The Jesus Storybook Bible (Jesus Storybook Bible)

by Sally Lloyd-Jones

[cherryblossommj]

How do I even begin? Ok, let’s start with the Bible. The Jesus Storybook Bible is enchanting and unlike any storybook Bible I have experienced thus far (and trust me, I’ve seen a few!). Every single story in this storybook Bible points to Jesus. From the creation and Adam and Eve’s fall, Jesus is the solution. In the building of the Tower of Babel, Jesus is the answer. When Abraham leads his son Isaac to the alter, Christ is the lamb promised. Every story, every parable, every word comes down to Jesus Christ from the beginning and all the way until the end. It is solid in a Biblical foundation and traces everything to redemption through Jesus.

Reading through the physical Bible is an experience with the vivid illustrations that definitely interest a child (any anyone’s mind). But there is so much more… listening to the audio version of the Bible is enchanting. David Suchet (reminds me of Jim Dale) reads with such voices that bring the characters off the page. We’ve found that you can read along, or just listen in the background – maybe during breakfast or getting ready for a nap. The beginning segment states is all and brings it to life.

“No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne—everything—to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!

You see, the best thing about this Story is—it’s true…[It’s a] Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.”

It makes my heart smile! If the Bible wasn’t already fabulous, and then the audio version even cooler, why not try to video version. In the curriculum, there are 44 short clip storybook animations to go along with the text. These are AppleBlossom’s favorite right now. She goes back and forth between asking to listen to the Bible or watch the Bible. How can you turn down that request?!

This Bible is the first children’s storybook Bible that I have found that doesn’t go too far in watering down the stories. It tells the harsh truth in certain circumstances but always brings it back around to the hope and joy that we can have in the love of the Lord. When I first started looking into The Jesus Storybook Bible I read a few reviews that mentioned a child being frightened of God not loving him after reading of Adam and Even thinking to themselves in question of whether God loved them once they had eaten the apple. The reviewer was adamant that it was from reading this Bible that her child developed an insecurity complex. But if she had read the whole story, and not just stopped while the going was tough then the reassurance that God does love us, will always love us and always be there because he loves us would shine through. (And I don’t just mean the WHOLE storybook – I mean each and every individual story, because every single one shines out his love and glory).

While with any change and Bible translation or novelization different readers can find flaw in interpretations and cause a fuss. My overall opinion is that the main message is there. Sure as your child grows and uses this and other Bibles they can learn about all the various elements and sides of God. Yet for what it is, this it the most detailed Bible with more stories and situations that I have seen thus far in a early elementary age and younger Bible storybook and I do recommend it.

*Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review.*