Born Again!

By Phil A. Smouse

Year: 2004

Publisher: Barbour Publishing, USA

Age: 4 -7 years

No. of Pages: 62

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN:  978 1 59310 099 5

Born Again belongs to the I Can Read God’s Word series for young children which features stories from the Bible written to suit little ones.

I liked this book because it explains complex verses like 2 Corinthians 5:17 in elegant simplicity and vividly colored illustrations to etch the truth in a young child’s mind.

Excerpt from Peace (Philippians 4: 4-7)

At all times, in every way, in all things, rejoice!

Let your heart be filled with joy.

You do not need to worry.

God hears your prayers. 

To Every Thing There is a Season

Illustrator: Jude Daly

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, London

Year: 2006

ISBN: 978-1-84507-363-3

This book was timely with our little children, when we had to explain to them the loss of a dear friend.

The book is packed with highly detailed and clever illustrations that merit a deep look to help one understand the story behind each verse. As a source of wisdom and comfort in times of need, this book deserves a place in your library.

The text is essentially from the Bible, Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verses 1-8 (King James Version).    

Excerpt

A time to weep, and a time to laugh,

A time to mourn and a time to dance,

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together…

Noah and the Ark

Illustrator: Chris Rothero

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Award Publications, London

Year: 1994

ISBN: 978-9-65483-007-2

This ‘see and say’ retelling of the biblical story engages even toddlers in the reading too, in a very creative way.  It simply replaces key words with images where parents can pause and allow the child say the name of the picture. Images within the text include Noah, ark, window, mountains and several animals.

Our 2-year-old was delighted to be able to ‘read’.

Excerpt

In seven days down came the rain. And how it rained! It rained and rained until all the land was covered with water. The (ark) rose higher and higher in the flood. Soon the tops of the (mountains) were covered.

The (ark) bobbed about like a cork and inside Noah and his family were perfectly dry.

The rains stopped at last and (Noah’s) wonderful (ark) came to rest on top of a mountain.

The Story of Jesus

Illustrator: Chris Rothero

Year: 1992

Publisher: Award Publications, London

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978 1 84135 034 6

This “See and Say Storybook” is a fantastic way to get young ones to read even if they don’t know letters, yet.

The book uses images instead of words for a specific set of nouns which are then “read” by the little ones.

The story of Jesus features angels, manger, Joseph, Mary and many other familiar words that the child can call out as parents read the rest of the text. Loads of reading fun! :-)

Other titles in this series:

• Noah and the Ark, Review here
• Moses in the Bulrushes
• Daniel in the Lions’ Den
• David and Goliath
• Jonah and the Whale
• Joseph and his Brothers
• The Story of Jesus
• Stories Jesus Told

Daniel: Little Children’s Bible Books

Text: Anne de Graaf, Wikipedia

Illustrations: Jose Perez Montero

Year: 1998

Publisher: Scandinavia Publishing House, Copenhagen

Age: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 38

ISBN: 978 8 77247 627 3

The Little Children’s Bible Books make stories from the Bible interesting with short sentences, little words and light-hearted illustrations.

The inspirational life of Daniel is superbly narrated in this book in relevant terms and tones for little ones of the twenty-first century. A cheery, little lion cub acts as a guide of sorts through the narrative with comments and queries to encourage little ones to think and help apply invaluable lessons from Daniel’s life to their own.

Excerpt

They had to eat like Babylonians, drink like Babylonians and pray like Babylonians. 

Finally, Daniel told his teachers, “No! We’re not like you. We’re different.”