When I was a Children’s Pastor I hated when kids brought Bible storybooks to church. We were teaching the Bible, learning Bible verses and going through passages of Bibles and kids would be searching through their baby Bible book to find the story of Elijah calling down fire from heaven!
I am still a big advocate of kids having and knowing a real Bible. However, I think Bible storybooks are such a good tool and supplement for parents to lead their kids to Jesus. The The Big Picture Interactive Storybook Bible is now one of my new favorites.
I got it in the mail this week–as a review–so I’ve been doing a little research to see the background of the Bible. I wanna know if it’s just a repackage (which many of the kids’ books in Christian bookstores are), if it’s written by someone who knows kids (or is it just a kids’ version of an adult book), if it’s backed by people who are passionate about putting quality God-centered, Biblical truths in the hands of kids and families (or by someone who just realized they need to expand their kids’ line) and are they trying to push some theological message?
The Big Picture Interactive Bible Storybook (seriously, that is a mouthful!) is part of the Gospel Project. The Gospel Project is a three year Bible Study for kids, students and adults that goes through the Bible focusing on the Gospel–on Jesus. The curriculum is for Sunday Schools or small groups and includes giant maps, worship music, take home papers, a parents app, videos and all sorts of cool things.
This storybook is apparently a supplement to the curriculum. It is also a perfect supplement to your bookshelf. The kids and I spent a half an hour at least playing with this book yesterday. Yes, playing with it.
The book begins with this great Parent Connection that explains what the Bible is and how it fits together. There are questions to start a conversation and even an activity to make a giant poster to use as you read this book together.
OK. So, already I love this! They aren’t giving you a book to put on your shelf or even just be on bedtime rotation. They are giving you the tools and assuming you are actually going to do this book together. And imagine if you did! What if you did dedicate a wall in your living room to a giant Bible poster? And you read a story every day (or a few days a week, let’s be real) and added pictures to this poster? Your kids would see the centrality of Scripture to your life. They couldn’t sit down to watch a television show without remembering God’s Word literally beside them!
Whew! I could jump up and down right now! I love this kind of stuff!
Where was I? Oh yeah…
Each story is only one page long. So, they aren’t super exciting and dramatic like the Jesus Storybook Bible. They are just nice one-page versions of the story. But each story ends with a “Christ Connection” to help point you and your kids to Jesus and his huge plan of salvation woven throughout the Bible. There is also a “big picture” question and answer–kind of your take away from the story.
Now, here’s the fun part. You can download the Augmented Reality app from B&H Kids on your phone or whatever-device and scan either the photo, icon or QR code on the page. If you scan the photo/icon (the icons are cool, too because they kinda categorize the story) a 3D image will pop up and a voice (Jenna Lucado) will tell a very short version of the story. It’s not interactive like the Fire Bible, but it’s pretty awesome.
If you scan the QR code (there’s not one on every page–probably only 20 in the whole book), there is a really fabulous video of the story. We watched three yesterday and were transfixed. One was told with paper bag puppets dressed as Moses and the Israelites (which was hilarious!) and the other was a CGI background with two live characters telling the story. I was really impressed.
So, basically you have a storybook that goes through the whole Bible (including all the prophets–stories I barely knew!), relating it back to Jesus, conversation starting questions, 3D art, audio narration and videos. Seriously, how cool is that?!
I’m really excited about this book. I think it could be a powerful way for your family to discover the Bible. And again, anytime my kids get excited about learning, listening or reading the Bible, then I’m all for it. As I write this, the kids are snuggled on the rug scanning videos and listening to God’s Word–what a gift!
I really think you should go ahead and put The Big Picture Interactive Storybook Bible on your Amazon wishlist along with The Big Picture of What God Has Always Wanted which is a companion to the Interactive Storybook–it’s a short picture book that tells the story of well, what God has always wanted—to have a relationship with us. There is a glossary of terms (Holy Spirit, Satan, Hell, Heaven, etc.) along with simple instructions for leading kids to salvation. It’s a nice introduction and concise re-telling of the Bible.
affiliate links included
Kristy says
My daughter was vanellope von schweetz from wreck it Ralph. No one knew who she was, but she was happy 🙂
Allison H says
Right now we are learning about Abraham and Isaac. Love being reminded of God’s faithfulness.
Jenna says
As a children’s pastor and parent, I’m always looking for new children’s Bibles!!! I’d love to get a copy of this!!! Thanks for the review!!!
Our Family for His Glory says
Amanda, I’ve just loved seeing your favorite Bible-books, and am always so excited to find new ones that truly have Christ at the center. Thank you!
~Jessica
Becky Grant says
My kids were a pirate and tinkerbell 🙂
Inga says
Love your blog! Looking forward to doing the truth in the tinsel this Christmas.
Bethany @ No Twiddle Twaddle says
We always love new story book Bibles. Thanks for the giveaway!
