Kristina Gives Thanks for The Jesus Storybook Bible

The last few years haven't been the easiest for my family. We've struggled with health issues, money issues (paychecks don't go as far as they used to!), feelings of isolation from our family, and feelings of betrayal from people we thought were friends. But, boy, have we grown spiritually! I'm thankful for the fact that now, as a family, we are more focused than ever on God. I'm also thankful we are working toward a long time dream: To move away from the suburbs (and a city that seems less and less family friendly) and into a rural area. God willing, by next year we'll be living very near family, in the middle of God's beautiful forest.

But this a blog is about books. I am certainly thankful, as I pack the gazillion books we own, that we have such easy, ready access to books. And as I learn about people throughout the world whose governments make owning a Bible illegal, I'm thankful that I have multiple copies of the Bible. But the Bible I may be most thankful for is The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones (and illustrations by Jago). Not only has this children's Bible storybook been a huge blessing for my children - teaching them important, deep spiritual truths - but it's taught me a lot about the Bible, too. And I'm not the only adult who feels this way. In fact, so many adults wrote to Jones about The Jesus Storybook Bible, that she created a version just for adults, called The Story of God's Love For You.

What I Like: I absolutely love how Jones goes way beyond mere retelling of Bible stories in The Jesus Storybook Bible. She not only links all the stories included in the book to Jesus, but she manages to express spiritual truths in such a simple, easy to understand way. I cannot recommend this book enough.

What I Dislike: Nothing!

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: Toddlers through adults.

 
Publisher Info: Zondervan, 2007; ISBN: 978-0310708254; hardback, 352 pgs., $17.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99
  
Or Buy it at Amazon.com for $9.98.

Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing

Sally Lloyd-Jones is my favorite Christian children's author, and she has not let me down with her book Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing.

In Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing, Sally Lloyd-Jones takes Bible accounts and accounts from the lives of well known Christians, breaks them into small, bite-sized pieces that children can easily comprehend, and then ties in Scripture that shows God's great love, grace, and mercy towards us.

Each devotional page contains two to three small paragraphs that discuss a specific Bible account or a simplified biography of a well known Christian from history and relates the account to the particular biblical principle being focused on that day. The reading is followed up by a verse or paraphrase of a verse that completes the reading.

For instance, on page 186, the biblical principle is that faith in Christ brings light. The author briefly explains that most people believe faith is blind, but God's Word says the opposite. She goes on to show how John Newton, the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace,"  explained the change in his life with the words, "I once was blind... but now I see!" The selection ends with a reading of John 8:12.

At the end of the book, there is a "Bibliography and Sources- (or More Things to Think About)" section with a list of where the author sites direct quotes from others (C. S. Lewis, D. L. Moody, and Jonathan Edwards, to name a few) that were used throughout the book.

The presentation of this book makes it perfect to give as a gift. The leather bound edition comes in an illustrated box that matches the illustrations inside the book.

What I Like: Each devotional in Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing is short (most being one page) but holds a lot for one to think about.

For me, one of the highlights of Sally Lloyd-Jones books has always been the illustrations. Once again, Sally Lloyd-Jones has teamed up with Jago (the illustrator of The Jesus Story-book Bible), who does not disappoint! The illustrations are a perfect match for the devotional of the day. Recalling the illustration brings to mind the passage for the day, and vice versa.

What I Dislike: I liked everything about this book. 

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: The publisher states the age range at juvenile. I think children 5-12 years old would enjoy this book.

Publisher Info: Zonderkids, 2012; ISBN: 978-0-310-74338-5; paperback (leather bound), 224 pgs., $22.99

Buy It Now at Christianbook.com for $16.49

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $16.55

Special Info: You might want to read other reviews of books written by Sally Lloyd-Jones.

Song of the Stars

Written in free-flowing, poetic style, popular children's book author Sally Lloyd Jones turns the original Christmas story into something true, but different, in Song of the Stars.

"The world was about to change forever. And it almost went by unnoticed..." Jones begins. In the subsequent pages she imagines how nature might have reacted to the birth of the Savior. Leaves "rustle with a rumor," the wind "whispered it softly in the sycamore trees," a "big brown bear sniffed the air," "the skies shouted it to the seas that thundered it to the waves that roared it to the great white whales that sang it to the starfish in the deep"...and so on. Once in a while, an animal or plant cries, "It's time! It's time!," "Be glad!" "The Mighty King!", or "The Bright and Morning Star!"

