Review: The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes

 

Even though we grew up states apart, my husband and I grew up with the same children’s devotional.  Both of our families used the The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes book.  I know of other families who used this devotional as well.  The author, Kenneth Taylor, founded Tynale House Publishing and was best known for creating The Living Bible.  He was also the author of my favorite Big Thoughts for Little People (review) book.  You may recognize the picture of Pharoah’s daughter drawing Moses out of the river that graced the cover of the 1978 first edition devotional.  Interestingly, I see the older version sells for $45.89 on Amazon!  Must be lots of people who like this one.

When I started writing the ABCJLM curriculum, I knew the Bible in Pictures was one of the children’s Bibles that I wanted to use.  I realized that it had been updated in 2004 and I wondered what the differences were.  What I learned is that if you liked this children’s Bible then, you will probably like it now.  The Bible stories are exactly the same.  The stories are short and easily read.

There are three Bibles that I suggest in the ABCJLM curriculum each of them having their place.  The Beginner’s Bible reads more like the Bible.   My Story Bible: 66 Favorite Stories draws the child in with great story telling.  The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes doesn’t shy away from the truth.  Many times the stories involve questions to get the listener to think.  The Bible is made easily understood without not sugar coating the truth.

After each short story, three questions follow to check comprehension.  These are the same questions from the earlier edition (only using three questions if there were more).  Titles, a table of context, and prayers have been added to this edition.  I definitely like the table of context.  The prayers are one or two sentences long written around the story.

The biggest complaint that the new edition has received is the pictures.  Just as the Moses picture above has stuck in my mind for thirty years so have many more of the mural-type pictures.  They were distinct and memorable.  These pictures have been exchanged for cartoon like illustrations.  In some way, the mural-type pictures seemed to fit this Bible better.  The honest stories mixed with the cartoon pictures almost seem contraditory.  Because of the writing style used, this Bible lends better toward the older preschool and elementary aged children.

Night time devotions are Daddy’s time with the kids.  Honestly, he isn’t a fan of the Little Eyes Bible.  He prefers The Beginner’s Bible because it reads more like a Bible.  This is also a man who doesn’t use devotionals or commentaries as an adult.  He wants the Bible and the Holy Spirit.  Period.  Because I like to have the aids along side, I tend to lean the same way when teaching my children.  I believe this Bible is a good mix with the other two suggested in the curriculum.

There is a reason why this Bible has lastest 33 years.  Biblical truth written in a way that affects lives.

Thank you to Moody Press for the opportunity to review this book.