Dayahana M says
Definitely want to check out this bible. Looks like so much fun 🙂
Kristin Schulte says
I would love a copy of this Bible! I went to the MOPS convention, and the booth that was supposed to be selling them wasn’t able to get them for convention. So thankful for your review on it! Thanks!
Becky Ensinger says
I’d love this!
Deanna says
This book looks amazing! It would be fun to have the map on the wall. Love that that it’s made to do together.
Julie says
My oldest sons favorite story has always been Jonah and the whale. There’s nothing cuter than hearing a 2 year old learn to pronounce Nineveh, haha.
Cara Moody says
Hi!
Melinda Corey says
We love our Jesus Storybook Bible but are looking to add something novel to the rotation…this looks fun and I like how interactive it is.
SaraR says
So, pretty awesome indeed! My wishlist is steadily expanding thanks to these 31, er, 20 (21?) posts ;). I can’t remember if I mentioned awhile back about getting the Spanish version of the Bible that is all pictures but not in print. There are a few on Amazon just in Spanish but that’s not a big deal if you’re mostly wanting the pictures.
Yvette says
Pick me!
(Feeling tired after trick or treating in wind and rain.)
Thanks!!
Leigh says
How cool are these? I need to find something to help the boys get deeper into God’s purpose for us, and these sound great!!
Okaasan says
Great giveaway! 😀
Beth S says
I would love to win! Thanks!! 🙂
Jacki Rucksdashel says
I’d like one please!
yin says
me! me! please me!
Lisa says
I’m always looking for great resources that will point my kids to Christ. I’ll definitely be checking out this interactive Bible!
Jen says
Would love to win this! Looks great!
Lindsey Whitney says
Very fun! Sounds like a great Christmas present!
Stephanie Adele says
I would love this. I have been using several different books in combination with the Bible to teach my kids. I love that this teaches the “big picture” of the Bible, not just the individual stories.
Lauren says
I’d love to win this!
Laura says
Pick me! Pick me! Please, please, please pick me!
Donna Miller says
Awesome series of Bible books for kids! My first grandbaby was born just as you began this series… and I have been keeping this list as a wish list for her gifts as she grows! Her mom has been reading her Bible stories for months in the womb… Thanks for sharing so many neat books to nurture our little ones in the way God would have them to go!
Shannon S says
I have been loving this series! We love the Jesus Storybook Bible and the Beginning Reader’s Bible that I bought after reading about them here. I would love to share this fun version with my three kids as well!
Melanie says
It’s great to see how you feel about the books you feature. I don’t like to buy a book to discover thoughts we dotot support.
Sarah says
This is on my wish list and preorder!! 🙂 I love your reviews!!
Elizabeth says
Thanks for sharing your insight about these great Bibles! 🙂
Kristen S says
I’ve loved your series this month. You have recommended so many great tools for us parents!
Michelle says
Pick me!
Amy G says
Thanks for all the info on some great books!!
Melvi says
I would so enjoy reading this with my girls.
Erin says
I love your reviews! Thanks for this one! We loved Jesus Storybook bible and Jesus Calling — this would be a perfect for our next one.
katie says
Pick Me!
Melissa says
My daughter would absolutely love this!
Rachel Snowden says
Really enjoying this series and have recommended to other friends as well! This sounds like a great resource!
Amanda says
Ohhhh pick me, pick me!!! <3
Cynthia Prokop says
Pick me! My 6 year old Benjamin was a black cat, 4 year old Daniel was Woody & my sweet spirited 2 year old Rebekah was Minnie Mouse. Instead of trick or treating last night, due to inclement weather, we made obstacle courses for the children to complete to earn candy. Fun times!!
VBROWN says
oh! pick me!!!!
Amy L says
My girls would love this!
April R. says
Hi Amanda!
Thanks so much for this series! I am really enjoying it. 🙂 I have a three year old little boy who is pretty advanced verbally and with comprehension and I was wondering if The Big Picture Interactive Storybook Bible would be appropriate for him? We already own the Big Picture Bible and the Jesus Storybook Bible as well as the Beginners Bible and we read them on a daily basis! He loves them all!
I was also wondering what you recommend as far as a Bible for him (a 3-4 year old) that isn’t a storybook Bible because you mentioned not liking when kids brought Bible Storybooks to church. I understand what you are saying because he learned about Joshua and God stopping the sun and then he couldn’t find it in his own Bible 🙁 Any ideas?
I would love to win this!
Thanks for your help,
April
Nadia says
Please pick me.
Katie says
I hope to win, and I am loving this series! My girls are little (3 and nearly 1) and I am excited about building up some of these excellent resources for them. Thanks for all your hard work in sharing this with us!
Lisa Box says
Would LOVE this for my kiddos!
Suzanne says
I used to be a children’s pastor too and I so want this
Kathryn says
I’m hoping this is open to international posting – would be a fabulous couple of books to win. Otherwise will certainly be checking them out, plus the others you’ve reviewed – really appreciate your enthusiasm for all things kids and bible 🙂