The vivid illustrations by Alison Jay depict nature - presumably around the world - reacting to Jesus' birth, until finally we see Bethlehem with shepherds, sheep, and angels surrounding it, then a little barn, then a baby surrounded by animals, then the baby held by his mother and surrounded by animals, then Jesus' family. "Our Rescuer!" Mary cries, and all "gazed in wonder at God's great gift...Heaven's Son sleeping under the stars that he made."

What I Like: This picture book is unlike any Christmas book you've probably ever seen before. Jones' fresh take on the subject matter is based solidly on biblical fact, but shows plenty of imagination and creativity, too. I am reminded of Psalm 96, where the Bible says Jesus' return will be met with a roaring sea and rejoicing trees. Then would it be any wonder if nature rejoiced at his birth?

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 and up, but my 3 year old enjoyed it, too.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2011; ISBN: 978-0310722915; hardback, 32 pgs., $15.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $10.87

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $5.99

Special Info: Read our other reviews of books by Sally Lloyd Jones.

Interview with Author Sally Lloyd-Jones

For this month's Insider Column, I am so excited to interview renowned children's author Sally Lloyed-Jones about her life, writing, books, and faith.

Sally is a British-born children’s book writer who moved to the States in 1989—"just for a year or two"—but she’s still here. She worked in children's book publishing for many years, and left to write full-time. She also lives in Manhattan and loves to run—sometimes in marathons. Sally is a well-known and widely published author of 20+ children's books. Among her best-known books are The Jesus Storybook Bible, Lift the Flap Bible, The Ultimate Guide to Grandmas & Grandpas!, Time to Say Goodnight, Being a Pig Is Nice: A Child's-Eye View of Manners, How to be a Baby by Me, the Big Sister, and Baby's Hug-a-Bible.

CCBR: We are extremely excited to talk with you this month, Sally. Thank you for joining us! Tell us a little bit about yourself. You are a Brit who was born in Kampala, Uganda, and raised in East and West Africa. How did that shape your early reading, and eventually your professional writing?

Sally: I felt life first as an adventure. And I think my best writing still comes from that place of adventure - of freedom and abandon and play. And reading was just another part of that adventure. The first book I ever read all the way through was Edward Lear's The Complete Verse. Nothing has been the same since.

CCBR: When did you first discover your desire to write books? How did you get started?

Sally: I always loved writing. It just took me a while to find my niche. I tried writing one-act plays, and wrote dreadful moaning poems as a teenager. Then I ended up working as an editorial assistant in the history school textbooks division at Oxford University Press. Down the corridor from me was the children’s book department - and I heard wafts of guffawing laughter all the time. I knew then and there - that’s where I belong.

CCBR: How long does it take you to write a book? What is your writing process like?

Sally: Each book is different. With picture books, they’re like seeds. You can’t force them. They take root and have their own time to grow. Your job is to show up and water them, prepare the soil, etc. Usually with picture books - which I think of as poems - I’ll work on a text, then leave it to “cool off” (as Madeleine L’Engle used to say), then come back to (sometimes a year later), work on it some more, then leave it for a few more months. So sometimes a very simple-seeming text has been growing for several years...So a lot of it is about patience and trust. Then with other books - like The Jesus Storybook Bible - I had a deadline and wrote that in a year.

But in the end, I don’t think you can really say how long a book takes to write - because it takes a year PLUS your whole life that brought you to that point where you wrote it.

CCBR: What is the purpose behind your books? Why did you decide to write children's books?

Sally: My purpose is simply to try and write the best book I can write - to tell the story the best way that I can. If you come at a story with an agenda I think you won’t do a good job. You might write a good essay or a good book of apologetics maybe, but it won’t be a good story. You will be shoehorning the story in to fit your agenda. It’s more mysterious than that, storytelling. Your job as the writer, it seems to me, is to get out of the way and let the story through. The story will take care of the rest.

CCBR: You have also written a number of books for general children's audiences. How did you come to write books for a Christian children's audience? How would you define your faith?

Sally: I actually don’t separate out audiences into Christian or non-Christian. I always just write for children. And with The Jesus Storybook Bible my goal was to retell this incredible story in the best way I could, in a way that children could understand - no matter their background or faith. And in a way that didn’t dumb it down - that preserved the mystery and the wonder.

