Little Girls Bible Storybook for Mothers and Daughters [Hardcover]

Carolyn Larsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Little Girls

Fifty Bible stories, imaginatively told from the perspective of the woman who lived them, will help girls ages 4-7 build character and faith. Each story includes a question or simple activity that will spark discussion and help moms teach their daughters how to apply the Bible's truths. Filled with fun, colorful illustration by Caron Turk.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carolyn Larsen has written more than thirty books for children and adults. She is a frequent conference speaker around the world, bringing scriptural messages filled with humor and tenderness. She is also active in a theater troupe and cofounded the group Flashpoints, which uses drama and creative movement to minister at women's events. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books; Reprinted edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801044073
• ISBN-13: 978-0801044076
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #168,128 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carolyn Larsen has written more than 40 books for children and adults. She is best known as the author of the Little Girls Bible Storybook line of products, which have collectively sold more than one million units. In addition, Carolyn is a speaker who has taught and spoken extensively in the United States and overseas. She is the cofounder of the performing group Flashpoints, which is comprised of five women who share a God-ignited passion to encourage women and girls to know God better through drama, creative movement, signing, and humor. Carolyn is the mother of three and lives with her husband in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great and I agree with the reviews here BUT a word of caution ..., January 2, 2010

By 

BeautifulNBlessed (In the Mountains) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Girls Bible Storybook for Mothers and Daughters (Hardcover)

Hi

I totally agree with all of the reviews listed here in terms of how precious and wonderful this little bible is, however ... i felt it right to come on here and put a review (in case this might bother some as it did us). Truly, it's the only negative thing I have to say about the bible, but really might be a big enough negative to some people that it's worth mentioning and is the reason I can only give it 2 stars.

The bible adds feelings/extras to the character stories, that we truly don't know were there, and sometimes we felt they were perhaps even incorrect or rude. Sorry forgive me that I don't have all the actual bible examples right in front of me to quote from - but I will try to do my best to describe an example of what I mean by adds feelings/extras (which seriously at times it really bothered us):

When reading one of the bible stories, for instance pg 264 of the boys version of this bible; it reads "The jailer shoved Paul into the damp dark cell. It was buried in the very center of the prison. Roaches and ants scurried across the floor as Paul fell onto it. Paul had been in prison before, but this time he and Silas were in big trouble. The jailer had strict orders to be sure they didn't escape." (that seems fine and like a nice little bible story, but here is where it bets bothersome) pg265 - "All I did was set a young girl free from the demon that controlled her, Paul thought. You'd think people would thank me for saving her." Sorry but things like this really bothered us. We didn't feel it was a fair representation of the humble, gracious servant's heart that Paul displays throughout the Bible in the New Testament ... or that it was even accurately portraying something Paul would have thought. It's almost insulting to the Lord as if one of God's most incredible servants had a bad attitude about the work he was doing for Christ!

There are many examples like this throughout the bible. This is it's only flaw pretty much but it is a big enough one for us that we overall don't like it. Otherwise it would be great. There are also instances of rude statements that we discourage our children from using, like "he's stupid" and so on. There are also other things they add to the story that bothered us because they weren't part of the bible. Like the story of Mary when the angel came says something like "Mary was sitting there knitting booties." We really don't know that and in fact a bible scholar might be able to verify this but back in the bible days, I don't think they had knitting needles. Not that that really matters but perhaps it does. If we are going to set the scene to portray back in that day, I want my kids to have an accurate description and NOT to think that something that is NOT in the verses of the bible, happened. Like Mary knitting booties or Paul grumbling in his cell while he served the Lord. Paul won many to Christ while IN PRISON and I don't think it was through grumbling. What kind of example of Christ would that be and why would someone want to believe him and convert to Christianity if he displayed that kind of attitude.

Overall, I think there are much better bible's out that that don't risk distorting the Word or the Bible Stories and portray invalid feelings and events.

This was a big enough dislike and concern of ours, that we don't like to use these bibles when there are so many others to choose from.

Hope that helps :)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughful and Whimsical, Invitation to Care & Share!, December 8, 1999

By 

Martha Lichter (Chicagoland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Girls Bible Storybook for Mothers and Daughters (Hardcover)

Special book for little girls. I gave three for gifts and received very positive feedback from moms. The illustrations are delightful! Make sure you hunt for the little angel with pink & white polka dot wings in every picture! Each chapter is an open invitation for dialogue about the Bible story and how its teachings relate to our everyday lives. I can't wait to add the other books by the same author & illustrator to my favorite little girl's collection.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Dangerous Book..., July 1, 2010

By 

Suzanne Osborn (Little Rock, AR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Little Girls Bible Storybook for Mothers and Daughters (Hardcover)

Yes, I said "dangerous."

