Candle Bible for Kids, Toddler Edition

With such a wide age range of children (a few months old up to nine-years), I'm always reading a variety of different story book Bibles to try to cover everyone's needs developmentally. Our current Bible time in the morning currently includes a story Bible for my 2-year-old, a story Bible for my 4-year-old, and a Bible study that includes catechism and readings from the Bible (using the NIrV). My 9-year-old is studying independently this year.

That might seem like overkill, but suffice it to say, my children are very familiar with the major stories of the Bible. They're able to start small and build up, adding details as they grow and mature. Lately we've been reading the Candle BIBLE for Kids: Toddler Edition for my 2-year-old (though of course, it seems that ALL of my smaller children listen in no matter which story Bible we're reading).

This cute, cheerful story Bible has a padded cover and fairly sturdy, small pages. While it isn't a board book, the smaller format pages are easier for little hands to turn without the risk of ripping. So far, so good - my 2-year-old looks at this book on her own, turns pages, packs it around, and it's hanging in there. No rips so far.

The book is 160 pages in length and includes 14 Old Testament stories and 22 New Testament stories. Most of the stories are around 4 pages long. Some in the New Testament section are as short as 1 page or 2 pages. Some in the Old Testament section are as long as 7 pages, but most seem to be 4 pages in length. Each page has only two to three short, easily understood sentences on it. The Bible stories themselves are fairly bare bones, but they cover all of the major points and bases. Juliet David's renditions are concise and readable.

Jo Parry's illustrations are modern, bold and cheerful. They are high interest, and my little girls like to look through this title on their own just for the sake of the illustrations. They do portray Adam and Eve as children - something I'm never too keen on.

Overall, this is a good solid starter story Bible for toddlers. It is holding up to our active toddler despite its many trips under the couch and around the house between Bible times and the stories are basic and readable - a good starting point for familiarizing wee ones with the major plot points in the His-story of God's people.

About the book: The successful Candle Bible for Kids with the distinctive art style of Jo Parry, is now available in a version specially written for younger readers. The Candle Bible for Kids, Toddler Edition features simplified text by Juliet David, as well as a smaller size and fewer stories, which makes it an ideal introduction for younger readers. Sure to be a family favorite.

My thoughts: My preference for illustrations is along a different design or format of art, but the very young child - the toddler - will relate very definitely and positively to these colorful, simple drawings that definitively express what the story is saying at that point. Look at the hills and valleys, the trees and flowers in the page shown below. Their eyes will interpret it just as their mind already had. And as they are capable of grasping a crayon and drawing, their art will capture lines similar to these.

I love for the young child to be able to hold his or her own story book in their hands because they begin to consider the pictures and the words they have heard previously and that is how they begin to incorporate it into their heart. Story telling is seeding time for parents and what better seed to plant that the love of the Word of God and how He explains Himself to people through His Word - the Bible. Of course, we all recognize that the very young need very simple versions and ideas at the start or they will be overwhelmed. That is where these "bibles" or Bible Storybooks come into usefulness for the child and the parent.

The Toddler Edition of Candle Bible for Kids is worth exploring and using with the young child in your life - parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle. Opportunity is knocking for you to plow the field and plant the seed in the young heart of a child.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Candle Bible for Kids: Toddler Edition was provided by Kregel Publications to me for the purpose of an honest opinion review without expectation of positive remarks. Opinions expressed are solely my own.

This book is a toddler edition, and loved the thick colorful cover on it, made to catch the eyes of the little one. The pages are not cardboard, but sturdy. You will be able to spend a wonderful time reading this to your little one. We start at the beginning, and each page has a colorful eye catching illustration.

There are 160 beautiful pages for you to enlighten your little one with. What a wonderful way to end the day, and prepare for bedtime. Our little ones are a bit older, 5 and 7, so I am going to pass this great gift on to a friend with a 2 year old_perfect!!

I received this book through the Publisher Lion Hudson, and was not required to give a positive review.

What an adorable Bible for toddlers. Each scripture story is told in bite size bits for your little ones. The illustrations are adorable and very colorful for your little one to enjoy.

What I like the most about this Bible story book is that it has 36 Bible Stories.

So many toddler Bibles don't have this many stories. What a wonderful edition to add to your snuggling time with little one.

This would make a wonderful gift to introduce God's word to a child. This is a delightful Bible for any child.

Disclaimer: I provided an advanced reader copy of this book from Kregel Publication for free in order to write this review. All thoughts and opinions are mine and were not subject to editing from the publisher.

For the most part I like this toddler's Bible story book. The simple text is just right for young children and the stories are not too long. Complementing the stories are lots of colourful pictures. I also like the size of the book, because it's perfect for little hands. I'm sure any child would be delighted to call this book their own. There are a few things I wondered about though: Some of the pictures the adults are portrayed as children - one example is Adam and Eve. Not sure why that is necessary. A few of the stories are not finished and end in a strange way. In the story about God talking with the little boy, Samuel, we never find out what He told him. I know for young children we don't need all the details, but I don't agree with leaving out key points of the story. I would still recommend this book for families with young children, since one can always add the parts that are not there.

Disclosure:

In exchange for an honest review, Kregel Publications provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.