CCBR: How does your faith influence what you write?

Sally: Faith is at the center of my life - faith, redemption, wonder, joy - so it infuses everything. And if redemption and joy is at the center of your life, then that will necessarily come out in whatever you write. Without even thinking about it or trying. You won’t be able to help it.

CCBR: One of your most popular Christian children's books is The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name. How did you come to write it?

Sally: I wrote it so children could know that God loves them with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.

CCBR: Are there more books in store from you? Can you give us an insider's preview of what might be coming down the road?

Sally: I have quite a few coming over the next year or so - mostly picture books. Some in verse, some young, some funny, some silly, some serious. But they are all my favorites!

CCBR: Thank you so much for spending time with us, Sally. We love learning more about you!

LEARN MORE ABOUT SALLY & HER BOOKS:

• Sally's web site
• SLJ on Twitter
• www.sallylloyd-jones.blogspot.com and http://sallylloyd-jones.posterous.com
• Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook fan page
• Sally Lloyd-Jones Facebook fan page
• CCBR Reviews of Sally's Books

Kristina's Top 10 Kids' Books

Recently, New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof wrote about his pick of the top 10 best children's books of all time. His article garnered some controversy, and we at Christian Children's Book Review found ourselves wondering how we would choose differently.

However, as we began compiling our own "Top 10" lists, we started to have more sympathy for Kristof. As any book lover can tell you, choosing just 10 books for a list of favorites is a true challenge. Tell us to write about our favorite 100 books, and we'll find the task much easier. But there is value in brevity, so for the next few days, we'll each post our personal list of the best 10 children's books ever written.

Personally, I found many much-loved books (Curious George, anyone?) didn't make it onto my list. I'm sure each reviewer at CCBR found the same. This doesn't mean we don't read these books - often! - to our children, and it doesn't mean we don't recommend them. It just means there were 10 other books we thought were better.

So without further appology, here's my personal list of the top 10 kids' books of all time:


10. Stories Jesus Told by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen. I've yet to find a better children's book about Jesus' parables. Simple text, fun illustrations - a really terrific book for kids! Read my full review here.

9. Aesop's Fables. Although these old stories (actually, they are anecdotes) frequently mention Roman gods (especially Jupiter), they offer wise advice children and adults can both learn from.

8. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. There are many great Dr. Seuss books, but this is probably the best. What kid can't relate to thinking they don't like a food, even though they've never tasted it?

7. The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne. What child can resist the sweet and bumbling Pooh Bear, gloomy Eeyore, fearful Piglet, exuberant Tigger, and all the other friends of the Hundred Acre Wood? If you've never read the original Winnie the Pooh stories, you're in for a whimsical treat!

6. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. If I could only choose one book for my babies, it would be Goodnight Moon. Although the text is deceptively simple, this story has mad appeal for young children, who love to hear (and see - there are many details to discover in the black and white and brightly colored illustrations) about a young rabbit who just can't seem to fall asleep.

5. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. A beautiful tale about loving and being loved, The Velveteen Rabbit will warm the hearts of gradeschool children and parents alike.

4. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. A charming tale of guilt, redemption, and love, especially ideal for girls from first grade to - well, adulthood.

3. The Laura Ingalls Wilder collection by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Follow the high and low points of an average girl and learn a whole lot about American frontier history in these books based on the author's real life.

2. Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. If I had to choose just one Bible for my children, this would be it. The illustrations fascinate my daughter, and the text is not only interesting to even small children, but every story told points to the fact that the entire Bible is about Jesus. Read my full review here.

1. Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales by Beatrix Potter. It's impossible for me to pick just one Beatrix Potter tale to include in this list. With gorgeous illustrations and delightful stories about Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddleduck, Tom Kitten and more, no family should be without the complete Beatrix Potter collection.

Our Favorite "First" Bibles

Tanya, Beverly, and I are all moms of little ones, and we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the choices in children's Bibles these days. (When I was a kid - way back when! - all the kids I knew had the same children's Bible. I think it was the only one in print.)

To help you sort through all the choices, we thought we'd post a bit about what our favorite "first" Bibles for infants and toddlers are, and why we love them.

