Children of God Storybook Bible [Hardcover]

Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 10, 2010 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 690L (What's this?)

Desmond Tutu retells more than fifty of his most beloved stories, artfully highlighting God's desire for all people to love one another and to find peace and forgiveness in their hearts. Many of the finest artists from around the world have been selected to illustrate the stories. In an attempt to create the first truly global Bible for children, the artists have been invited to portray the stories with the style and richness of their own culture. Their stunning color illustrations allow readers to experience the Bible stories as if they were there---with Adam and Eve in the garden, with Noah on the ark, with Abraham in the desert, and with Jesus on the mountaintop. Every story shows how God works through history and ends with a short prayer, which personalizes the message for each reader's own life. Archbishop Tutu's wisdom, compassion, and sense of humor shine throughout, as he reminds us that 'We are all God's children.' Archbishop Desmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his lifelong struggle to bring equality, justice, and peace to his native country of South Africa. In 1986, he was elected Archbishop of Cape Town, the highest position in the Anglican Church in Southern Africa. Tutu is currently the Chair of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders who are working to promote the shared interests of humanity. In 2009 Tutu received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor. He is known for his great love for children, as well as his powerful and profound understanding of the message of Jesus Christ. The Archbishop lives in South Africa with his wife, Leah. They have four children and seven grandchildren. 'In the spirit of celebrating children all over the world, each illustrator in this book has been invited to draw on their own unique and rich cultural heritage in their portrayal of these Biblical stories. Their art is truly a marvelous reflection of how we are all made in God's image.' --(Archbishop) Desmond Tutu

Editorial Reviews

Review

Shortlisted for the Christian Library Book Award 2011 'Accessible and heartwarming!The Children of God Storybook Bible will draw in everyone who hears it' -- The Times --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review

Magnificently illustrated and beautifully written Scriptural wisdom from one of the church's greatest heroes. This book is the one children's book that every Christian family should own. This book will serve as the main devotional book for my children in the upcoming year. In Children of God, Bishop Tutu presents Biblical truths reflecting a much-needed global perspective. --Soong-Chan Rah Milton B. Engebretson Associate Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism North Park Theological Seminary -- Soon-Chan Rah <br><br>

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310719127
• ISBN-13: 978-0310719120
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Bible

More About the Author

Desmond Mpilo Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and was only the second black person ever to receive it. In 1986 he was elected archbishop of Cape Town, the highest position in the Anglican Church in South Africa. In 1994, after the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela, Tutu was appointed as chair of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate apartheid-era crimes. His policy of forgiveness and reconciliation has become an international example of conflict resolution, and a trusted method of postconflict reconstruction. He is currently the chair of The Elders, where he gives vocal defense of human rights and campaigns for the oppressed.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Bible for Kids! August 21, 2010

By Carol P. Myers

Format:Hardcover

50 classic Bible stories retold in language easily accessible to children. This book is a paraphrase, not a translation. While it is appropriate for children, it does not shy away from traditional concepts. Creation, the Fall, Exodus, Jesus birth, ministry, death and resurrection are all included in ways that will make each child feel God's love and God's care for everyone and all creation. For example, though the Beatitudes are titled "Jesus Teaches the Secret of Happiness," each is given as "Blessed are." "Blessed are you who feed the poor, for you are the hands of God," for example. Each story has a simple one sentence prayer. For the Beatitudes, "Dear God, thank you for showing us the way to true happiness." Unlike many children's Bibles, this one is true to the text--there won't be things to unlearn when making the transition to a regular Bible. Nor, will one discover that many details didn't really exist in scripture. As a paraphrase, stories are often presented in a fresh way while remaining true to the original intent. Anyone who reads this story Bible will know God loves them and how God wants people to live. The beautiful illustrations by twenty artists from around the world show the diversity of God's people and how Jesus is seen in different contexts. I've reviewed children's bibles for 35 years and this is the best I've seen. This book is a delight and a true gift for anyone who wants to share God's love with a child.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Detailed! August 9, 2010

