Bible Stories

Catholic Children's Treasure Box, Volumes 7 and 8

Book cover: 'Catholic Children's Treasure Box 7'
Author(s): 
Maryknoll Sisters
Number of pages: 
32 pages
ISBN / ID: 
multiple
Publisher: 
TAN Books
Binding: 
Stapled Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

These two volumes of the Treasure Box Books contain a very simple story of Mary's life, appropriate for very young children. The full-color illustrations are quite charming. Please note that this story has the marriage of Mary and Joseph come before the Annunciation, which is not in accordance with the actual Bible account. Perhaps the authors felt that very young children weren't ready to understand this part of the story.

Update from webmaster, March 2024: Bible scholars tell us that what is often translated as "betrothal" was really the first part of a two-part Jewish wedding rather than an engagement; in the time of Christ, these two parts were celebrated on separate dates separated by as much as a year. However, the couple was legally married after this first ceremony although they would not live together until after the second. This is why Matthew 1:18-19 reports that when St. Joseph discovers that Mary (his "betrothed") is with child, "her husband Joseph" resolves to divorce her (or send her away) quietly — husband and divorce, because they are legally married. See this article for more details and some profound implications for familiar Gospel passages: No, Mary Was Not an "Unwed Mother." Thus, the Treasure Box account is (perhaps unintentionally!) rather accurate on this point.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

Each short "book"/"volume" is 32 pages. Volume 7's ISBN is 9780895555571 and Volume 8's ISBN is 9780895555588.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

God's Will Be Done/The Wall

Book cover: 'God's Will Be Done/The Wall'
Author(s): 
Kim Hohman
Bruce Carroll
Copyright: 
1997
Publisher: 
Regina Martyrum Productions
Subject(s): 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
God's Will Be Done is the story of Jonah and the Whale and The Wall is the story of the Fall of Jericho. Both Bible stories are presented as audio dramas, performed with full casts, music and sound effects. The shorter length and simpler dialogue of these in particular make them especially appealing to younger children.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

18 min/20 min, audio cassette

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Golden Children's Bible

Book cover: Golden Children's Bible
Author(s): 
Golden Books
Illustrator(s): 
Jose Miralles
Number of pages: 
510 pages
Copyright: 
1965
ISBN / ID: 
9780307165206
Publisher: 
Golden Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

I've come to understand why Laura Berquist recommends this bible for Kindergarten age children. It is quite faithful to the original stories and attempts nothing beyond telling the story. The colorful pictures are very intriguing to children and it provides a good means for familiarizing children with the Bible's basic stories. The full color pictures throughout are very nicely done and make it easier for young children to find particular stories on their own. Unfortunately, there are several important stories which are missing, including: Abraham sacrificing Isaac and the story of Tobias.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Jonah and His Amazing Voyage (Bible Adventure Club)

Book cover: Jonah and His Amazing Voyage, Bible Adventure Club
Author(s): 
Janis Hansen
Illustrator(s): 
Wendy Francisco
Number of pages: 
36 pages
Copyright: 
2005
ISBN / ID: 
9781581343267
Publisher: 
Ascension Press
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Set sail on a stormy sea with Jonah and His Amazing Voyage as your young children learn about Bible stories in this light-hearted set from the Bible Adventure Club series.

Each kit includes a hard cover full-color picture story book, activity book, read-along audio cassette, interactive CD-Rom, and parents guide. The picture book is a simple retelling of the story of Jonah to appeal to younger children with bold, colorful, and cartoon-like illustrations. The audio cassette is a dramatized version of the story with original music to listen to while reading along with the book. The activity book includes fun facts, projects, mazes, and more. The interactive CD-Rom includes an animated story, original song, coloring book, word search, matching, puzzles, quiz game and light up puzzle (a scrambled puzzle that lights up when the squares are in order.). Some activities offer different levels of play.

Because of the light-hearted approach and the types of activities, this kit is designed for younger children. My five-year-old and eight-year-old daughters have enjoyed listening to the story many times as well as playing the many creative learning activities on the CD-Rom. Since there are a variety of activities on the CD-Rom and in the activity book, a wide range of younger children can enjoy this kit. Jonah and His Amazing Voyage is just one from a series of Bible Adventure Club kits. Other kits include Other kits include Creation:God's Wonderful Gift, Jesus:the Birthday of the King, Noah and the Incredible Flood, and David and his Giant Battle.