Kristina: There are three "first" Bibles I recommend, but one isn't technically a Bible at all. It's Little One's Bible Verses by Stephen Elkins. This sturdy, padded board book is perfect for introducing infants to God's word. Each page features a sweet illustration (featuring babies, small children, and animals) accompanied by a short verse from the Psalms. My daughter loved this book from the time she was an infant - and now that she's two, she has many verses memorised. Please read my full review here.

For toddlers, I highly recommend The Busy Bible. This is a handmade "quiet time" book devoted entirely to Bible stories. You can zip open the big fish's mouth to discover Jonah, take animals in and out of Noah's ark, learn the days of creation with fun flaps, help the good Samaritan put bandages on the wounded man, snap fish out of the sea and put them in Peter's net, and much more! My daughterbegs to play with this Bible. Please read my entire review here.

For kids who are ready for a Bible storybook, there are several good choices, but my favorites are The Big Picture Bible Storybook by David Helm and The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. Tanya will tell you more about the first book. The second book is similar in concept: It covers the Bible in such a way that we see everything in the Good Book points to Jesus. Now that my girl is a little older, we alternate between The Jesus Storybook Bible and The Big Picture Bible Storybook, and I'm sure she really is getting the "big picture" about the Bible, God, and Jesus. Please read my entire review of The Jesus Storybook Bible, here.

Tanya: Choosing a first Bible is tough! Infants don't understand much and the Bible is complex. Throw in some tiny hands and destructive teeth and the choice becomes even more difficult. You want accuracy, but you also want it to be age-appropriate. The details are not always as important as the point. The two Bibles I've chosen to highlight are actually story Bibles.

First, for infants and toddlers, I recommend My Bible Storybook, part of the God Counts! series. It's a stong boarbook with great content. Each of the 10 stories is accented with die-cut pictures and 3-D plastic images, fun for busy, tactile learners. Read my full review here.

Once the kids pass the infant stage, my favorite Bible is The Big Picture Story Bible. Rather than bogging down busy minds with details of all the different stories of the Bible, this book emphasizes the unity of Scripture and its one main theme: God loves us and will always keep His promises to us. This book holds my kids' attention more than anything else. Furthermore, it helps them connect the dots between all the Bible stories they learn here and at Sunday School. You can read my full review here.

Beverly: I also have three “first Bibles” to recommend. The first, 100 Bible Stories 1oo Bible Songs, by Steven Elkins, was given to my daughter as a birthday present when she turned one. We read this book to her regularly. It is a Bible storybook that retells the beloved Bible stories we all learned as young children. We have found this to be very biblically accurate, and the pictures are eye catching. I like this “first Bible” for young children because it only gives them as much information as their little minds can handle! You can read my review of this book here.

The NKJV Precious Moments Collector Edition Bible is a wonderful first Bible for a child. I recommend this Bible for a child that is at least four years old, and can treat a book with care. My sister received an earlier edition when she learned to read. There are beautiful, full color illustrations and numerous black and white ones in this Bible, as well as companion stories that can be used as teaching tools or devotionals. Read my review to see what else this Bible has to offer.

The Child’s Story Bible, by Catherine F. Vos, is close to my heart because my parents used it with me, and I used it to teach my classes of Sunday school children. Lord willing, I will use it with my children when they are old enough. My favorite thing about this Bible storybook is the beautiful language that speaks to a child’s heart. The gospel is artfully woven into every aspect of this classic. You can find out more in my review, here.

Old MacNoah Had an Ark

Old MacNoah Had an Ark, written by popular Christian children's book author Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jill Newton, puts a biblical twist on the traditional children's song "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."

Each page of this book is filled with vivid, whimsical art sure to capture any young child's imagination. And the text, which may be sung or read, will be familiar and fun. The author begins:

"Old MacNoah built an ark, Ee-i-ee-i-o.
And for that ark he got some wood. Ee-i-ee-i-o.
With a BANG! BANG! here
And a BANG! BANG! there..."

and so on. Next, we read that MacNoah brought cows on board (appropriate mooing ensues), followed by ducks ("Quack! Quack!") and pigs ("Oink! Oink!"). Then "on that ark they had some rain;" the animals have lunch, and lots of slurping and burping follows. "And on that ark it got quite smelly" (..."With a "Poo! Poo! here and a Poo! Poo! there..."). The ark lurches in the rough waters, making the animals say "oopsie-daisy!" Finally, they see dry land and cry "Ya-hoo!...And no more ark now, here's the end," followed by all the sounds that have already been covered.

