The Story for Children, a Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition Paperback – September 30, 2012

I am giving this a two because the illustrations are nice, otherwise I would rate it a one. This is a lengthy review w/portions from the book quoted, so if you don't want to read the whole thing, stop here. I purchased this to give to a young couple with children. I glanced over it first because I wanted to make sure everything was ok. First, I appreciate the illustrations. They are colorful, with lots of authentic detail. The people are not goofy and cartoonish looking. That is what attracted me to the book to begin with when I saw it online. Although the illustrations are not as accurate as some of the older Bible story books I grew up with, they are still nice. I don't understand why authors think we need to "dumb down" illustrations into cartoons and the Bible in to light and easy tales.As I started reading through this book, I was disappointed. On the one hand the stories are glossed over not giving the full meaning, but adding all sorts of made up details, on the other hand there are little dissertations the author makes that are conjecture or theological views, which are more suited for older readers. I have given examples of all below. Here a few glossed over stories, or changes into ideas rather than what is written: For instance the story in the garden says "God showed them the delicious buffet awaiting them.....But when Adam reached for the fruit in the center, God spoke up, Anything but that one, Adam. That fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil is not for you". "One day a sneaky snake enticed Eve. Try this-It's the best in the garden, one little bite won't hurt". Ok, this isn't totally off in the overall gist, but it doesn't really tell the exchange between the snake and the whole idea. Also Adam wasn't walking around w/God and went for the fruit w/o knowledge. My criticism is that's not what the Bible says, sure there's artistic license and they're just "fleshing out the story, and it could have happened." The Bible doesn't need our help, we tell it like it says it. Sure we can use less complicated words, and tell it in an easier way when necessary, but don't skip important truths. The exchange with the snake, those ideas he presented and the fact that Eve was deceived and Adam disobeyed is important, so just saying "it's the best fruit" doesn't get the meaning across. That's just a lightweight example. Here's the Ten Commandments. #1 God is number one, There is no other god except our God #2 Praise God every day and only worship him. there is nothing else worth worshipping #3) always use respectful words when you speak about God #4 Have one special day a week to rest and praise God #5 Honor your father and mother. Obey them, answer when they call, be kind to them and always show love toward them. #6 Be kind to everyone. it is wrong to hurt another person because everyone is special to God #7 Husbands and wives must be loyal to each other, showing love and kindness always #8 Do not steal. Respect the belongings of others #9 Always tell the truth. Sometimes it's hard, but it's always the right thing to do #10 Be happy with what you have. Do not wish for things that belong to other people Everything you have is a gift from God. Really, these are more like explanations, and examples of how the Ten Commandments work, not really the commandments. Give the 10 commandments, if you need to explain them, fine, but don't list your explanation orr descriptions as the ten commandments. Again, I don't understand the dumbing down. I learned about the Ten Commandments as a child, just as they were written, I didn't need someone to change it about giving more information than was there, neither did my children.Here's an example from "the Never-Ending Picnic" based on the loaves and fishes "the little boy tugged on Andrews robe: "Sir?" Andrew shooed the boy away. Again the boy tried: "sir, I can help". "You? Help? Thanks but our problem is too big for one little boy" Andrew said as he tried to keep from laughing at the child's offer. "I can share my lunch". the boy insisted. It goes on to say that Andrew took the boy to Jesus. Does the Bible relate the story this way? No. Is the little boy the center of the story in the Bible, No. Could it have happened? Who knows, but if the Bible didn't tell it that way, why add to it?Another thing that bothered me was that while often the Bible story is a quick over view, there are many pages with the authors thoughts, listed as if it's Bible. These pages have text written on what looks like parchment, giving the idea that it's from the Bible. It will also have a Bible verse. For instance page 204-205. "Chapter 24 No Ordinary Man I and the Father are one John 10:30 From the beginning the bible speaks of a King. It was a King who created the world with just a word. It was King who commanded the water to do remarkable things-to flood the earth, to turn to blood, to divide into two walls so his people could escape. It was king who sent his people into exile and returned them again to their land. It was a King who was born in Bethlehem". It seems odd to me that they feel children are going to be able to understand this, and yet they can't understand the basic bible story, so the authors have to skim, skip and add to them, but they can take pages to give their theological interpretations. Another thing I find disturbing is throughout the book there numerous side columns entitled "God's Message" after a story. They are written as if God is speaking. Page 17: "God's Message You are my greatest creation. Looking at you is better than looking at an ocean view. Watching you run and play is better than watching beautiful animals dart across the African plain. Seeing a smile on your face is better than seeing a sunrise. You are my pride and joy" Really.While some people may like this sort of book, I don't. Personally, I believe when we are reading a Bible story, it should be accurate, no additions, subtractions, added philosophy, cute little illustrations, made up conversations.. It's the Bible, we don't add to it. We can tell the story in everyday language, we can add photos for illustration, but we are giving children the Word of God and we must hold ourselves to the highest standard. Children learn from us about God and His Word. They will also learn from us how we respect and reverence it, or how we treat it lightly.

