There are so many storybook Bibles available that it is hard to choose which is best for your children. We own two, and we’ve read through one of them so many times that I practically have it memorized. I’ve been considering getting another, namely one that has additional stories.
I checked out a few storybook Bibles from our local library so I could compare them. I figured some of you might also be in the market for a storybook Bible and would appreciate seeing how they compare.
Comparison of children’s storybook Bibles
The Beginner’s Bible
- Full title: The Beginner’s Bible: Timeless Children’s Stories
- List price: $16.99
- Age recommendation: 4-8 years
- Publisher: Zonderkidz
- Author/illustrator: Not specified/Kelly Pulley
- Length of book: 512 pages
- Number of stories: 94
- Approximate length of each story: 235 words
- Available in electronic format: Yes
- Illustrations: Colorful, cartoonlike
The Bible for Young Children
- Full title: The Bible for Young Children
- List price: $16.50
- Age recommendation: 4-8 years
- Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
- Author/illustrator: Marie-Helene Delval/Jean-Claude Götting
- Length: 96 pages
- Number of stories: 9
- Approximate length of each story: 152 words
- Available in electronic format: No
- Illustrations: Bold, impressionistic
Children of God Storybook Bible
- Full title: Children of God Storybook Bible
- List price: $18.99
- Age recommendation: 4-7 years
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Author/illustrators: Archbishop Desmond Tutu/Various illustrators
- Length: 128 pages
- Number of stories: 56
- Approximate length of each story: 196 words
- Available in electronic format: Yes
- Illustrations: Varies from one story to the next
The Jesus Storybook Bible
- Full title: The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
- List price: $17.99
- Age recommendation: 4 years and up
- Publisher: ZonderKidz
- Author/illustrator: Sally Lloyd-Jones/Jago
- Length: 352 pages
- Number of stories: 44
- Approximate length of each story: 469 words
- Available in electronic format: Yes
- Illustrations: Colorful, whimsical
The Story for Children
- Full title: The Story for Children, a Storybook Bible
- List price: $19.99
- Age recommendation: 4-8 years
- Publisher: Zonderkidz
- Authors/illustrator: Max Lucado, Randy Frazee, and Karen Davis Hill/Fausto Bianchi
- Length: 288 pages
- Number of stories: 48
- Approximate length of each story: 289 words
- Available in electronic format: Yes
- Illustrations: Colorful, lifelike
The big thing that I didn’t compare here is how closely the stories in each book reflect the Bible. The authors and illustrators of all storybook Bibles use some artistic license in their books; they present details that aren’t provided in the Bible. If you want to avoid this, then you must read to your children directly from the Bible. However, if you’re going to use a storybook Bible, then you must assess your options to see which has content that is most acceptable to you. Like me, you likely can’t afford to purchase each to read it for yourself, so check them out from your local library, look through them at bookstores, read online reviews, and get recommendations from trusted friends and family members before making a purchase.
Whichever you choose, read it to your kids and read it often!
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9
Which storybook Bible do you use with your kids? If you have experience with ones I haven’t listed here, then I’d love for you to share about them in the comments!
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