Customer Reviews

Beginner's Bible, The

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Karen Henley's "The Beginner's Bible" is a classic popular children's bible for pre-schooler's and primary grades. Beware that the publisher has come out with a new book by the same title, but with all new text by a different author and all new illustrations. The new book IS NOT the same as nor of the same quality as Karen Henley's original. This is a disappointment, that a publisher such as Zondervan would market an entirely new work by the name of a best selling title. Far too confusing for someone unaware of the differences in the two books. Amazon furthers the confusion by featuring the original Karen Henley version in their Look Inside feature for the new book. This is inaccurate information. This is not a new edition of the same work, but an entirely new book with nothing in common but a title.

"The Beginners Bible" makes a wonderful first Christmas, Easter or religious gift to any child hearing God's Word for the first time.

Seperated into short, easy-to-grasp chapters, it features gorgeous, colorful but simple illustrations of the Bible's most vivid, even humorous stories. (the talking donkey, Elijah's besting of Baal, Jesus and Zaccheus, etc.) It tells the book's most spectacular stories (the parting of the Red Sea, Jesus' walking on water) with simply expressed awe that should impress children hearing it the first time. God's love and power is always written into the final line of each story, things as reassuring to children as a parent's goodnight kiss. ("God had saved his people again!" "Mary loved Him, Joseph loved Him, and God loved Him.")

The New Testament portion emphasizes Jesus' parables and miracles, and tells Christianity's most moving stories (Judas' betrayal, the Revelation) with tact few religious writers would attempt. You'll find no better, more contextual explanation to a child of why Christ died than the "Sadness" chapter in this book.

Overall, "The Beginners' Bible" is the best attempt yet to bring Jesus' love to His most youngest, most treasured ones, and is a book to read or be read to. HIGHLY recommended for families with young children.

I highly highly recommend this book. I have been using it for close to 2 years now. I have no children of my own, but the children in the neighborhood all think they live here ! LOL -- how cute. They range in ages from 6 to 17. The older kids like to have the chance to interact with the younger ones. Reading these stories does just that. Its easy, so easy to understand. The beginning of each story sites the place in the Bible where the scripture can be found. This is excellent for people who want to make the transition with older children to their own Bibles. They can see where in the Bible their favorite stories are found. The kids in this neighborhood love it. They have me read it to them every time they are over. Its easy to understand, and is very colorful. I highly recommend this book. Its a must have !

This has 'cute' illustrations that children love to look at and toddler-level wording that they can really understand. This has been the favorite children's book for my 2 year old for quite some time. Every bedtime it's 'I want Bible dory!!!' Worth every penny!

I have been reading this to my six year old for about two years now, one easy-to-read chapter each night. We've been through it now about 7 times and he still really enjoys the stories and pictures. I think Karyn and Dennas have done a great job in simplifying the Bible and making it kid-friendly. I like the simple interpretations,too!

This is a great way to introduce your children to the Bible. The Chapter and verse is listed with each story so you can look up stories that you wish to share with your children. The subjects are presented in a short enough length so as not to lose the attention span of your child. They also make great bedtime stories because you can choose how much to read each night.

I especially liked the way that this book handled diffucult topics like the crucifixion of Jesus. It does not shy away from these topics, but presents them in an understandable format.

I give this book to friends for infant Baptisms or baby shower gifts.

I have been using this book every other day since 1995 during the 20 minutes worship sessions with my group of preschoolers. They understand the stories, and remember them too! From time to time, I would show them the pictures and they are able to tell me the title of the stories.It's one of their favorites at reading time when they select books and "read" for themselves. Because I realize the impact of the stories, I usually give children who are leaving their very own copy. For some, it's their first introduction to Jesus.

I got this Bible when I was 2 years old. I loved looking at the pictures- and they are very bright and colorful. This Bible first gave me the idea that there was a book about God. When I was a little bit older, It told me that Bible stories were interesting, and not boring and glum like I thought it would be after I looked at my dad's Bible with a black cover. After all, you can't judge a book by it's cover! Now I am 10 years old, and although I have a full text NIV Bible, I still love to look at this bible. I actually have 2 copies of it, because when I was 4 I begged my Mom to get me another copy of this Bible. I am extremely fond of reading, and I still remember the day I read it all by myself, When I was 5. Wasn't I proud! It's very understandable and in clear, big, print. I still treasure it very much, and I absolutely recommend this Bible to you.

I bought this book after several attempts to get my children interested in the Bible. I always look for metaphysical interpretations for children, but am not sure they exist. And I have bought a handful of children's Bible literature so when I read a review for this book I thought, great! When the book arrived my heart fell. I told myself, "another flop!" and was ready to send it back. But my little boy (8) saw it and asked me to read it. And he just loves it!! He asks for more, always more... even though he has tons of other books on his shelves. And I am thrilled. The stories are very simply put and illustrated, exactly like a child needs. Sometimes I shudder at the interpretations (at times a bit too classical for me), but an adult can always explain the stories. This book has an amazing calming effect on kids, and it seems to fill a need they have. Amazing! I think it is a perfect first approach to the Bible.

Introducing young children to God is simple. All you have to do is to read them this, then, when they're old enough, they can read it by themselves, and alone they will learn God's precious Word. "The Beginner's Bible" is a summary of the Bible stories told especially for children and toddlers. With this book, they can learn all they can about the morals taught by the Bible.

As you may have though, this book is a nice, little collection of classic Bible stories, accompanied by cute, little illustrations. With beautiful pictures and a text in told from a child's language, this Bible is one that your child will enjoy - forever!