When I first decided to do this series, I made a list of about 20 books (and DVDs *grin*) I wanted to share with you. The other 11, I’ve been researching. I bought 3 from Amazon this week (so far 1 is a no-go and the other 2 are hopefuls). I checked out 2 from the library today (and they look pretty good). I’ve also had a few publishing companies contact me about new Bibles and storybooks that are coming out right now. They had no idea I was doing this series, it just worked out perfectly for me to share them with you!
Of course, I am hoping the books they send me are actually books I want to share with you! Thankfully, today’s book is a good one! It’s called the Adventure Bible Storybook. Adventure Bible. Does that sound familiar? Well, it should because it’s the same one Lydia has!
Apparently, the Adventure Bible is the #1 Bible for kids and there is a whole slew of editions and special books in this series. (I’ll link to them below or you can browse the Adventure Bible website.) This storybook version is for kids 4-8 and since that is my kids’ demographic, I think I can tell you pretty accurately how much they like it.
When we got it in the mail, we were in the truck ready to run errands. So, the kids looked through the book as we drove. I didn’t hear a peep out of them for 15 minutes at least. But that could have to do with the fact that this is the deluxe version which includes full audio of every single story!
You can read along (not like a turn-the-page-on-the-chime, bummer) while every story is told with sound effects and dramatic voice actors. It was really entertaining. We probably listened to about eight of them back to back and I was pleased with each one. Not only are they high quality, I think they made them kinda low-key and relaxed so they’d be perfect to listen to before bed! What a great way to get in the habit of bedtime devotions!
I haven’t read every single story in the book but so far so good. They don’t have a common theme like the Jesus Storybook Bible. They aren’t trying to make a huge application or be a devotional. They are just storybook retellings of the Bible events. Some of the stories started in the middle or the end–for example, the story of the Lost Son from Luke 15 began when the son is in the pig pen and is thinking about his past and what he should do now. Some of them are from a character’s point of view–like a Hebrew child tasting manna for the first time. I think both are good story-telling devices, especially if your kids have heard the story before. Each story also include a Bible verse to memorize and a small paragraph of additional info or fun facts.
The other great thing about it is the illustrations–full color from edge to edge! That’s my fave! All in all, I’m impressed. What I really want to do (which means I’ll think of it 100 times and probably do it 10) is to set up the CD with headphones and the Bible and have the kids read along with a story every morning before school. Again, trying to get them in the habit of doing a morning quiet time in the Word.
If you’re looking for a Bible storybook for a younger child, I’d recommend this one because of the short stories and the great illustrations. I think the deluxe version with the CDs would be good for any age because of the ability to read along–or simply listen to the whole Bible in about 2 hours!
Whatcha’ think? How would you use this book and CDs?
Oh, and just a few extra posts I thought of about doing devotions with younger kids: Our Handmade Camping Devos and Quiet Time For New Readers