By A. Whipple

Format:Hardcover

Children of God Storybook Bible is a brand new children's Bible-not even released yet retold by Desmond Tutu! (Yet by the end of this review, maybe you'll be convinced to put it on your wishlist!) From the moment I opened this children's Bible, I knew I liked it! The table of contents displays the clear titles (no guessing which story you want), Bible reference, and page number. The fifty-six stories are included in this children's Bible all point to the gift of God's love for children everywhere. The stories themselves are well-written and include enough details to help a child learn the actual Bible story. (For example, in "The Trial and Death of Jesus" the Garden of Gethsemane is named as where Jesus was praying, and it explains that Pontius Pilate was the Roman ruler.) The recommended ages for this Bible are 4-7, but some younger children may enjoy this. Each story (and illustration) is over a two page spread. There is a main title and then a subtitle explaining how it relates to God. (For "Jonah and the Big Fish" the subtitle is "God loves everyone, even our enemies" with the reference Jonah 1-4.) Each ends with a short prayer. Tutu titled the story of the Beatitudes "Jesus Teaches the Secret to Happiness," which I think is incorrect. I don't think the goal here is for us to be happy, but to glorify God. The illustrations are amazing, and this Bible has twenty illustrators! They were invited by Archbishop Tutu to portray the stories with the style and richness of their own cultures. Though that means Jesus may look different from one page to another. Also, because the illustrators reflected their own cultures, Jesus is sometimes dark skinned and other times pale.... I do not believe Jesus was a white man, nor do I believe that he was black, so some of the illustrations are misleading to me. All in all, I do recommend this Bible!

This Bible was provided to me from Zonderkidz for review purposes. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, for Children of every age, and race. June 27, 2011

By danielj

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book for my Godson after having seen it in person. The vivid detail of the pictures, paired with the beautiful phrasing by Archbishop Tutu makes for the perfect children's bible. I highly recommend it as a standard bible for children under six years old. Jesus is depicted in many different skin tones, and with almost every ethnicity surrounding him. This book teach diversity without an agenda, and shares the love of Christ in colors almost as vibrant as the message.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Children of God Bible Story Book November 19, 2011

By ibjoy1953

Format:Hardcover

My Thoughts

Children of God Storybook Bible by: Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Deluxe Addition Includes Complete Book on Audio CD's

This Storybook Bible covers most of the stories we read to our children. It is beautifully illustrated with details that will capture the interest of young readers. A couple of pictures I didn't really think went with the others...but I will touch on that later.

Most of the stories were really good, teaching children the Biblical accounts of the situations in the Bible and teaching the characters to them. The pictures are so detailed that a small child can read the book just from the pictures, and I love books that are so detailed in illustrations.

About the illustrations. The Last Supper and one other seems grown-up for the book. They are so different from the other children's pictures. They are beautiful, but just don't fit well with the other illustrations. And I don't think a child can grasp what those pictures mean like he or she might the child like illustrations.

With the Bible stories, It says that Jesus realized that God was His father while at the temple, but I don't recall in the Bible where it states that Jesus didn't know who His real Father was. And In the Beatitudes story, Jesus is talking about blessings. Going to church all of my life, I've never heard the Beatitudes talked about as Happiness. Though Blessings bring us Peace, there is a big difference in Blessings and Happiness.

I also agree with another reviewer on statements about the Bible the author made. I've also always been taught that every word in the Bible is Breathed by God, (2 Timothy 3:16) so why wouldn't it not all be good to follow? But to be fair, the author could not mean it just the way it was said.... I would really like to hear his explanation of the statement he made.

Overall, I will use this to read stories to my young niece, but will correct those things I feel that are not correct. And as far as recommending this book, well that is up to you. Check out the reviews, the website of the book and the author and see what you think. Plus, this Deluxe addition of this book is that is also has 2 CD's with the complete book recorded.

This book was provide by Zondervan to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 55 Read more ›