I’m not one to push any kind of product. You won’t find me talking about my special kind of vacuum cleaner that picks up even the ground-in-dirt and I probably won’t be giving away strollers or baby-wraps here on this blog.
So even if this blog gets really big someday I’ll still be living with my ten year old fridge and my dying dishwasher. I’ll never have the kind of clout on the web-er-nets that will garner the attention of W*lmart or some other big deal retailer.
If that’s why you came, I’m really sorry.
I like it like this.
And I hope you do too.
But once in awhile I come across something that really makes me smile, makes me seriously jump up and down for what someone has done for those of us who spend money, and I find myself telling everyone I know about it.
Word of mouth is the best marketing, I think.
A month ago my husband came across this listening to a Mark Driscoll podcast. It’s a children’s Bible.
Now I know there are amazing kids’ Bibles out there. There are dozens of them in the Christian bookstore and hundreds online. But this one is so different.
It’s called the Jesus Storybook Bible and it’s written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and is illustrated by Jago. I’m never going to do it justice so here are a couple excerpts:
From the Introduction:
“…There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle — the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture…” (p17)
From Jesus and the children:
“…Would you have done just what these children did — run straight up to Jesus and let him pick you up in his arms and swing you and kiss you and hug you and then sit you on his lap and listen to your stories and your chats? You see, children loved Jesus and they knew they didn’t need to do anything special for Jesus to love them. All they needed to do was run into his arms…” (p262)
From Pentecost:
“…Suddenly, a strong wind filled the little room, whistling through the walls, rustling the straw on the floor. And there — on everyone’s heads, shining in the gloom — were flickering flames. Fire that didn’t hurt or burn. And something more: inside, in their hearts, they felt a strange heat, almost as if the coldness and hardness were melting away. As if their broken hearts were mending. And God was giving them brand new hearts — hearts that could work properly….Could it be? Heaven was coming into their hearts…” (p329)
I don’t know how to explain the amazing spirit behind this children’s Bible. Our family is using it for a family devotion time in the evenings and so far it has been amazing.
I think it should be required reading for every adult.
It’s more than the stories.
It’s the WHY.
God loves us and because we needed rescuing, that Story is called the Great Rescue. Every part of the Bible points ahead to the Rescue or back to the Rescue. It’s absolutely beautiful.
You will have to pick it up to see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed by this one, I promise.
You can buy it from Amazon HERE. (Ages 4-8.)
*Disclaimer – I purchased this book on my own. I have not been compensated by Zondervan in any way for this blog post.
What’s the best children’s book or Bible you’ve come across lately?
This storybook is amazing and both of my children are well past the age for which it was intended. Actually, I read it just for me
.
One of the ways that it truly speaks to me is that it doesn’t look at the accounts as isolated incidents in the Bible that we should all aspire to imitate. Instead, each account is actually a way to point us to the beauty of Jesus and the astonishing nature of a grace-filled God.
This Bible story book is a wonderful way to fall in love with Jesus all over again. I, too, have not been compensated for my comments
, but really wanted to share them anyway.
Enjoy the book.
Kim
You know what’s funny?
I had heard about it from someone else and ordered it last week. I’m so enthralled with it! Cannot wait to sit down w/ the kids and read to them.
My copy just came in the mail yesterday
Oh, we love that book. The illustrations are gorgeous! We have read through it completely, but the kids bring it back again and again.
Looks wonderful! I may have to buy that today to read to my grandchildren! Thanks!
I have goosebumps all over right now. First off, went to lunch with a friend and out of the blue we start talking about Mark Driscoll and now your post. AND this Children’s Bible is the BEST. The pastor of the church we’ve been going to actually said the same thing as you…”I don’t promote much but listen to this” and he proceeded to read the same portion of the Bible as you. I went online and bought it. I absolutely love it and it’s full of the whole truth of the Bible. Thanks for your post!
I already have this on my list to give Annalyn for Easter!!
That’s the one we have and I won’t ever trade up for a better model – b/c I don’t believe one exists. This book makes me cry. Sweet tears. I ordered the book+book on CD. I love listening to it. If I have it playing in a back room during the day, it draws me in and makes me want to sit and listen. It is so, so good.
Thank you Sarah. My three g’girls will be getting copies and I’ll suggest it as required reading for their parents too! We can never get enough of the pure message Jesus came to deliver! Passing this along to my sphere of influence too!
BTW – you do a great job telling your story. I’m learning from you.
Sarah I always find your posts so inspiring and I love that you’re you and always just yourself!!
After reading today’s post I now can’t wait to get this book!!! Thank you for telling us about it and reminding us on twitter to come to your blog! 
Thanks for sharing your idea with us Sarah, since Bibles are a hot gift for Easter, this is really timely.
I’m sure we all have different definitions of what makes a great kid’s book so it is hard to agree on what is best. But when it comes to the Bible I believe we have to be very selective.
[Please know this is not criticism and I am not trying to stir up any sort of debate. Just offering up a different point of view.]
God’s Word is not just another kid’s book. It is THE TRUTH. And if we are finding a kid’s version of the Bible, it too should be accurate truth.
The Bible you recommended does have a very pleasing and palatable “message” of love but I feel the author really stretches God’s Word into just another kid’s book. Also I, personally, am not a fan of cartoonish illustrations that make Bible stories into anything less than real life events. I know this doesn’t bother others, but it’s just a standard I have for my own family.
I’d like to recommend the “Children’s Story Bible” by Catherine Vos which is what my family uses as a read-aloud. There are illustrations in it but not for every story. The stories are biblically accurate and the author doesn’t take any liberties in story-stretching. She even uses direct quotes of Scripture throughout.
