the "dislike" above. Ultimately, I think it's a good opportunity for parents to dig out the real Bible and compare the text with this book. Therefore, I'm giving this book a "Good" rating.

Age Appeal: about 4 - 8.


Publishing Info: Zondervan, 2014; ISBN:  978-0310732389; paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99

Buy God's Great Creation at Amazon for $3.59
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The Sheep That No One Could Find

The Sheep That No One Could Find by Anthony DeStefano is a charming recreation of the biblical parable of the Good Shepherd and the lost sheep.

The story follows the little lamb as he makes one wrong choice to leave the Shepherd and the consequences that follow.

The book is written as a lyrical poem, but is quite easy for children to understand and take to heart. As I read the lines, "But one of the sheep decided one day the words of the Shepherd were hard to obey. Instead he decided to do things his way," my six year old looked at me and thoughtfully said, "This book sounds like it is for me."

I realize that the Bible does not actually tell us what happened to the little lamb as he wandered away from the Shepherd. The parable is designed to show us the love that Jesus has for each and everyone of us individually. This book, however, does a fantastic job of showing children that when we choose to disobey or runaway from our authority, we will find ourselves in situations that could lead to sorrow, injury, and danger.


What I Like: Illustrations are so important in books designed for little eyes. Smaller children cannot read, so to keep them engaged, these books need great illustrations. Illustrator Richard Cowdrey, a New York Times Bestselling Artist, does a fantastic job filling the pages with color and pictures to bring the story to life for little (and big) eyes. My two and a half year old stayed engaged with the story the entire time because he was so mesmerized by the illustrations and talked about them throughout my reading of the story.

What I Dislike: I loved this book.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 2-8-year-olds

Publisher Info: Harvest House Publishers, 2014; ISBN: 978-0-7369-5611-6 ; hardcover, 32 pgs., $14.99


Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $7.99

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $12.78

I See You There: My Father's Love

I See You There: My Father's Love by Kevin Main was originally written as a poem. Because of the encouragement of his wife, his little poem became a fully illustrated book.

The poem explains, in very beautiful descriptions, the different ways that we can see God- from the moment we open our eyes in the morning to when we close our eyes at night. The poem really caused me to pause and think of the ways God reveals Himself during the course of a normal day.

This book is not long with each page containing a four line part of the poem, yet the illustrations fill up the page and bring the words to life.

I personally loved the illustrations in this book. They appear to be a series of watercolor paintings depicting different aspects of God's beautiful creation. Each picture shows a father interacting with his children, showing them something that God created for them to enjoy.

What I Like: Now that my daughter (6 years old) is a reader, I really like that she was able to pick up this book and read it with minimal help from me. Although this book is written as a poem, she was still able to read it with understanding.

I love how the author did not just write a book and leave it for us to read. He actually gives parents a "guide" and purpose right at the beginning of the book. He wants us to use this book to spend time with our children and to speak of God's love for them. This book is designed to be a catapult to generate conversations with our children of our Heavenly Father's great love for us.

What I Dislike: I loved everything in this book.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 3-8 years old

Publisher Info: Lighthouse Christian Publishing, 2013; ISBN: 9781482031102 ; paperback, 38 pgs., $9.95

Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.15

Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Hidden Treasure

Mrs. Rosey Posey is a woman every child in the neighborhood loves, in Robin Jones Gunn's Level 2 "I Can Read" book Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Hidden Treasure. The kids often come over to play; one day, Mrs. Rosey Posey, dressed like a pirate, brings them a treasure map. The children have been playing pirates in her tree house and are thrilled to add a treasure hunt to their game. They follow the map and various clues until they find a treasure chest - filled with Bibles and candy.

"You found the greatest treasure," Mrs. Rosey Posey says. "Did you know that God's Word is worth more than gold and is sweeter than honey?" She explains the Bible is full of adventure: "There are stories about giants and king and talking donkeys...Every word is true." The children beg her to read her a story from the Bible - and she does.

What I Like: If your child likes playing pirates or enjoys treasure hunts, this is a perfect book for him or her. I love how the author makes the Bible seem so fun while teaching a deep truth - that there is no treasure greater than God's word.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: about 5 - 8

Publishing Info: Zondervan, 2009; ISBN:  9780310868903; ebook, 32 pgs., $1.99

Buy the Kindle version for $1.99
Or buy the ebook at ChristianBook.com for $1.99

Mad Maddie Maxwell

In Mad Maddie Maxwell, a Level 1 "I Can Read" book by Stacie K. B. Maslyn, a young girl named Maddie is having a really grumpy day. She wants her jump rope, but can't find it. So she lashes out, accusing others of taking it. She yells at her younger sister, accusing her of taking the jump rope. Her younger sister insists she didn't, so Maddie stomps off to accuse her brother. He says he didn't take it, so Maddie stomps off to accuse her older sister, Missy. Missy smiles and suggests Maddie take a closer look around her room. Maddie just gets grumpier and grumpier, insisting someone took her jump rope - until Missy pulls the jump rope out from under Maddie's bed.

