Pre-School Bible Story Books

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  • September 9, 2010 at 8:14 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    I’m looking for life-like beautifully illustrated individual Bible story books for my 3yo ds. Ones he can hold in his hand, look through, and have me read to him – without taking away from the scriptures, adding to them, or looking cartoonish. Do something like these exist or am I only dreaming?

    Thanks ~ Heather

    September 9, 2010 at 8:47 pm
    morgrace
    Participant

    I found “Stories From the Life of Jesus” illustrated by Tony Morris at our library. (Published 1992 by Brimax books) the back states there are several in the series – and that they are for 4-8 year olds, but my 2.5 year old will sit through a reading, and I will summarize as I’m reading if she’s squirmy. I found the artwork to be absoultely beautiful and have been looking for the other books, and did find “The Birth of Jesus”. The text reads a bit like a Sunday school lesson, but I found the illustrations compensate for this bit. Maybe not exactly what you are looking for, but perhaps a start.

    September 9, 2010 at 10:21 pm
    LindseyD
    Participant

    The Tale of Three Trees is one of our favorites! It’s not a Bible story book, but it is a beautiful story with wonderful illustrations.

    Other than that, I have no idea if the type of book you’re wanting exists!

     

    September 9, 2010 at 11:30 pm
    csmamma
    Participant

    Thanks morgrace! I put a few of those you suggested on loan from my library – they may be close to what I’m looking for.

    Lindsey, we’ll have to add “The Tale of the Three Trees” to the favorite christian picture book post (link below)- I almost forgot about that one.

    http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/picture-books-1

    I guess what I’m looking for is a condensed illustrated Bible divided into separate books with lavish illustrations for young ones – I’m really beginning to think my order is way too tall Undecided.

    Blessings,

    Heather

    September 10, 2010 at 6:04 pm
    Tukata
    Participant

    We love The ESV Illustrated Family Bible.  It may be a bit advanced for your 3 year old, but probably in a year or so he could sit through a story. The illustrations are beautiful and the wording is actually directly from the ESV Bible.  It is broken into 270 selections.  The stories are short (maybe 5 minutes) and if a story in the Bible is too long they will take out parts and let you know by putting “…”.  We started this Bible with my dd when she was 4 and she loved that it was the real Bible.  Now she is able to sit through the real Bible without pictures.  It really helped her with the transition.  My other dd is almost 3 and she’s not quite ready for it so we still use a children’s Bible with her (The Rhyme Bible – not exactly what you’re looking for, but she loves it…).  I’m hoping in the next year or so she will be able to listen. 

    Erin =)

    May 20, 2011 at 5:19 am
    Questa7
    Member

    I know again that this is an old post, but thought I would bump it to see if anyone had any thoughts.  My husband and I have been very frustrated with the quality of preschool-age Bible story books available for a number of reasons.  1) Cartoony illustrations (would really love to see something for this level with quality illustrations; 2) portrayals (in said illustrations) of Christ and his followers as “white” or westernized–not historically accurate; and 3) of course, the verbal content–leaning more towards the more violent or “exciting” stories–using overly simplified, twaddlish language–and so on.

    We have thrown out (or donated) a number of Bible story books for these reasons.

    I would LOVE to hear if anyone has come across either a collection or series with short texts (appropriate for story time for a preschooler), beautiful illustrations that make at least an attempt at historical accuracy, and representative content from the Bible (i.e., not JUST David and Goliath, Daniel in the lion’s den, etc.) 

    if you have any suggestions…thanks in advance!!

    May 20, 2011 at 10:54 am
    csmamma
    Participant

    As far as a preschool Bible goes, the closest thing we’ve found so far is Family-Time Bible in Pictures by Kenneth Taylor. I’m looking forward to hearing responses on this one. A good pre-school Bible is hard to come by. Blessings, Heather

    May 20, 2011 at 11:59 am
    missceegee
    Participant

    We have and like the Kenneth Taylor one also. 

    DD4 (3 at time) received 101 Favorite Stories from the Bible by Ura Miller from her grandparents for Christmas. It’s lovely illustrations, abbreviated, but not watered down stories are just perfect for her. We also like Catherine Vos’ story Bible, but wish it had pictures for the youngest ones.

