I am a pastor and people constantly ask me which translation or version of the Bible is the best one. For years I would answer them with a long answer that probably ended up confusing the people more than helping them. Recently, I received a copy of a children’s storybook Bible distributed by ZonderKids and written by Sally Lloyd Jones entitled THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE and it is in my opinion one of the best Bibles ever produced. Never mind that it is a children’s Bible because the Bible stories that are included are relevant for children AND adults. What makes this book so unique is that every Bible story that is re-told is done in a very comprehensive way and each story points to Jesus Christ. It does not matter if the story is about David and Goliath, Elijah, or the Apostle Paul the concluding thought always points to Jesus. Not only are the stories done in a creative and God honoring manner but the artwork is very contemporary, and child friendly. While this is not a traditional Bible in the sense that there are not books of the Bible, chapters, and verses but this does not take away from the fact that it still essentially contains the same message. I should also note that this is NOT a translation of the Bible but a storybook so it is based on the author’s interpretation of the Bible story.
Overall THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE is a great Bible for children and even for adults. When I read the stories to my children (ages 4, 7 and 10) they were glued to my every word and loved the artwork (especially the creation account). The stories were told in a way that left many opportunities for discussion and reflection. If you are a parent looking for a Bible for your young children then I would highly recommend this one. It makes for a great family devotional and is a God honoring storybook that always points to Jesus being the central theme of the Bible. I loved this book so much I bought three copies for our church.
