The Children's Illustrated Bible [Hardcover]

Selina Hastings (Author), Eric Thomas (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 2004 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Written in conjunction with educators, scholars, and religious advisors, this retelling of favorite Old and New Testament stories retains the original feel and poetry of the Bible while appealing to contemporary young readers. DK's Children's Illustrated Bible features some of the best-known Bible tales, including, the Birth of Jesus, Jacob's Ladder, Noah's Ark, and the Resurrection, written especially for children in a clear, easy-to-understand tone. A "Who's Who in the Bible Stories" section and quotations from the King James Bible, listed by chapter and verse, add even more value to this unique resource.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A smaller, fatter version of Selina Hastings's outstanding edition of The Children's Illustrated Bible, this child-size volume is just right for the beginning Bible student. Hastings retells the stories of the Old and New Testaments in a lucid, flowing style for children's enjoyment and edification. Hastings consulted with a cadre of educators, scholars, and religious advisors to retain the original feel and poetry of the Bible, while appealing to contemporary young readers with clear, lively language. The somewhat lackluster illustrations on every page are not nearly as compelling as the stories themselves, but the variety of other artwork, including maps and color photographs of artifacts, plants, biblical places, animals, people, and architecture, makes up for any deficit there. All the best-known parables and teachings are here, including "The Golden Calf," "Sodom and Gomorrah," "The Garden of Eden," "Jesus Walks on the Water," The Parable of the Talents," and "The Crucifixion," among many others. This volume also includes a "Who's Who in the Bible Stories" as well as quotations from the King James Bible, identified by chapter and verse. Hastings has written several other collections of Bible stories, including The Birth of Jesus and The Miracles of Jesus. (Ages 8 and older) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Considering the spectacular graphics of most Dorling Kindersley books, this illustrated Bible may be something of a disappointment. The book combines small photographs with rather listless pastel artwork. The color photos show artifacts, clothing, architecture, and various plants and animals of biblical times, among many other items. The big draw here is not the art, but rather the fluent retellings and the chapters of background information that place the stories in their historical and geographical contexts. Topics include life in Canaan, the land of the New Testament, and the early Church. A comprehensive volume that should find a place on religion shelves. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (February 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756602610
• ISBN-13: 978-0756602611
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sunday School Teacher recommends this Bible!, February 4, 2004

By 

S. A. Cartwright "Stu Cartwright" (Wayland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Children's Illustrated Bible (Hardcover)

I have been a catechist, teaching elementary school age children for over four years. I use this book extensively in my sessions with the kids, because they listen...intently. Rather than many dumbed-down, Disneyesque versions of children's Bibles that I have seen, and rather than the somewhat lame materials offered by our church, the Children's Illustrated Bible connects with kids. It does not insult their intelligence, but enhances it. The rich liturgies of the Old and New Testaments are brought to life with vivid portraiture and detailed factual explanation. Want to know more about life in the Middle East in biblical times? It's there. Want to know what type of wood might have been used in the Ark? Or what mountain range Ararat belongs to?

My students, ages 5-9, are harsh critics. When something isn't real, or interesting, or meaningful, they simply turn off. Too many of the standard cut, color and paste exercises last five minutes with them. But when I pull this book out to read the wonderful stories of Noah, Moses, the Flight from Egypt, Jesus calming the sea, and so forth - the kids listen with mouths agape. They strain their necks to see the beautiful illustrations and pictures.

This Bible is an excellent gift for god-children, for nieces and nephews, for your kids. Even if you are not religious, your kids will benefit deeply from hearing and reading the wonderful tales of the Judeo-Christian tradition, and step up their cultural literacy significantly.

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warning: This book is printed in two sizes, October 19, 2005

By 

Yvonne (Southgate, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Children's Illustrated Bible (Hardcover)

This larger edition of the Children's Illustrated Bible has large pictures plus print that is big enough to be very easily read. (The smaller book, ISBN number 0-7894-5331-2, is about 2/3 the size of this book.)

The pictures are realistic and not the silly cortoon-like figures you see in some children's bibles. I have read through a few of the stories, and they are short, precise and very well written. Interesting background information is given and illistrated in the margins.

The high quality of the writting, the background information and the pictures deserve a 5-star rating. However, the book is not perfect. For instance, Hasting has Jesus teaching the Lord's prayer as "Our Lord in heaven..."

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Children's Illustrated Bible is a good investment!, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Children's Illustrated Bible (Hardcover)

An important part of our nighttime routine is our evening devotion and The Children's Illustrated Bible has been an important tool. This Bible has translated God's word into story-like form for children, but it is easy to find the Book/Chapter reference from the Bible. This Bible also gives the child the feel of the times, like showing plants, utencils, and statues that are mentioned in the story. This book has broken the Bible into short stories and user guides. A must have in every family!