Age 04-08. 4 Stars. There are a many well-written, poorly illustrated Bible storybooks, and even more well-illustrated versions which drift from the original meaning of the biblical text. Ruth Bell Graham’s Christmas Bible storybook, illustrated by award-winning artist Richard Jesse Watson, is visually one of the best Bible picture books I have seen, while remaining close to the original text of the Bible.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Peter Spier has again brought us an enthralling rendition of a beloved Bible story.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Susan Hunt, best known for her Christian ministry to women, has written a wonderful narrative exploration of Psalm 23.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. The Prince’s Poison Cup is a well-developed, transparent allegory for Jesus’ ransom of humanity from their sin… It comes with a study guide to help readers draw explicit connections between the story and the full Gospel. Unlike much Christian Bible literature, it is well written and the illustrations are artistically excellent. I highly recommend this book for children’s devotionals or simply as a good read-aloud.

Age 00-04. 5 Stars. Celebrate Family is a joyful presentation of the many blessings God gives through our families…. A joy-filled read, which complements the rest of the Celebrate series.

Age 00-04. 5 Stars. Celebrate Feelings… illustrates Paul’s comparison in 1 Corinthians 12:14-27 of the Christian church to a human body. The parts of the body are named, their functions are described, and they are wonderfully illustrated with candid black-and-white pictures of young children. Then comes a transition from body parts which work together, to individuals helping each other and working together like one body. This analogy is particularly appropriate for young children, who think in very concrete terms.

Age 00-04. 5 Stars. It takes a gifted author to communicate complex concepts both for adults and to children, and Bratton’s rich experience as a mother and gifted writer shines. Her text is comfortingly repetitive, developing simple concepts from Scripture so they are crystal clear… Rather than using extraordinary, airbrushed subjects for her photos, she focuses on ordinary individuals, captured in extraordinary moments. The result is an inviting, appealing experience both for read-aloud and toddler “read”-alone play.

Age 04-08. 5 Stars. Everyone should have at least one Noah’s Ark story, and Peter Spier’s version is one of the best available. It is especially well suited to children, with its wordless format and careful attention to visual detail.

Age 04-08. Paul Maier is a professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University and the author of A Skeleton in God’s Closet, a historical-theological thriller for adults. This book brings his formidable expertise to bear on the subject of the Nativity, presenting the story’s historical validity at a grade school level.

Age 00-04. 4 Stars. The Story of Christmas tells the traditional Nativity story, pleasantly illustrated with a single sentence describing each important scene… This is not an essential addition to a Christian family’s observance of Christmas, but is a very nice read-aloud for very young listeners. It covers the events in a detailed enough way that they will be familiar when the listener is ready for a fuller version. Its illustrations are more detailed than other Nativity board books I have seen and ought to provide some interest for toddler “read-alone” time as well as read-aloud.