Found

Book: Found by Sally Lloyd Jones, Illustrated by Jago, Zonderkidz, 2017
Genre: Bible Story Board Book

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 1-3
Subjects: Bible Stories, Fear, Trust
Summary/Notes: Psalm 23 is precious to so many people. It's a place we turn for comfort, a reminder that God is watching out for us. This book paraphrases the psalm for little ones. It uses simplistic pictures of a cute little lamb and a shepherd and the sun, to help tell the story. Here's one example of it's paraphrasing: "Even when I walk through the dark, scary, lonely places... I won't be afraid." Then it concludes with a page that makes it clear the "shepherd" is God and that He loves us.
The book is cute, and a good way to explain Psalm 23 to little ones.
Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is my shepherd

Angels in the Bible for Little Ones

Book: Angels in the Bible for Little Ones written by Allia Zobel Nolan, Illustrated by Alida Massari, Zonderkidz, 2017

Genre: Board Book

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 0-3

Subjects: Angels, Bible Stories

Summary/Notes: This is a board book telling stories from the Bible where angels appeared. It covers the following stories:

-          The 3 visitors telling Abraham he would have a son

-          The angel caring for Elijah in the desert

-          The angel shutting the mouths of the lions for Daniel

-          The angel telling Mary she would have a son

-          The angels appearing to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus

-          Jesus and the children

-          The angel at the tomb telling the women that Jesus is risen

-          John’s revelation about Jesus’ second coming

The stories are simple, there is nothing that particularly stands out as good or bad. It’s just another Bible Storybook. It does list the reference for where the story came from under the title of each story. The biggest advantage is that it puts a variety of stories about angels in one place, to give kids a more realistic picture of what angels are. There are a lot of ideas about angels that contradict the Bible – dead people become angels, angels are cute little naked babies with good archery skills, etc. Teaching children from a young age what the Bible truly teaches about angels will help them discern the truth from the lies. I can definitely recommend this book to toddlers.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 103:20 – Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Book: The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones, Illustrated by Jago, Zonderkidz, 2007 (this new edition published in 2017)
Genre: Bibles
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 3+
Subjects: Bible Stories

Summary/Notes: There are so many children’s storybook Bibles out there. I’ve got at least 5 on my bookshelves alone. And one is pretty much like the other. They have a different style of pictures, but pretty much tell the same stories in the same way. But this one is different. This one doesn’t divide itself into “chapters” or “sections” for each Bible story, each one separate, as if it’s just a collection of works. No, this one shows how it’s really one story, one complete story, the story of Jesus. It reads as though it’s a continuing story, with each chapter covering the next event in the story. Here’s a snippet of the beginning “No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules or a book of heros. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne – everything – to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life! You see the begin thing about this Story is – it’s true. 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.” When I first heard that introduction read at an Andrew Peterson concert, I was instantly hooked. And now having my very own copy to share with all the kids I teach excites me! I appreciate the author’s ability to show how the Bible is about one great story. I appreciate that it’s not dummed down for kids. And I appreciate the emphasis on how it is true. I HIGHLY recommend this storybook Bible for all children, but also for adults who want to catch a glimpse of the greatness of the story of the Bible. In fact, the author has put it together in a book targeted at adults – same story, but without the children’s pictures. 
Recommendation: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Luke 24:27 - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.