A concise introduction to most of the best-known stories from the Christian Bible, with bright, cheery illustrations and a small trim designed for younger children.
The stories are necessarily shortened and summarized, following the progression of the Old and New Testaments in standard fashion. The most familiar stories are all there, including the Creation story, Noah’s Ark, Daniel in the lions’ den, and David and Goliath, as well as others that are not as well known. The life of Jesus is told in 22 short segments, including several of the Parables. Each story is told in one page of text with an illustration on the opposite page. The volume’s cozy size, slightly padded cover and simple, uncluttered illustrations seem to indicate the audience as preschoolers, but some of the stories are more suitable for school-age children, due to difficult names or concepts. The small size of the book makes this a better choice for reading to just one or two children rather than to a larger group.
There aren’t many collections of Bible stories for young children with such a concise text and attractive illustrations, and this could be used in creative ways with a wide age-range of children. (Picture book/religion. 3-7)Pub Date: July 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7459-6264-1
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Lion/Trafalgar
Review Posted Online: May 9, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2012
Categories: CHILDREN'S RELIGION
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Rhyming text and colorful multicultural illustrations reassure young readers of God’s omnipresence and still small voice.
“Where in the world is God’s voice found?” Perhaps in ocean waves, bird song, or mountain vistas, suggest the couplet rhymes. Even when readers might be faced with difficult emotions and distractions of all kinds, the text reassures them that God is still there and still speaking, if only one pauses to listen. His voice can be found in nature, in starlight, in the love of family and friends, in dreams, and “through His Word.” Admirably, the bright illustrations, reminiscent of mid-20th-century Disney artist Mary Blair’s stylings, depict children and families with a diverse array of skin tones and ages. There is also a refreshing mix of urban, suburban, and rural settings. Yet, despite the appealing illustrations, the rhymes and scansion are often forced (“your feelings, they matter, / even if they’re all mixed up like / pancake batter”), which detracts from the overall message. Contrived couplets notwithstanding, this title will likely find an audience among Christian households seeking reassuring bedtime reads.
Though the rhyme tumbles and at times bumbles, enticing imagery will lure readers in. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-525-65385-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: WaterBrook
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
Categories: CHILDREN'S RELIGION
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The annual harvest from farm to table is explored with a religious perspective, focusing on Christian harvest traditions and the Jewish celebration of Sukkot.
Crisp color photography highlights children in scenes of farming and the harvesting of fruits and vegetables. The book features several instructive points about the variety of produce available, the harvest concept and sharing. Finally, it covers two different yet corresponding religious ways to observe the harvest and thank God. Church-based harvest festivals are illustrated by the decorating of a church with various breads, wheat stalks and baskets of food. Sukkot is shown with the building and decorating of a Sukkah and how this symbol of a shelter or hut relates to the ancient Jewish celebration. An informative and eye-catching design on glossy paper offers a large, multicolored print, the majority of text blocks in black against soft pale backgrounds, with key words in bold blue; these are repeated in a vocabulary border at the bottom of each page. The text is largely framed in questions, encouraging personal response and discussion. The simplicity and functionality of the book’s premise is enhanced with an addendum of teaching suggestions for specific pages and more detailed background information about the concepts presented.
This will serve well in both religious and nonreligious settings for fall curriculum support. (websites, index) (Informational picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: May 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-237-54373-0
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Evans/Trafalgar
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014
Categories: CHILDREN'S RELIGION
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