“Daddy, read my picture-bible-book!”

I will always remember fondly evening story times with my dad. This was the Bible he and Mom choose for all five of us kids from birth to some ambiguous age of maturity at which we moved on to a “Real Bible” (ie; no pictures). And when the time came for us to choose a First Bible for our children we were pleased to see that the Read-n-Grow Picture Bible Book had been re-published and was available for purchase!

• The RnGPB is perfect for kids of all ages. It’s set up comic book style, with each familiar Bible story told in twelve numbered frames on two facing pages, with text beneath each frame. (“Which number are you on now, daddy?”)

• My favorite thing about it is that the text mirrors very carefully the text of Scripture, although in simple language. That has been important to us. We want our kids to hear the language of the Bible, not just the stories (although that is important, too). And, as a bonus, each story has it’s corresponding Scripture reference listed in the index.

• The artwork is realistic, vivid and quite well done, although a bit repetitive (really, how different can you draw Paul from Peter? I ask you…). It has basically defined for me the mental image I have of all the most familiar Bible characters. I even remember how scary the picture of Satan was in the story of The Fall (Genesis). We got so freaked out by it that Dad had to get a Post-It note and cover it up. And then there were years ahead of each new child peeking under the Post-It to see what horrors lurked beneath…

In short, it is well-written, well-drawn and the best I’ve seen yet. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

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Elisa reads, writes, crafts, brags about her babies and occasionally waxes eloquent about life and other important things at her blog, Herb of Grace.