999 Super Fun, Head-Scratching, Brain-Boosting Bible Trivia Questions for Kids - A Review

999 Super Fun,

Head-Scratching, Brain-Boosting

Bible Trivia Questions for Kids

by

Jodi and Lilly Simmons


with JoAnne Simmons

A Review

The author has provided a fun set of 998 (999?) trivia questions divided into 64 sections covering the people, events, and important topics found throughout the scriptures. The attached images give a brief look at the type of questions and the suggested answers.

The answer key is attached as an appendix to the entire book; a bookmark, whether using a paper copy of the book or an e-book, will make finding it easier for the reader. The major flaw in the book's design is the missing scripture index. Questions covering specific scriptures are generally presented in order (throughout the book), but questions that focus on topics seem to appear in a somewhat random order. A scripture index would help the reader find questions on specific verses of interest.

Owning a small collection of Bible trivia books, this book will make a nice addition to that collection. It would also belong in the family library of those trying to become more familiar with the Bible. Similar comments could be said for the church library making it available to both parents and Sunday School teachers.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.  

5-Minute Bible - A Review

5-Minute Bible

100 Stories and 100 Song

By

Stephen Elkins

A Review

A children’s Bible story book that is nicely conceived, but poorly executed. Stephen Elkins is known for producing colorful and entertaining books for children - he has attempted to add a bit of his creative genius to his newest work.

Each of the 100 two page stories consists of four parts. The first three parts are attractive and well-done. The colorful artwork will hold the reader’s attention and be inviting for parents to share with their children. The Bible stories themselves are written to be understood by the preschool child and read by the first and second grader. The colorful artwork will draw the child's (and parent?) attention to the story. Accompanying each story is a brief 10-20 word lesson summary of what the child might remember from the story. Also accompanying each story is a short children’s song.

And that is where this reviewer finds fault with the book. Some of the songs are well-known, such “The B-I-B-L-E, Yes That’s The Book For Me.” Others are lyrics are set to familiar hymns - except that, for this non-musician, it was often difficult to force the provided lyrics to fit the suggested tune. Finally, there are unfamiliar songs for which there is no suggested tune - suggesting that the songs should be familiar, even though they are not. All of these concerns could be address by including a CD (or 2) with the music for parents and children to sing along with. Similarly, a set of MP3 files could be made available on the book’s web page.

Which leads to this reviewer’s final concern - the web page given in the book’s introduction leads to a page saying that some page (not the book’s page) is under development. Yes, this new page is under development, but there is no indication that it is related to this book and, in fact, has no content at all. According to the book introduction, the page will present the full lyrics (alas, no music) for all the songs in the book; but not even the lyrics are present. (Note this review is being written one week after the publication date, and these problems could be addressed in the near future).

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

My Jesus Bible - A Review

My Jesus Bible

by

Text by Michael Berghof

Illustrated by Gill Guile

A Review

“My Jesus Bible” is a colorful, attractive children's Bible. The book consists of 20 stories pulled from Jesus’ life that would appeal to preschool children to 3rd or 4th graders. Given that information, this reviewer would recommend the book for children and their parents or Sunday School teachers.

I have two problems with the book. First, there seems to be some question as to what age group the book is actually designed for. Its physical design as a board book with a plastic handle would make it appear to be designed for the preschool child. The detail of the artwork would seem to appeal to the kindergartner or 1st grader. The size of the print and the writing itself would suggest that the book belongs in the hands of the older elementary school child. This final obstacle could be overcome by an older sibling or adult reading the material to a younger child or the availability of a recording to accompany the book (at this point this does not exist, as best I can tell). Though it can be said of any book, the purchaser will need to be aware of who will be using the book and how it will be used.

The second difficulty I see is a lack of Biblical references. These would be useful for both the older child and for the parents or Sunday School teachers working with child readers. It would allow the adult to familiarize himself or herself with the Biblical material from which 20 stories are drawn which becomes important because the stories are drawn from all four gospels - sometimes combining the events described by multiple authors. Having access to the underlying scriptures would prepare the adult reader to answer children’s questions and to familiarize themselves with Scripture’s content.

