My Read and Rhyme Bible Storybook

Studies show young children remember rhymes better than non-rhyming text, which is why so many children's book authors attempt to tell their story in rhyme. Writing rhyme is more difficult than it might appear, however, and there's really only one comprehensive rhyming Bible available, The Rhyme Bible Storybook. That is, until now.

Released this month, there's a new rhyming Bible well worth getting excited about: My Read and Rhyme Bible Storybook by Crystal Bowman and Cindy Kenney.

Bowman is a rhyming picture book master and Kenney's work is strong enough she served as a Veggie Tales writer. There are no forced rhymes here, and the text flows smoothly while offering accurate, easy to understand stories from the Bible.

Bowman and Kenney's text sometimes goes between the lines of the actual Bible, too; for example, when Jesus washes Peter's feet:

"Then Jesus said to Peter,
'It's what I need to do.
Let me wash your dirty feet
so I can be with you.'
But Jesus wasn't talking
about the dirt outside.
He wants to wash away the sins
that we all try to hide."

In addition, each story begins with a short list of words children can learn. Each is followed by a pronunciation guide, which is especially helpful for names. For the story of creation, for example, the word list includes: buzzing, twinkle, special, holy, and blessed.

After each story, there is a short list of early reader words, plus a list of rhyming words. This is followed by questions for discussion. (Example: "How many days did it take God to make the world? Why do you think God rested on the seventh day? Can you think of times when it is good for you to rest?")

Finally, there are activity suggestions. Not all will work for every age group, but there are some nice ideas here. For example, after the story of Adam and Eve, the authors ask if the readers always obey the rules. They offer phrases like "I pick up my toys when my parents ask me to" and allow kids to answer "yes," "no," and "sometimes." There are also art projects, scrambled words, ideas for making "kindness coupons," and brainstorming sessions for what we can thank God for.

While the authors are careful not to get too graphic about adult topics, they don't shirk from some of the important but difficult stories in the Bible. For example, when Abraham sacrifices his son, God merely asks for Abraham to "give Isaac back," and when Cain kills Abel, the authors write: "He was so angry/he did something bad./He hurt his brother,/and his brother died."

In addition, My Read and Rhyme Bible Storybook goes into greater detail about Jesus' death and resurrection than most children's storybook Bibles.

The back of the book also contains a list of Bible names (for example: "David - a shepherd boy who killed the giant Goliath. p. 141"), Bible places, Bible words (like "birthright" and "leprosy"), and a scripture index for well known stories.

What I Like: Judging by the text alone, I like My Read and Rhyme Bible Storybook better than other rhyming alternatives, but there are still other factors making it a strong choice. The illustrations by Christiane Engel are delightful; they are typically rich in detail and texture, and make for interesting viewing for young children. The addition of reading or vocabulary words is also useful, as are the questions and activities at the end of each story.

I also appreciate that often-glossed over sections of the Bible (like the beatitudes and "love is patient, love is kind...") are included.

Best of all, my four year old was glued to this book. We read all 367 pages in three days because she kept saying, "Please read more!"
What I Dislike: I wish the authors had included a chapter on the book of Revelation, stressing that Jesus is coming back someday.
Overall Rating: Excellent. I'm excited to share this book with other children.
Age Appeal: According to the publisher 4 to 8, but some slightly younger children will like this, too.
Publishing Info: Tyndale, 2009; ISBN: 978-1414320168; hardback, $17.99.
Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $14.99.
Or Buy at Amazon.com for $12.23.
Special Info: Download and read the first chapter of My Read and Rhyme Bible Storybook at the publisher's website. View the illustrator Chistiane Engel's portfolio (including samples from the book).


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Junior Battles to Be His Best

For children who are too afraid to try, Junior Battles to Be His Best is a Veggie Tales book that could help. Written by Karen Poth as a Level 1 "I Can Read!" book, the story begins when Junior learns his town is hosting a "battle of the bands." Although his mother and his friends are excited by the idea of Junior entering, Junior isn't. "I don't want to play my tuba," he says. "Everyone will laugh at me." He tries to practice, but concludes, "It's too hard...I'm not going to do it."

Junior sees many other local bands practicing, including Ma Mushroom's band. She asks if Junior is going to compete. When he says no, she replies, "Good...then we'll win for sure! It sounds like you already beat yourself!" When Junior asks what she means, she says, "Well, if you don't try, then you've already lost."

Spurred by the thought that he should at least try, Junior goes home to practice. But still, he doesn't feel good enough to compete. At his mother's prompting, Junior prays that God will give him courage to play in front of others...some day.

The day of the competition arrives, and two bands tie: Ma Mushroom's and Junior's squash friends. The two bands will play one more song to break the tie. Junior's friends beg him to play with them. He does - and "it was just what the...band needed." They win! "Thank you for your help, God," Junior prays.

What I Like: Performing in front of others - or even just trying something new - can paralyze some kids, but this story shows how, with God's help, kids can overcome their fears.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: About 4 to 8.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2011; ISBN: 978-0310727323; paperback, 32 pgs., $3.59

Buy Now at Amazon for $3.59
OR buy the Kindle edition for just $1.99 

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $3.49

Special Info: See our reviews of other Veggie Tale's "I Can Read Books," as well our reviews of other Veggie Tale's books in general.

Boby and Larry's Creation Vacation

If your kids like Veggie Tales, they are sure to enjoy learning about each day of creation in Bob and Larry's Creation Vacation. In this "I Can Read" level 1 book written by Karen Poth, Larry is planning a special vacation. "We're going to see all of God's creation!" he says. "We don't have enough time," says Bob. But Larry says all they need is 7 days.

"On the first day, God made the light," Larry says. So on this, their first vacation day, Bob and Larry bask in the sun at the beach, enjoying the light. "It was a good day!" Later, Larry says "God made the night" and he turns out the lights. Because Larry snores, "It was a better night for Larry than for Bob." "On the second day," Larry says, "God made the sky!" So the two friends fly on gliders.

And so on goes the vacation, each day citing a day of creation, as presented in the first two chapters of Genesis. At the end of the book, Bob and Larry are worn out from their vacation. It is the seventh day "so just like God, they decided to rest." The last page reads:

"And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."

What I Like: I like this fun approach to teaching kids about the days of creation. Few books on this topic hold my kids' attention, but this one does. It's a great way to introduce the topic - and follow it up with a reading about creation direct from the Bible.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 to 8, but kids as young as 2 will enjoy having this book read to them, too.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2011; ISBN: 978-0310727316; paperback, 32 pgs., $3.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $3.99

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $3.49

Special Info: Read our other reviews of Veggie Tale books.