What I Like: Young children will definitely find this book fun (potty humor included), and if they think it's fun, they are far more likely to be interested in the full story of Noah and the ark.

What I Dislike: I have mixed feelings about Christians changing traditional rhymes and songs. This method can be useful, but I hate to see it over-used.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but toddlers will love this book, too.

Publishing Info: Harper Blessings, 2008; ISBN: 006055717; hardback, $16.99.

Buy Now at Christianbook.com for $12.99.

Or buy at Amazon.com for $13.25

Special Info: You may wish to visit the author's or the illustrator's website. Also, check out our other reviews of books by Sally Lloyd-Jones.

My Merry Christmas

There are lots of books telling the biblical Christmas story, but My Merry Christmas by Sally Lloyd Jones, has several unique qualities.
The first thing you'll notice (and which will capture your child's avid interest) is that the book is glittery. Every single page has tiny sparkles highlighting it. It's also a die-cut board book, with many layers. The text is in kid-friendly rhyme and begins:

"What is Christmas? Do you know?
Gifts and food and lots of snow?
Twinkling lights and Christmas tree?
Angels, stars, and family?
Yes, all of that and even more!
So, what is Christmas really for?"

Then comes the really good part. Each page lists a common element of Christmas, and explains its spiritual meaning. On one side of the page, you'll see a picture of the biblical Christmas, while on the other side, you'll see a modern family celebrating Christmas in the usual way. For example, the first thing the author brings up is "light." Joseph is shown carrying a light while a pregnant Mary rides a donkey. The modern scene shows a family stringing lights onto a Christmas tree. The text tells us light symbolizes that Jesus is "a light for us."

"...and so we say,
'This Christmastime and every day
Light our path, dear Lord, we pray.'"

The author also explains about angels on top of the tree (which remind us angels sang the night Jesus was born); Christmas trees (which are evergreen and therefore symbolize everlasting life); a star atop the tree (which reminds us of the star the wise men followed); and gifts (which remind us that "God loves you and me").
What I Like: I love the illustrations, which show the true Christmas story alongside our modern celebration of those events. I also really like how the author explains basic Christmas symbolism in a kid-friendly way. This is currently my two year old's favorite Christmas book. She loves the glitter and die-cut holes, and I'm sure she's absorbing the good spiritual stuff, too.
What I Dislike: Nothing.
Overall Rating: Very Good.
Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 3 to 6, but younger children will enjoy it, too.
Publishing Info: Clearwater, 2003; ISBN: 0784714495; board book, $11.99.
Buy Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99.
Or buy at Amazon.com for $10.16

Little One, We Knew You'd Come

Little One, We Knew You'd Come, is a lyrical celebration of motherhood and the baby born that first Christmas. As all good picture books should, the text and illustrations share equal portion in telling this story.

Award-winning author Sally Lloyd-Jones gives an intimate portrayal of the hope and anticipation held by Mary, Joseph and all those waiting for the Messiah to come. Her words are tender and passionate; they speak the heart of all mothers waiting for their precious little ones to be born. Coupled with Jackie Morris's gorgeous illustrations, Ms. Jones's poem becomes an awesome story of faith.

While mostly watercolor, the illustrations are remarkably bold and detailed. They depict Mary and Joseph's journey, their stay with animals in a stable, shepherds and angels, even the trek of the magi. The pages (and cover) are accented in gold (glitter on the cover). Celtic style borders are also used.

What I Like: Everything. The illustrations are amazing! This book would not be the same without them. The text is heartfelt, renewing a sense of awe in the birth of Jesus. Also, not many children's books emphasize the promise of Jesus, the messianic prophecies. This one hints at that, at the longing and yearning of the Jewish people for their Savior. It's wonderful.

What I Dislike: This not a dislike as much as a caveat: don't make this the only Nativity book in your child's library. While an excellent book, it requires much explanation, especially for younger children. The characters are never named. It's obvious who they are because of the illustrations, but someone who doesn't know the story might be confused.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Little, Brown Young Readers, 2006; ISBN: 0316523917; Hardback; $16.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $12.99!
Or buy it at Amazon for $11.55.

Special Info: Visit the author's website or the illustrator's website.

My Thankful Heart

If you’re looking for a book to make your young child aware of praising God, try My Thankful Heart by Sally Lloyd-Jones.