Do I recommend this book? YES. But only if the purchaser is aware of its limitations and willing to work with those limitations and child for whom the book is purchased.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Rick Warren's The Lord's Prayer - A Review

The Lord’s Prayer

by

Author: Rick Warren

Illustrator: Richard Jesse Watson

A Review

It was probably not the first prayer I ever learned, but it was one of the first that I memorized. Rick Warren has written a nice and simple commentary on this most famous of prayers uttered by Jesus. Each entry is composed of four parts:

1. A line (or phrase) from the Lord’s prayer
2. An illustration working off the theme found in the quoted phrase
3. A four (or so) line commentary responding to the quoted phrase
4. A simple prayer echoing the phrase and commentary

The illustrations are colorful and gripping. They will hold a child’s (and maybe the parent’s) attention.  The commentary is not particularly deep; but because the book is written for a the 4-8 year old child, I would not expect an in depth exploration of the Lord’s Prayer. However, I expect both the parent and the child would find the entire presentation to an encouraging addition to their spiritual walk - regardless of their physical or spiritual age.

This book belongs in the preschool section of the church library and in the homes of preschoolers and beginning readers. It would make a great Christmas or birthday gift - I would say a stocking stuffer, except the 12”x18” size means it will not fit into most stockings.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Jesus And Zacchaeus - A Review

Jesus And

Zacchaeus

&

Zacchaeus

And Jesus

by

Written By: Dandi Daley Mackall

Illustrated By: Lisa Manuzak

A Review

“Nifty!” - That was the word my wife used when I first showed her this unusual book. Her word is official - she is the Pre-K Sunday School teacher at church; she is the grandmother of two active preschoolers; and she is a member of the children’s bookseller team at the local Barnes and Noble. If she looks at a children’s book and says. “Nifty!”, it is nifty.

The book consists of two parallel stories (i.e. poems) telling the story from Jesus’ (who offers grace) perspective; and, after flipping the book over, it tells the story from Zacchaeus’ (who receives grace) perspective. The images are colorful and convey the story in an interesting manner for the young child or early reader.  

And though this grandpa’s word is not nearly as official, this reader does agree - this book will make a nifty addition to the home library, the church library, or the Sunday School classroom.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

I'm Not Afraid - A Review

I’m Not Afraid

Written by

Lee Ann Mancini

Illustrated by

Dan Sharp

A Review

Lee Ann Mancini has put  together a fun, colorful book aimed at the preschooler or early reader. Fear is a common emotion – but an uncomfortable one for many people. The art and story will help the young child understand that fear is normal and that Jesus can help him or her deal with their fears.

The colorful 3-D fish will hold the reader’s attention – whether the book is being read to the child or the book is being read by the child. After reaching the end of the book, I was surprised to find I had missed the book’s hidden secret: each page includes a small hidden image to be found within the picture (ala Where’s Waldo). Finding out the secret, I was forced to again walk through the book to find the unexpected prize found on each page.

The book will serve as a swell gift from a parent to a child or a welcome addition to the home,  Church, or Sunday School library. Some public libraries will feel comfortable adding it to their collections as well.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.

My Sing-Along Bible - A Review

My Sing-Along Bible

by

Stephen Elkins

Stephen Elkins has created a fun book for kids, parents, Grandparents, or Sunday School teachers, to begin the process of helping kids read, understand, and apply the scriptures to their lives.

With 50 songs, each supplemented with a short devotional, a selected scripture verse, and quick "Little Lesson", the book will serve as a child's first devotional book.  The colorful images will attract the kids' attention as well. My wife, an experienced preschool Sunday School teacher, is looking forward to using the material with her three- and four-year old students.  

Most of my reviews are for adult books - but it is occasionally fun to see the material being offered to the future generations of leaders in the church.  This book did not disappoint and should serve as a welcome addition to a child's or Sunday School classroom's library.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Little Chick’s Bible - A Review

Little Chick’s Bible

by

P J Lyons

and

Melanie Mitchell

A Review

A cute, fuzzy, board book designed for the early preschooler.  The book includes eight Bible stories and pictures designed for the non-reader and their parents to share The front and back cover made of yellow felt-like material.  The tips of the chick’s beak and wings are floppy and can be pulled away from the surface of the book, allowing the book to be part toy as well as a fun book.  My wife and I will look forward to giving our copy to our 1½-year-old and 6-month-old grandchildren this Easter.   

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.