I have added two story book Bibles to the resources that I regularly use in my blog, The Cross in My Backyard.
But why add more and why so many?
The new books still fit my original criteria.
That was
A) they must be Biblically correct
B) words used must be child friendly, that is words they are learning to read, not too long or complicated so that a child can have a go at reading independently.
(The importance of them being user friendly is that two of the skills I want children to cultivate is daily practice and curiosity. Being able to independently read the books when able, means that the stories are accessible to them and not just through an adult.)
C) Pictures must be engaging and representative of real people from the stories homeland. This means that children are learning that God’s message is available to all not just those who look like a dominate cultural group.
D) must be easy to purchase.
E) preferably available as an English(UK) version so that young readers are not confused by the different spelling. ( NB. I live in Australia)
We need so many because
A) different ages are able to read to different levels
B) no one Bible story book has all the stories and readings that are in the Revised Common Lectionary.
The new books satisfy another need, that not all the stories are male concentric, thus there are more stories about the women in the Bible.
So, if you are following my blog from home you might want to add to your collection, that way you have a variety of story book Bibles at home. When I started writing this Blog I was encouraging churches to have these story book Bibles on hand so that the children attending could read them in the pews.
Now I want to encourage families to have them available at home.
Not just because the Covid pandemic has restricted our everyday to our homes, and so we are not worshipping outside our homes, but because we always should have had the Bible in an easily accessible way for our children or grandchildren at home.
These books are not for storage on the book shelves either, as Rev. Deacon Jenny Preston taught me, putting them there will mean that they are NOT touched.
Scatter them around the house.
I know our homes already have that extra cosy lived in look, but my experience has shown me that children are more curious when the books are easily accessible, so scatter them around the house, on tea tables, bedside tables, in the cubby house, wherever your kids play or relax.
And yes, if professional church leaders are reading this, when you can return to open churches, these story book Bibles should be spread around the church not sitting prettily in the bookshelf of the children’s worship area. Or to stay Covid safe encourage each family to have their own collection of story book Bibles and let them know which ones to bring, that is which Story book Bible has the readings in for that Sunday.
They don’t have to be books either, there are Apps of Children’s story book Bibles and many Story book Bibles are available as Ebooks. Carrying them with you is as heavy as your mobile phone, and as easily accessible where ever you are.
So, you have teenagers or your children have grown?
My own adult kids have been known to stop what they are complaining about and pick up one of the “kids” Storybook Bibles laying around my home. Hey have been known to ask questions or even search the “real” Bible if it brings something up for them. I know a congregation who discuss children’s books in their weekly cuppa get together or these days “Zoom” meetings, and there are NO children in that congregation.
If you have dyslexic learners, or are new to the English language, a story book Bible with the aid of great pictures can lessen the view that God’s word is for everyone but them, as they have trouble reading the Bible.
So here is the list of the Story book Bibles I use
The Beginner’s Bible . Easily setup with big pictures, large clear font, unfortunately it is in English(USA) Try https://www.koorong.com/product/the-beginners-bible-timeless-childrens-stories-beginners-bible_9780310750130?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koorong.com%2F
There is also a Beginner’s Bible for Toddler’s, a great size for little hands. https://www.word.com.au/The-Beginners-Bible-for-Toddlers/Beginners-Bible-Series/9780310424161
The Jesus Storybook Bible, engaging for all ages a great read to me Bible https://www.koorong.com/product/the-jesus-storybook-bible-sally-lloyd-jones-jago_0310708257?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koorong.com%2Fproduct%2Fthe-beginners-bible-timeless-childrens-stories-beginners-bible_9780310750130 OR
My First Read Aloud Bible and the 5 Minute Bible Stories, written and drawn by the same, author and illustrator. Personally, I prefer the former version as it just tells the story, there are prayers and leading questions in the second book, it is a larger book easier to read to a family or a small class. Each book has a story per double page spread, and is easily set out for young independent readers or for reading to the very young. TRY https://www.koorong.com/product/my-first-read-aloud-bible-mary-batchelor_9781860247712?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koorong.com%2Fproduct%2Fthe-jesus-storybook-bible-sally-lloyd-jones-jago_0310708257 OR https://www.koorong.com/product/5-minute-bible-stories-mary-batchelor-penny-boshoff_9781788930246? OR ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koorong.com%2Fproduct%2Fmy-first-read-aloud-bible-mary-batchelor_9781860247712
The Lion Picture Book Bible, more wordy than some, better suited for the established reader, pictures are engaging
The Lion Story Bible is for older children, with more mature representations than the aforementioned, Lion book, it also contains different stories.
The Rhyme Bible Storybook by L.J. Sattgast, rhyme is an important part of learning to read, and the rhymes are easy to read supported by full page colour illustrations by Laurence Cleyet-Merle
The Early Reader’s Bible, This is my least favourite, but it does tell some stories the other Story book Bibles leave out. The words are appropriate for independent readers, for me it’s the illustrations( which don’t fit my illustrations guidelines) and the Questions and Something to do pages that I don’t appreciate.
I am adding the
The Whirl Story Bible, set out clearly with more female focused stories. Suitable for Middle to Upper primary independent readers or reading to younger listeners. Clear pictures that support the text.
Children of God Storybook Bible by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, short listenable stories, easily referenced to the Bible references, with some stories not usually available in Storybook Bibles. Engaging illustrations, generally one story per 2 page spread.
The apps that I use and reference are
Both apps are free.
Creating a Story book Collection at home is a reasonable outlay, especially with all the difficulties this 2020 has brought. So give a book as a present, ask grandparents, uncles and aunts, godparents to help build your collection.
If you are in paid ministry, think about giving your families a story book Bible each year, or where you have children’s baptism give it as a gift.
What you are all investing in is good faith habits for a lifetime.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 