The author has taken great liberties with the Scriptures, not only adding inner thoughts and speech to the men and women of the Bible, but, in several instances, changing or adding to the facts.

For example, on page 20, in the story of Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit: "That fruit is from the tree God told us to stay away from," Adam shouted. But he couldn't resist taking a bite of it, too.

Biblical Account---So when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make [one] wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. - Gen 3:6 NKJV

In "Whatever You Say, Dear" about "Mrs. Noah": "But we don't have any children," Mrs. Noah objected. "You'd better start knitting booties, my dear. I think God has a plan for us." Noah smiled... By the time the ark was built, Mrs. Noah had three sons--and they were all grown up and married.

Biblical Account---[9] This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. [10] And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. [11] The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. [12] So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. [13] And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. [14] Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. ... [17] And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which [is] the breath of life; everything that [is] on the earth shall die. [18] But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark--you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. ... [21] And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather [it] to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them." [22] Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. - Gen 6:9-14, 17-18, 21-22 NKJV

Later, when the "Noahs" leave the ark: In the middle of their celebrating, Mrs. Noah gasped, "That't the most beautiful rainbow I've ever seen!"

Biblical Account---[12] And God said: "This [is] the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations: [13] I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. [14] It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; [15] and I will remember My covenant which [is] between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. - Gen 9:12-15 NKJV

In the story of Hagar and Ishmael being sent away: When Hagar looked up, an angel was beside her.

Biblical Account---[17] And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he [is]. [18] Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation." [19] Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. - Gen 21:17-19 NKJV

The whole rendition of Abraham's sacrifice is full of supposition as to what the people involved felt and said.

Isaac's blessing of Jacob, Isaac is quoted as saying: "My beloved son Esau, may God bless you richly..."

Biblical Account---[27] And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him and said: "Surely, the smell of my son [Is] like the smell of a field Which the LORD has blessed. [28] Therefore may God give you Of the dew of heaven, Of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and wine. [29] Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, And let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed [be] everyone who curses you, And blessed [be] those who bless you!" - Gen 27:27-29 NKJV

Isaac never called him by name during the blessing.

Later in the same story: Barely able to control his joy, Jacob ran out and hugged his mother. Together they danced and celebrated.

There is no record of a celebration and I think it's in poor taste to depict Jacob and his mother rejoicing in their deception... not a lesson I want to share with my daughter.

In the story of Moses' birth: Jochebed hugged her newborn baby, promising herself to protect him from Pharoah's soldiers-even though they had orders to kill all the Hebrew baby boys.

Biblical Account---[15] Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one [was] Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; [16] and he said, "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see [them] on the birthstools, if it [is] a son, then you shall kill him; but if it [is] a daughter, then she shall live." [17] But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. [18] So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?" [19] And the midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women [are] not like the Egyptian women; for they [are] lively and give birth before the midwives come to them." ... [22] So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive." - Exd 1:15-19, 22 NKJV

Soldiers are never mentioned. ALL the people of Egypt were commanded to kill the babies as they were born.

Then in the actual Exodus story, beginning with the final plague: That night hundreds of Egyptian children died...

Biblical Account---[29] And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who [was] in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. ... [37] Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. [38] A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds--a great deal of livestock. - Exd 12:29, 37-38 NKJV

Although the children of Israel outnumbered the Egyptians [[9] And he said to his people, "Look, the people of the children of Israel [are] more and mightier than we; - Exd 1:9 NKJV], it stands to reason that the Egyptian population had to be at least in the ten of thousands, in order to have held dominion over the Israelites, therefore the number of dead had to number in the thousands, not the hundreds.

These are examples from the first third of the 359 page book.

While a lot of the "Becoming a Woman of God" segments are wonderful, they certainly are strong enough to stand without embellishing and falsifying the scriptures they are highlighting. I may tear some of them out before I throw this book away, like the one on prayer journaling. I would have preferred a format where the author recites scripture, verbatim, then poses questions, such as "How do you think Sarah might have felt as Abraham and Isaac left to present a sacrifice without a lamb or goat?", instead of putting words in her mouth.

I like the premise of exploring how the other players in the stories may have felt, I just don't want to present it to my child as biblical fact. These may seem like trivial objections to some, but Jesus said:

[42] "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. - Mar 9:42 NKJV

[2] It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. - Luk 17:2 NKJV

To me, misleading children as to what is in the Bible is an offense that can cause them to stumble, much like telling them there is a Santa or Easter Bunny, only to find as they've grown up that they've been misled by someone they trusted. We must be careful what our children are taught at impressionable ages, as they soak up and retain everything they're told.