Review: The Big Picture Story Bible

I know our blog has been going over some serious heavy stuff concerning Bible difficulties, alleged contradictions and Messianic prophecies the last few days.  Here’s a review of a Children’s book Bible.

David R. Helm. The Big Picture Story Bible.  Wheaton, IL: Crossway, September 17th 2004.  456 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

This is a children’s picture Bible published by Crossway.  The publisher stated that this book is for ages four and up but my three year old also enjoyed it too when I read it to all my kids.  It is a massive book, coming in at 456 pages but don’t worry as it is still a children’s book and my family went through this and found that the book has a good pace for our evening reading.  So the 456 pages is good if you are looking for something to go over with children ages three to six year old in terms of regular daily read.  I love how there are many pictures in the book.  Also while this book is big coming in with a dimension of 9 x 1.1 x 9 inches and weighing 3.6 pounds nevertheless I enjoyed it size so the kids can enjoy the book more especially if you are reading to multiple kids at once.

The book is divided into twenty six parts.  It goes from Genesis to Revelation beginning with God’s creation and ending with the eternal state.  Part one through eleven is on the Old Testament.  Part twelve through twenty six is on the New Testament.  When my wife went through the book with our girls she felt that there was a lot of details left out in terms of the biblical story.  I agree with her to some extent but it does give a basic storyline and I would encourage parents reading this to talk to their children after one’s reading.  Parents should never treat any children’s book as microwave dinner; one should also constantly learn and know the Word of God themselves!

I enjoyed that the illustrations were kid friendly.  I use to take it for granted that children’s book would have artwork that are not so abstract or weird but it seems that assumption is not the case with some of the artwork of children’s Bible that we have read.  There are at times though pictures of characters with bad expression such as anger, malice, sadness, etc in this work.  They really stood out and my kids asked me about them.  But I took that as a good thing in that we get to talk deeper about what is going on and also how we should respond.

My favorite part of the book was towards the end in part 23-26.  Part 23 makes the point to the readers that the Old Testament was anticipating Jesus.  I love the fact that there is a redemptive historical biblical theology bent to a children’s book!  But I wished the author explained it more thought the illustrations showed pictures of various types that pointed to Jesus.  Some of it though might go over even the parent’s head of how it points to Christ so again I wished the author explained it more!  Part 26 is the conclusion and readers will hear about heaven and the eternal state.  I got to really talk to my kids soberly and seriously about the Gospel here.  For that I am very grateful.

I recommend this work.