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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fresh and graphically interesting retelling..., August 11, 2000
In my search for quality Christian books for children, I have been more disapointed than not. Many books out there are heavy handed, poorly illustrated, and often downright boring. Encouragingly, this book succeeds in areas where many fail.The author and illustrator (like Jesus) exhibit a sharp awareness of audience. They resist the urge to cover too much material (a sure way to bore small children) and instead concentrate on telling just five stories well. The first volume includes the story of Zaccheus, the healing of Bartemaeus, Jesus welcoming the little children, the calming of the storm, and the healing of ten men. The text captures the enthusiasm and spirit of each story. Albeit, the word choice can get a bit cutesy at times, but in general the stories are told effectively and in a fashion that makes for good oral reading (as the title claims). At the end of each story, there is a page that briefly summarizes a few of the key points in the story (ie., what the child is supposed to get out of it). Some may find this a bit heavy handed, but I really liked this touch. Repetition is great for children, and it encourages them to reflect on each story and apply it to their lives (modeling good reading skills). The abundance of bold illustrations capture children's attention. Whereas in some children's bible books, the illustrations are predictable and more of an afterthought, in this series, they take center stage. The pictures are vivid and uncomplicated, incorporating strong lines and bold colors. I appreciate the illustrator's ingenuity and variety of perspective. Overall, I think that this series is a great foundation block in any children's library. Good job!
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by David R. Helm
by Ella K. Lindvall
by Susan Hunt
by Kelly Pulley
by Timothy Keller
