Early Readers Bible

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding achievement, buy this and not a "spin off"
Review: As an early childhood program director for a large church and the parent of children who were reluctant readers, I was truly impressed with this outstaning children's bible. It proved to be a favorite devotional bible in our household from age 4 through age 9.

V. Gilbert Beers is an expert in christian education and understands children's developmental needs. When it first came out, this bible nicely filled the gap between publications for early childhood and the primary grades. Beers has created a text that builds word upon word, skill upon skill, just as a good school reading series does. The biblical text is accurate and engaging and is accompanied by wonderful colorful illustrations that enhance the stories with visual cues that aid reading comprehension. I also found this bible is a good choice for older children with reading delays. The pages are laid out with children's visual skills in mind and are easily "taken in" by children with visual/perceptual difficulties. Each chapter ends with an interactive section of things to think about and try. Children can act on what they've read immediately, and that's what children like! I've known 4 years olds who can begin to read words from this text on their own, and six year olds that can master it and read it to their friends. I have recommended this book to dozens of parents and Sunday school leaders looking for an appropriate bible for chidren ages 4 through 8.

Don't bother with the "knock offs" you'll find with similar titles; they don't hold a candle to this original and best of it's kind. There are, however, two other worthwhile and engaging bibles I've found that pay close attention to fun use of language or reading skills: The Rhyme Bible, and the Growing Reader's Phonics Bible. But, the Early Readers Bible remains my all around favorite for this developmental group. A great choice for cozy bedtime reading aloud to your two through 9 year olds, too.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful
Review: I exchanged The Eager Reader's Bible by Daniel J. Hochstatter and Daryl J. Lucas for this book, and am glad I did.

The illustrations are far more serious and respectful of the text than are those in Eager Reader, and the authors have created a short series of questions to follow each story, such as "Why should you try to please God in all that you do?" or "How do you know when something is bad?" The questions allow a parent or a Sunday School teacher to help young children reflect upon and absorb the Bible story he's just read or heard.

When I asked my 6 year old why we try to please God he answered with a question, saying, "Because God is our boss?" Although that would be a good answer for some (I'm not suggesting it's wrong) in my faith we lean toward the notion that we aim to please God because He is the ultimate source of wisdom and goodness. God knows what is right and what is wrong, and we try to please him in order to do right.

My son and I were able to talk about this only because the questions were there. I wouldn't have thought of them on my own, and I think the questions are both profound and developmentally on-target. The authors have insights into children's understanding of God that probably few of us parents do.

It is also the best choice for a new reader. My son is a just-turned-six year old who learned to read about 6 months ago. The book is designed along the lines of an "I Can Read" book. Each story has a short list of new words on the first page, and at the back of the book the authors provide a "Basic Words List" and a "New Words List." The back cover says that the text features "250 basic words used in public school early reader books" as well as "200 new words including Bible vocabulary, with fewer than five new words introduced in each story." My son can read this Bible on his own whereas the Eager Reader Bible would have been too hard.

This is a wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding achievement, buy this and not a "spin off"
Review: Initially we started reading this to my toddler because he loved his Noah's Ark board books, and I wanted to read him a more in-depth story. Then, we've expanded to all the stories of the Bible. He now finishes the sentances for me! This is the book I will give all my son's playgroup frineds, as it is colorful and simple, yet interesting for them. As my son grows, it will be a simple move to step him up to a complete Bible. Even at 2 years of age, we have been able to talk about things in our Christian walk thanks to the discussion started with one of these stories.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Gold'n' Honey Book.
Review: This is the type of Bible that not only is awesome for little children, but it is also great for the young and older teenager, Along with the Mature Adult(man & woman) who really never learned anything in CCD due to those silly controlling instructors, etc. If you want a fun, loving, inspirational and motivating Bible to learn about Jesus Christ, then this Bible is for You! The cartoon illustrations along with the selected Biblical stories are simplified so you may understand the big picture(that everything in life is about caring and love)." The Early Reader's Bible; A Bible to Read All By Yourself" is recommended to all parents, kids, teenagers, and adults. This is fun reading and emotionally touching. Get it!