Now Maddie feels terrible. She's been really mean to her siblings. "No one will forgive me," she tells Missy. "I will forgive you," says Missy. "And God will too. Pray to him first and then talk to the others." Maddie listens to her big sister's advice, prays, and asks forgiveness. Everyone forgives her and they play jump rope together.

What I Like: Here is a simple story about forgiveness that every child can relate to. Maddie is just like a lot of kids - she has her grumpy days. But she knows that even when she fails, God will forgive her - and so will everyone else who loves her.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: Kindergarten - 2nd grade

Publishing Info: Zondervan, 2010; ISBN:  9780310714675; paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99

Buy Now at Amazon for $3.59 - or buy the Kindle version for $1.99
Or buy at ChristianBook.com for $3.49

The Best Bibles for Early Readers

It's never too early to instill the habit of daily Bible reading in your child. That's why, as soon as my daughter could read even a little bit, I was eager to find her a Bible she could read on her own. Yes, I still read both a "real" Bible and a good storybook Bible to her, but she has always taken delight and pride in having a Bible she can read herself.

Sadly, though, it isn't all that easy to find Bibles designed for young children or early readers. I've looked at all of them that are currently in print - and this post will, I hope, help you wade through them much more easily, discovering which one is right for your child.

NOTE: The term "early reader" is vaguely applied in the publishing industry, but for our purposes, it means any book designed for children who are still learning to read independently. Often, such books are labeled "I Can Read" with the level of difficulty (1, 2, and 3) suggested on the cover. In this post, I am not referring to NIrV Bibles, which are often marketed as "early reader" Bibles, but which require a greater level of proficiency to read than leveled readers.

The Hear-Me-Read Bible by Dr. Mary Manz Simon

I believe this is currently the best Bible storybook for children who are just beginning to learn to read. The stories are short, there are only a few sentences per page; and the illustrations are vivid and interesting. If your child can't yet read level 1 early readers without help, The Hear-Me-Read Bible is an excellent choice. (Read our complete review here.)

My Read and Rhyme Bible Storybook by Crystal Bowman and Cindy Kenney

This is a rhyming storybook Bible. Each chapter begins with a word list, and after each story, there's another short list of words, plus a list of rhyming words. This is followed by questions for discussion. There are many things to love about this Bible. The writing is very good and the illustrations are cute. (In fact, this is my non-reading son's favorite Bible.) But I don't find it a very good early reader's Bible. I'd say it's about a low level 3 in it's reading difficulty - and by the time children are reading that well, they may object to the word lists and can probably read a more challenging Bible. (Read our complete review here.)

 

The Young Reader's Bible by Bonnie Bruno and Carol Reinsma

My daughter, who is just barely reading at Level 2, reads this Bible storybook daily. She needs some help with it, but not so much she becomes frustrated.  The stories are in big type, are short, and have attractive illustrations. Sadly, I was recently informed this book is going out of print - but you can still find copies at Amazon.

The Early Reader's Bible by V. Gilbert Beers

This one is very similar to The Young Reader's Bible. The stories are short, told in larger-than-average type, and accompanied by attractive illustrations. My daughter thinks this book is slightly harder to read than The Young Reader's Bible, but if it is, it's only slightly so. Each story ends with "Something to Ask" (questions to ask yourself) and "Something to Do" (which are sometimes just more questions, but sometimes also encourage action). If I had to choose between The Early Reader's Bible and The Young Reader's Bible, I personally would choose the latter.

 

My Learn to Read Bible by Tracy Harrast

If you like rebus books - that is, books that replace certain words with pictures so kids can "read" - this title may be a good choice for you. This is a large book with lots of colorful illustrations, targeted toward very young children. To use it, though, children will have to memorize what many of the pictures mean. For example, they have to understand that one image of a man is Jesus, another is a shepherd, and another just means "man." I am not a huge fan of rebus books - although they can be handy for children who are eager to read, but can't yet.

And a few Bible storybooks that look like they are for beginning readers, but are not:

 

The Beginner's Bible by Kelly Pulley: This is more of a read-to-me storybook Bible than a book beginning readers can read to themselves. (See our full review here.) 

The Beginning Reader's Bible with illustrations by Marijke ten Cate: Of all the Bibles I've seen marketed toward early readers, this one fails the test most miserably. The reading level is pretty high; it's excerpts from the International Children's Bible, and suitable only for children who are passed (or nearly passed) level 3 readers. In addition, some parents may object to the mature nature of some of the content. (For more information, read our complete review, here.) If your child can read this Bible storybook, I think you're better off giving him or her a complete International Children's Bible.

Read with Me Bible by Dennis G. Jones: This book isn't for early readers. It's designed to be read to toddlers. (Read our full review here.) There is also the NIrV Read with Me Bible, but again, why give your child a collection of excepts when he or she can read a complete NIrB Bible?