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Timeless biblical stories are lovingly brought to a child's level in this read-aloud treasury. Editor William Bennett (
The Children's Book of Virtues) starts with "Daniel in the Lion's Den," a story that epitomizes the courage it takes to stand firm in one's faith. While he also includes the story of "The Little Lost Lamb" (based on Luke 15: 3-7), Bennett is broad-minded enough to include numerous other stories that touch upon the meaning of faith without being biblical in origin. For instance, young readers will be exposed to great writers such as Leo Tolstoy in the short story "Where Love Is, God Is" and Oscar Wilde in "The Selfish Giant." Although the old-fashioned style of illustrations will no doubt feel nostalgic for some, they are also a throwback to a time when white folks were the only people represented in children's Christian literature. Even Moses has light skin. One of the few characters to actually have color in his face is the bald, brown-skinned devil. A shameful lapse in an otherwise noble attempt.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 4-This is a m?lange of Bible stories (Daniel, Samuel), prayers, poems, Scripture passages, saintly legends (Christopher, Martin of Tours), biographical material (on Clara Barton, Louis Braille, John Newton), classic writings (by Leo Tolstoy, Hans Christian Andersen, Robert Browning, Oscar Wilde), and patriotic quotations (from Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson). It has almost all familiar material, often retold in clear, basic language. Its purpose, to quote from the introduction, is "to help youngsters learn that we all belong to the Almighty, and that we must strive to live in ways that glorify him." The emphasis is Christian. Organization is nonexistent; all of the different genres are mixed together, with no information as to their origins or if they're based on fact or original stories. The material is presented in a large format with well-spaced type and illustrated with full-color paintings of all sizes, which give interest and drama to the text. However, they have an old-fashioned look that often resembles 1950s' Sunday-school tracts. While some homes and church libraries may want this, most school and public libraries have all of these selections in more attractive, better organized sources.
Patricia Pearl Dole, formerly at First Presbyterian School, Martinsville, VA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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