DK Illustrated Family Bible. Sally Tagholm, Andrea Mills.
Illustrations by Julian De Narvaez. Dorling-Kindersley, 2013. (3-6) This 320 page volume is an excellent anthology of well-told, spectacularly illustrated Old and New Testament stories. Sally Tagholm has retold the key stories with grace and fidelity to the scriptural text. Andrea Mills has interspersed helpful historical background at the time of a particular event. Excellent maps and informative sidebars with photos are great assists. Many classical works of art bring the famous stories to life (Rembrandt's version of Belshazzar's Feast, for example, or Giotto's Presentation of Jesus in the temple) and the original artwork by de Narvaez (expressive pen and ink drawings enriched with subtle color) is striking and beautifully rendered. This is another DK triumph that will find a home on the shelf of believers or any family that recognizes Biblical literacy as an important goal. Specific stories are noted below as *pg... KJV Holy Bible for Kids. Hendrickson Publishers. 2008. 1108 pages. A colorful, complete King James version of the Bible for children (Old and New Testaments). The print is good size and translation is faithful. Includes supplementary sections on miracles of the Old Testament, New Testament, and Old Testament prophecies of the Passion and more. (Publisher recommends this for ages 8-12.)
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The Catholic Children's Bible. St. Mary's Press. 2018. Vividly illustrated, this Bible uses the Good News Translation, and has many kid-friendly features: a colorfully and helpfully divided Table of Contents, background information, close-ups on certain stories, though it is a complete Bible. Some may find the translation differs from classic Scripture renderings in ways that are jarring: for example, "Am I my brother's keeper?" is rendered as "Am I supposed to take care of my brother?" But it is instructive and engaging.
Douay-Rheims Bible - First Communion Gift Edition. St Benedict Press, 2020. Douay Rheims is a classic Catholic translation of the Bible. The text is accompanied by stories of lives of saints, daily Catholic prayers, and beautiful illustrations.
The Kingfisher Children’s Bible. Retold by Ann Pilling.
Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton. Kingfisher, 1993. (3-6) A fine retelling of the major Old and New Testament stories. Illustrated with wistful watercolors. |
The Good Samaritan and Other Parables Tomie DePaola.
Holiday House, 2017 (K-3) Some of the best known parables of Jesus, illustrated with jewel tone paintings. |
Tomie DePaola's Book of Bible Stories. Tomie DePaola.
Puffin Books, 2002 (2-4) |
Psalms for Young Children. Marie-Helene Delval. Illustrated by Arno Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2008 (K-3)
Selected psalms paraphrased for young children, accompanied by beautiful, bright illustrations. |
Young Jesus of Nazareth. Marianna Mayer.
Morrow, 1999. (1-4) Mayer draws on a variety of sources (biblical, mystical, and apocryphal) to weave this visually stunning narrative of Jesus’ youth. The nativity story is followed by the flight into Egypt, the holy family’s life in that land, their return to Nazareth, the finding of the child Jesus in the temple, etc. Art from the old masters make this a rich book. Mayer provides a good explanatory note for adult readers. |
Moses’ Ark. Stories from the Bible. Alice Bach and J. Cheryl Exum. Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. Delacourt Press, 1989 (3-6) Schools of Faith
13 Bible stories (taken from Genesis through Kings) lyrically told and beautifully illustrated. These stories help you to understand the times and culture as well as enticing you to learn more about these times and people. The endnotes illuminate details that add to the history. |
The Life of Jesus in Masterpieces of Art. Mary Pope Osborne.
Viking, 1998. (3-5) This vivid and beautiful recounting of the life of Jesus is the best overview currently available at the elementary school level. Osborne has written a lovely text that is faithful to the gospels but clear and intelligible to third graders. Every episode from the Life of Jesus is portrayed, as the title indicates, in classic works of art that both awe and inspire the reader. |
Jesus heals:
Jesus feeds hungry crowds (Mt 14:13-21; Mt 15:29-39; Mk 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17) Parable of The Good Samaritan: care for the stranger and outcast (Luke 10:25-37) Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man: attending to the needs of the poor (Luke 16:19-31) |
Queen Esther. Tomie dePaola. Ignatius Press, 2020 (K-2) Courage, Loyalty, Schools of Faith
A recently re-published edition of the classic Bible story first told by de Paola in 1986. Esther stands up for her people and overcomes the influence of the evil Haman. Esther’s Story. Diane Wolkstein.
Illustrated by Juan Wijngaard. Harper Trophy, 1998. (3-5)Loyalty A moving retelling of the Old Testament story, in which one woman’s faithfulness and courage save her people. When the King’s advisor, Haman, hatches a plot against the Jews, Esther, the Jewish girl turned Persian Queen, intercedes for her people. She risks ignominy and death to foil the scheme. Glorious illustrations bring new life to the ancient story. |
The Story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. Michael McCarthy.
Illustrated by Giuliano Ferri. Barefoot Books, 2003 (1-2) Courage David and Goliath.
Beatrice Schenk de Regniers Illustrated by Scott Cameron. Orchard Books, 1996. (2-6) A stunningly illustrated and fast-paced retelling of the Old Testament classic in which young David, the weakest and least respected of eight brothers, agrees to do battle against the Philistine giant, Goliath. With slingshot in hand and courage from above, David triumphs. Out of print at present but easy to track down and worth the effort. |
Noah's Ark. Jerry Pinkney. Chronicle Books, 2002 (K-6) Faith, Hope
Joseph. Brian Wildsmith. Erdmans Publishing Co, 1997 (K-3)
Wildsmith's beautiful watercolors bring the story of Joseph to life. |
Exodus. Brian Wildsmith. Erdmans Publishing Co, 1998 (K-4)
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The Feeding of the Five Thousand: *pg 233; Mt14:13-21; Lk 9:12-17;Mk 6:31-44; Jn 6:1-14
Lazarus and the Rich Man: *pg 238; Lk 16:19-31 The Rich Young Man: *pg 241; Mt 19:16-30; Lk 18:18-30; Mk 10:17-31 |
The Story of the Three Wise Kings. Tomie DePaola. Putnam Juvenile, 1983
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Exodus. Brian Wildsmith. Erdmans Publishing Co, 1998 (K-4)
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Noah's Ark. Jerry Pinkney. Chronicle Books, 2002 (K-6)
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A Christmas Story. Brian Wildsmith. Oxford University Press, 2007 (K-6)
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The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie DePaola. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012 (K)
A lovely retelling of the Christmas story from the perspective of the birds. Charming DePaola illustrations highlight the events of the Nativity. |