The book begins:

“What can we say thank you for?
Loads of things...and then some more!
(Saying thanks is what you do
When someone’s been kind to you.)"

The author then goes on to explain that God made everything...and he made it for people. She then encourages children to thank God for making the world, clothes, food, the ability to run and play, and everything else we need. She also encourages them to thank God for making them. She goes on to explain that God loves us unconditionally.

The book ends:

"Happy or sad, wherever we go
Here is something that we know:
God we love you! Yes we do!
ALL WE HAVE, it comes from...YOU!"

The illustrations by Patricia Jennings shows lots of small children in a sketchy, but colorful fashion. We see falling leaves and pumpkins, which makes this book especially great for the Thanksgiving season...but the message is good any time of the year!

What I Like: This is a simple introduction to God’s gifts to us, and our ability to thank him.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: Infants through preschoolers.

Publishing Info: Tyndale, 2004; ISBN: 1414300646; board book, $8.99.

Buy Now at Christianbook.com for $7.49.

Tiny Bear's Bible

Tiny Bear's Bible is the newest offering from Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of three best-selling children's Bibles. (She also wrote The Jesus Storybook Bible, which is a Top Pick here at CCBR.) This newest children's Bible is a boardbook version illustrated by Igor Oleynikov. Its novelty is found in the fur. Both front and back covers are wrapped in a thick, soft bear's fur.

Inside readers find eleven Bible stories told through rhyming verse. A distinction between this children's Bible and all others is the voice. Each story is told as if a parent is reading to his child, more specifically, that a mother or father bear is reading to "Tiny Bear." Each Bible story is one or two paragraphs (typically four stanzas long) followed by one paragraph (two to four stanzas) of application, spoken directly to Tiny Bear.

Here is chapter list showing the included stories:

• God Makes the Whole Wide World, Genesis 1-2
• God Promises to Rescue Noah, Genesis 6-9
• God Keeps Moses Safe, Exodus 1-2
• David Fights a Horrible Giant, 1 Samuel 17
• God Protects Daniel in the Lions' Den, Daniel 6
• Jesus Is Born, Luke 2
• Jesus Stops a Scary Storm, Mark 4
• The Lord's Prayer, paraphrase of Matthew 6
• The Friend of Sinners (Jesus befriends Zacchaeus), Luke 19
• God Makes Jesus Alive Again!, Matthew 27-28
• "I am with you always", Mark 10

Illustrations fill the pages. For each chapter, the left page shows the biblical account while the right page shows Tiny Bear living out the story.

What I Like: The illustrations are so unique! They are filled with colors, but the style sets them apart from from all other children's books. They are sophisticated, somewhere between a stippled design and impressionism. As a former art student, I was quite taken by them. My son loves the fur! He has been hesitant to read through many children's Bibles, but he loves this one. I love the applications with each story. It forces parents and children to think about what each story means for us today. As always, I appreciate the biblical references provided with each chapter.

What I Dislike: Between the fur, the text and the illustrations, this book seemed inconsistent to me. After playing with the outside, the inside completely surprised me. The outside is cutesy; the inside is not. It seems an odd combination to me. Also, I felt the Bible stories were simplistic and incomplete. There is never any explanation of why these things happened.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: Infant - Preschool (Reading level is grade 6 and above.)

Publisher Info: ZonderKidz, 2007; ISBN: 0310710820; board book; $12.99

Buy it Now from Christianbook.com for $10.99!

Bible Encyclopedia

Have you ever wondered what early Christians used for toothpaste? In the Bible Encyclopedia : A first reference book, you'll find the answer to that question and many more. Written by Etta Wilson & Sally Lloyd Jones, this Bible Encyclopedia will tell you about clothes early Christians wore and the food they ate. What type of games did the kids play? How did the Olympics get started? The cartoon illustrations by Steven D. Schindler are clear, colorful, and plentiful. This is an excellent source to keep in your classroom, or at home. When curiosity gets the best of your kids, you'll have 24 informative pages to keep them occupied.

What I Liked: Everything. I especially liked how much information is packed into only 24 pages. Pictures cover every page; characters are set up similar to a comic book.