This storybook Bible includes over 60 stories that allow readers to discover that God's story is not just a collection of random adventures--it's a complete story that tells about God's great love for His people. What better way to read God's Word to children than The Story for Children? The illustrations are vivid and very well done and are sure to capture the imagination of even the youngest child to those who can read themselves. As a grandmother, I keep The Story for Children with my favorite books for those precious times of sleepovers when our grandkids and I want special time together. There is no better way to instill God's truth in children in a such a manner they can understand and grow in their faith.I give The Story for Children by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee a 5-star rating, and I highly recommend it.Review by: Rita Kroon, author of: Womanhood: Becoming a Woman of Virtue (women's Bible study), and children's short stories I Couldn't Resist and Help! I'm Trapped.

I gave this book to my minister who loved the graphics in this book. I originally bought this book which was marketed to children ages 4-7 for a 7 year old child, but we thought that this was a bit old for her. This book did not impress me nor my Mother other than the beautiful pictures. The telling of the stories did not impress me because the reader has to have a knowledge of Bible history to understand this book. I would not recommend this book unless a person wants to show the pictures while you tell your own version of the Bible story being delivered which could easily be done because a Bible reference is given at the beginning of each story.

This is a great book for telling and showing young children the stories of the Bible. I bought if for my grandsons for Christmas and their parents tell me they read it to them every night. The boys range in age from 8-2. The artwork is beautiful! It holds their attention as well as the simple way the stories are written. The stories leave out some details but not the important stuff. With children's short attention spans, I like the abbreviated version.

I use this for our Wednesday night kids at church. I have all three of these Bible storybooks (toddlers, younger kids, and older kids) and they work great for us. The pictures are awesome, the stories are right-on as far as age, and all three age levels can learn the same Bible story but have it read to them at a level they understand. These are also great for use in your home one-on-one with your child. Love it!

I'm a retired elementary school teacher so I know kids' books. My 2-year-old grandson was bored with the 40-year-old children's bible storybook I'd used for my own kids (stories too long, pictures too sophisticated). This one is sooo much better. Lucado tells the story in language he understands (he's 3 now) and he stares at every picture with terrific interest. I can see him loving this book for many years whether I'm reading it to him or he reads it for himself. Certainly up to at least 10 year-olds.

Our family has really enjoyed the pictures, which are beautiful and not at all cartoonish, which is hard to find in a children's Bible. As confessional Lutherans, however, the translation/summary is not quite what we would like. Catholics would also have problems with the portrayal of the Lord's Supper as a mere symbol, for example. For us, it's beautiful and we can talk about the problems with the text.

This story Bible is beautifully illustrated. The stories are Biblically accurate. We got this Bible for my daughter for her 7th birthday. We started reading it right away. She loves this Bible. As soon as we read through the entire Bible, she wanted to start it a second time. It's so encouraging to see how much she is learning and retaining. We have great discussions about our faith as we read. I would highly recommend this Bible.

Reading this to children opens up the minds even of adults and allows the teaching process - a good purchase

Brilliant way of telling the bible to wee ones.

Great book for kids. Breaks bible stories into short stories over 4 or 6 pages with amazing graphics. There is a small take home with "God's message" summary for kids to understand. My kids have really enjoyed this book and I have enjoyed reading it with them. I enjoy that we can do little bite sized stories with our busy schedules.

Beautiful book, great for children. My little one is learning from this book. When I pray she opens the book and reads in her own way, she's only 2.5 years old.

Great book.....gave as a baby baptism gift.

Nice