    Blessings,

    Christie

    May 20, 2011 at 2:21 pm
    Questa7
    Member

    Thank you Christie and Heather!  I will look for both the Family Time Bible and for the 101 Favorite Stories. I appreciate the recommendations.

    May 20, 2011 at 3:14 pm
    Janell
    Participant

    Another but expensive option is the A Beka Bible flash a cards. These are large, beautiful pictures of Bible Stories including an accompanying booklet with the stories and Bible references. We use these with our Bible reading and The Child’s Story Bible by Vos. The younger ones enjoy the illustrations and get a lot out of these from A Beka Book. http://www.abeka.com/ABekaOnline/ProductSearch.aspx?grade=&subject=BIBLE+FACS%2cBIBLE%2cFOREIGN+BIB+FAC&title=&sbn=

    These are similar to the ones Mr. Fix it uses when telling children Bible stories on this Moody DVD  http://www.keepersofthefaith.com/product/MrFixItBibleDVD.html We don’t watch DVDs often…but this one is wonderful and demonstrates the use of the A Beka flash a cards for younger children. I purchased art portfolios to help keep the cards bound and protected…Mr. Fix It style. http://www.misterart.com/display-presentation/binders-and-display-books/itoya-art-profolio-storage-display-book.html

    Janell

    November 8, 2011 at 7:36 pm
    lauraz76
    Participant

    I was coming here to find specific ideas on teaching my 3yo the Bible, so thanks for all these ideas!!  We have a few children’s bibles, but nothing is really usable, to me, in actually teaching the different stories.  They’re OK to sit down and “read the Bible” with her, but not to teach the stories.  And sadly, I don’t really know how to teach the stories very well. 

    You weren’t kidding about the cost of those ABeka cards, though!  I like them, but can’t tell a whole lot from their website.  Are there several picture cards per story?  Are the cards large? 

    November 8, 2011 at 8:40 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    Lauraz, don’t underestimate reading the word or the Bible stories. Putting kids in contact with great books is simple, yet effective. I’ve found that simply reading, having the kids narrate and natural discussion are more than adequate. You can add other things in, but it isn’t necessary. 

    We have the Betty Lukens Bible in Felt figures and use those when teaching kids at church and occasionally at home. They are a nice addition, but not totally necessary in my humble opinion.

    November 8, 2011 at 9:01 pm
    MamaSnow
    Participant

    I was going to echo what missceegee said about not underestimating simply reading the Bible with your young children, and not stressing out about ‘teaching’ it per se. When my oldest was 2-3ish, I wanted to try and teach her the Bible more creatively, but had a hard time keeping up with any more “creative” ideas. Eventually, I figured that it was better to just keep reading the Bible stories to them rather than stressing over it. My oldest is 6 now and we are starting to see the fruit of all these stories that she has heard from the time she was a toddler – she is starting to ask more questions about what she hears which opens up opportunties for more discussion, and I’ve even had her Sunday School teacher at church comment on how she seems to really know and love the Bible. So, keep reading and trust that these truths are taking root in your 3yo’s heart, and will bear fruit in good time. God promises that His Word never returns void!

    Jen

    November 8, 2011 at 9:07 pm
    erin.kate
    Participant

    We LOVE LOVE LOVE The Jesus Storybook Bible. Absolutely gorgeous and my 3yo listens intently while staring at the illustrations.

    November 9, 2011 at 12:05 am
    lauraz76
    Participant

    I guess I was feeling guilty (again) that my child doesn’t really ‘know’ any Bible stories yet.  We read bibles, I have bible ‘bookmarks’ I made that she plays with, we pray, and discuss god and Jesus in our daily life.  I feel bad when she learns more stories in Sunday school than with me; and even worse when the other children can answer bible story questions and she cannot.  Embarassed 

    erin.kate, I agree, I LOVE the Jesus Storybook bible, I’d forgotten about that one.  It is definitely story-like, and even captures my attention and heart! 

    today we had a spur-of-the-moment teaching on Noah’s Ark, that’s what got me thinking about it.  She’s suddenly decided she loves ‘crafts’, so when we did a Froot Loop rainbow craft, I suddenly printed off a few teachables on Noah’s Ark, and read her Noah’s Ark book.  yay me for on-the-spot education! 

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