What I Disliked: Nothing. I use this book in Sunday School class and at home. Children love it! They always ask to look at it. They think it's cool to see how early Christians use to live. I have to admit, It's hard for me to put it down!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 8 to 12

Publishing Info: The Standard Publishing Company ; 1995 ; ISBN 0-7847-0344-2

Buy it now at Amazon $11.99

My Promise Rainbow

The books I've read by Sally Lloyd-Jones have never let me down, and My Promise Rainbow is no exception. This board book tells the tale of Noah's ark, but in an unusual way. There is no chronological telling of the familiar biblical story...No mention of God telling Noah to build a big boat, no explanation given for why God flooded the world. Instead, My Promise Rainbow explains why the rainbow is a special Christian symbol.

No, you won't find God showing Noah a rainbow and saying that it's a promise not to flood the earth again; that would probably be a bit too much for young children to comprehend fully. Instead, Lloyd-Jones begins the book by asking what a rainbow is made of. Is it just random colors in the sky? Actually, the author says, "a rainbow's mostly made of love, and here's the reason why..."

It begins with Noah, the author tells us, when God told him: "A storm is coming, but I'll be with you. I'll keep you safe. My promise is true." Each subsequent two-page spread features a color of the rainbow and how it related to the story of Noah. For example, purple represents the scary storm, green is for the land and trees that were flooded, and red is for God's strong love. For each color, the theme of the book is repeated: "I'll keep you safe. My promise is true." The last two pages of the book feature modern children declaring that a rainbow is made of God's great love for us. "A rainbow is to show something that is true: God, who took care of Noah, will take great care of you."

But this is only the beginning of what's taught in My Promise Rainbow. Biblical truth comes first, and each page also features a flap with a Bible verse beneath it. For example, on the page where the storm begins, the flap reads: "A promise for when I'm scared: God said, 'Don't be afraid. I am with you.' Isaiah 43:5." The book also teaches colors; more flaps on each page have a color's name, and then various things that could be that color. On the green page, for example, flaps reveal "2 green frogs," "2 green turtles," etc. (Most things are shown in pairs, but there are a few examples of just one "thing.") The author also asks: "What else is green?" making each page a launching pad for conversation.

What I Like: Flaps are ideal for curious toddlers, and the colorful, playful illustrations by Patricia Jennings are perfectly kid-friendly. I also love that there are many ways to read this book. At one reading, you could focus just on the biblical story; at another reading, you could ask your child questions related to the Bible verses; at another reading, you could focus on learning colors; at another reading, you could work on animal names and sounds; etc. And, as usual, Lloyd-Jones does a great job of taking complex ideas and writing about them in a way that even small children can understand.

What I Dislike: Sometimes the rhyming text is awkward.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: Toddler to preschool.

Publishing Info: Standard Publishing, 2002; ISBN: 978-0784713570; board book, $11.99

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Special Info: Click here to read other reviews for Lloyd-Jones' books. You may also wish to visit the author's website.

The Jesus Storybook Bible

In Sally Lloyd-Jones' unique, kid-friendly style, The Jesus Storybook Bible tells 43 Bible stories from the book of Genesis through Revelation. But this book is more than a mere collection of Bible stories. Each story in some way relates to Jesus and who he is, giving children the big picture of what God is all about and how he planned for Jesus all along.

Here is an excerpt, to give you an idea of the author's writing style:

"God’s people had a new land. Now they wanted a king.

'But God is your King,' Samuel told them. 'He is the one who looks after you best.'

'We want a real king!' they said. 'One we can see!'

God knew that a king might not be kind to his people or look after them as well as he would. But God’s people didn’t care; they wanted a king and they wanted him now. So God gave them a king.

He was called Saul and he seemed like a good king — at first. But he became proud and stopped listening to God..."

What I Like: Sally Lloyd-Jones has a unique gift for writing for children. Her sense of humor is sprinkled throughout - and does not detract from the importance of the Bible's message. I also appreciate the author's clear understanding that parents must help children understand Bible stories are different from fairy tales. As she says: "You see, the best thing about this story is — it’s true. It takes the whole Bible to tell this story. And at the center of the story there is a baby. Every story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle — the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture." The illustrations by award-winning artist Jago are also engaging, colorful, and often look beyond the obvious.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 - 8, but many adults read and learn from this Bible, too.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2007; ISBN: 0310708257; hardback, $14.99.

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Special Info: You might also check our other reviews of books by of Sally Lloyd-Jones' books. In addition, the publisher's website includes an interview with the author. The author's and illustrator's websites may also be of interest.