I really feel like The Jesus Storybook is literally just a storybook, not a Bible, and wanted to give another option. I know a lot of people take recommendations without researching and that is why I wanted to put my opinion in here too.
Before anyone just blindly buys it, please research it.
Thank you Bree for your opinion. And of course we don’t take it as criticism. The only thing I want to say in response is that I hope you have a copy and that you’ve read it. And if that it is the case then I absolutely welcome your opinion. Disagreement is wonderful and it makes things interesting. However I’ve known too many people who, like you say, blindly make jusgements on thongs (especially books) on the recommendation of others. Yes, I would hope the community here would thumb through a copy before they purchase. However with the death of too many Christain bookstores (I now don’t have one in my town) online purchases sometimes are the best option. If you look at the Amazon reviews for the book somebody makes a similar case.
Thanks for accepting my opinion and for challenging it too — “I hope you have a copy and that you have read it” really is an important point for any good discussion, but one so often overlooked for some reason.
I have read most of it as I was able to find a copy at my local library (which I’m sure others could do before buying).
Awesome!! There is just so many Christians who tale another person’s judgement of something and write it off. So glad that you are informed.
Oh and apologies for accidentally misspelling the word “thing” as “thong”. Hee hee.
We have this Bible also. It is wonderful!!
This was a Christmas gift to the kids and we all love it!! We have a family bible that read from after dinner…but this might be next. Good idea!
This is the best Bible ever, for anyone! I think that it would be a great Bible for a new Christian, child or adult. We also have the audio version. My kids love listening to it in the van. My great-niece will be receiving a copy from us on her upcoming 1st birthday!
I’m ordering it right now – for me! thanks for the info…
Our kids are 5, 3 & 18-months and I’ve been looking for a good children’s bible story book for them. The older two have a children’s bible that is the actual scripture but they’re still kind of young to sit down and read this. This is on my list for an Easter present now. Thanks!
We love our copy of the Jesus Storybook and keep coming across friends who have them as well! Apparently our marketing strategy is working because lots of people are getting their hands on this awesome book! My son’s favorite story is the one about Moses and the Burning Bush. I like the one where Jesus washes everyone’s stinky poo-ey feet!
I purchased this book for my daughters last year on Easter and we have really enjoyed reading it together. I think a lot of kids grow up thinking that the Bible is just a bunch of smaller stories, but don’t fully understand that it is really one BIG story all woven together. And that Jesus is the center of it all. One of my Bible Study Fellowship teachers used to say, “Jesus is concealed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament.” I think this Bible does a great job of emphasizing this concept!
I was placing an order today for other books that have been on my wish list… I added this one to my shopping cart. Can hardly wait to get it in.
Thanks for the recommendation.
P.S. We love Mark too… we’re very much enjoying the sermon series through the book Luke.
have this bible for a while and it is awesome… word of mouth is best.. some of the most amazing parents I knew had this one so I thought I NEED to buy it.. so so great and powerful!
I agree with you
We LOVE this Bible!! We use it every night as part of our bedtime routine!
I’ve been saying nothing but good things about this one for a couple of years! It really does do a good job of bringing the truth of Jesus throughout the whole of the story that is the Bible. And the illustrations – SO much better than what you normally find in other kids’ story Bibles.
This is the best one we have (and we have a lot of them).
This is great! There can never be enough good books out there, especially for children,that help explain who Jesus is. I’m going to keep my eye out of this one.
I LOVE this Bible… I kinda want one for myself
I LOVE reading this to my daughter (who is one – so basically it’s all for me . . .) seriously love it!
I’ve heard so many great things about this Bible. I’ve never read it, though. Soudns interesting. And all the ‘Story’ this and ‘Story’ that made me think of you and your Story.
Sorry, but I just love the word story haha.
We love that book. (We also love our pastor, Mark Driscoll.)
I really like The Big Picture Story Bible, too. http://www.amazon.com/Big-Picture-Story-Bible/dp/1581342772
I love that you don’t pitch things – it adds to your already truly authentic beauty. My son received this book as a gift and we love, love, love it. It answers some of the questions for him that are tough for me and helps us get through some stories that seem a little sophisticated for young readers. Great recommendation, Sarah. Every family should have this one.
We love this book! We got it a few months ago and it was an instant family favorite. It is my new go to gift for children.
It’s always so great to hear from others about books that work for their kids & families. One that we really love is called “Children, Can You Hear Me?” by Brad Jersak. It really helps our son to be aware of & practice God’s presence in his life! I love it that when I have a headache, my son will put his hand on my neck, and tell God about it, asking for healing. God is a constant presence and this book really was great in showing him how that works in his life.
We received this bible as a gift about a year ago and we all love it. My favorite part is how it takes the opportunity to point all things forward or back to Jesus. I think this concept is hard for us to hold on to as adults when we read through the Old Testament, so how great is it that our kids are getting a seed of that truth.
thanks for reminding me how much i love it!
Love this storybook…and have lots of little boys to read to….
You are the second blogger I read to recommend this book. We were in Barnes & Noble and I bought it. Got in the car with my girls (3 & 6) and started reading as my husband was driving. Read 84 pages before my voice was starting to give out and I was forced to put a bookmark in it.
WONDERFUL!
LOVE THIS! My daughter who is almost 4 has let me read her 135 pages in 3 days. She just keeps wanting more & more. And I am so grateful for that. So thank you for the recommendation.
our favorite!!! reading from it will bring me to tears almost everytime.
I LOVE this book. We have it and I have bought it for all of my nephews (no nieces as of yet) as well!
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[...]The Jesus Storybook Bible | Sarah Markley[...]…