Additional notes: 

Includes Hardcover story book, activity book, CD-Rom and Cassette

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
10-29-05

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Book cover: Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Author(s): 
Tomie dePaola
Illustrator(s): 
Tomie dePaola
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1995
ISBN / ID: 
9780823410187
Publisher: 
Holiday House
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This is a very nice and very Catholic book about Mary for small children. But don't let its simplicity fool you - there is a great deal for older ones as well. There is a two page "chapter" on each of the following topics: The Presentation of the Child Mary at the Temple, The Betrothal of Joseph and Mary, The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Birth of Jesus, The Presentation of the Boy Jesus in the Temple, The Adoration of the Magi, The Flight into Egypt, The Boy Jesus in the Temple, The Marriage at Cana, The Ministry (of Jesus), Mary's Solitude (the Crucifixion), The Coming of the Holy Spirit, Mary is Taken to Heaven, and a final picture of The Queen of Heaven. Each "chapter" has one or two illustrations - in the Tomie de Paola style of course - a short verse from the Liturgy of the Hours and a simple retelling of the story.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

New Catholic Picture Bible

Book cover: 'New Catholic Picture Bible'
Author(s): 
Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, S.V.D.
Number of pages: 
232 pages
Copyright: 
1988
ISBN / ID: 
9780899424354
Publisher: 
Catholic Book Publishing Company
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

Father Lovasik includes many more stories in this work than Tomie de Paola's work. The pictures are more traditional (although not fine art), yet the stories are still short enough to make this a good choice for preschoolers as well. He explains parts of the Bible in light of our Catholic tradition within the story. For example, in the story "Jesus Appears to the Apostles" Fr. Lovasik explains what Jesus said to the apostles with the following quote:
"In these words Jesus gave the apostles the power to forgive sins, which He had promised them. This power Jesus wished to remain in His Church forever. The apostles passed it on to their successors–the bishops of the Catholic Church. This power is exercised by the priest in the Sacrament of Penance."
Some may appreciate his "additions" to the stories, others may find it a little confusing. The book also contains the Stations of the Cross and photos from the Holy Land.

Available from many sources.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

Strengthened by God/The Great Deluge

Book cover: 'Strengthened by God/The Great Deluge'
Author(s): 
Bruce Carroll
Kim Hohman
Publisher: 
Regina Martyrum Productions
Subject(s): 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
Strengthened by God is the story of David and Goliath and The Great Deluge is the story of Noah's Ark. Like the other RMP tapes, these are "audio dramas" - dramatic presentations of the stories with full casts, sound effects and music. They really make the Bible stories come alive. The Great Deluge is probably a bit too graphic for small children (the narrator makes mention of people seeing dead bodies in the rivers and the sound effects includes crying and wailing noises). They comment a bit upon the story by explaining that evidence of God's mercy can be seen by the fact that he gave those who perished in the flood enough time to feel sorry for their sins.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Children's Book of Faith

Book cover: The Children's Book of Faith
Author(s): 
William Bennett
Illustrator(s): 
Michael Hague
Number of pages: 
102 pages
Copyright: 
2000
ISBN / ID: 
9780385327718
Publisher: 
Doubleday
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Grade / Age level: 
Resource Type: 
Review: 

This newest edition presents some colorfully illustrated tales of a more religious nature. Passages from the Bible include "the Story of Daniel and the Lion's Den", "the Healing of a Paralytic", "the Call of Samuel", "the Little Lost Lamb", the 23rd Psalm, and "Miriam and the Floating Basket." Other stories involve St. Christopher. St. Martin of Tours and St. Augustine's famous "Walk by the Sea" where a little boy (believed to be Jesus or an Angel) had a conversation with him about the mysteries of God. Classic tales by Leo Tolstoy and Oscar Wilde, beautiful poems and hymns, and the stories of Amazing Grace and of the historical event which was the origin of the celebration of Hannukah are also included. There are thirty-three stories in all.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-21-01

The Medicine of God

Book cover: 'The Medicine of God'
Author(s): 
Bruce Carroll
Copyright: 
1996
Publisher: 
Regina Martyrum Productions
Subject(s): 
Resource Type: 
Review: 
The Medicine of God is an audio drama (on one cassette) in the style of old-time radio shows - with full cast, music and sound effects. This is the biblical story of Tobit, an upright man who trusted in God and the adventures of his son, Tobias, who was led by a stranger - who turned out to be St. Raphael the Archangel - to a new city and a new life. There is a theme of Divine Providence and the need to trust in God that runs throughout the story. This story is a particularly important one to Catholics as it is one of only a few books that are included in Catholic bibles, but not Protestant ones. Your whole family will be edified and entertained by this production. This particular story is a favorite with my children.
Perspective: 
Catholic
Additional notes: 

45 minutes, audio cassette

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Miracles of Jesus

Book cover: The Miracles of Jesus (dePaola)
Author(s): 
Tomie dePaola
Illustrator(s): 
Tomie dePaola
Number of pages: 
32 pages
Copyright: 
1987
ISBN / ID: 
9780823406357
Publisher: 
Puffin Books
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This book is a beautiful way to help your children learn to know and love Jesus. With many simple pictures (but nicely done) and just enough details of the story, Tomie de Paola relates how Jesus helped others while he was on earth. Stories include: The Wedding at Cana, The Catch of Fishes, The Calming of the Storm, The Loaves and The Fishes, Jesus Walks on the Water, The Paralyzed Man, The Centurion's Servant, Jesus Heals the Lepers and The Raising of Lazarus. (13 stories altogether) My children love to hear about how good Jesus is and how much he loves them. This book is a really nice way of reinforcing that idea.

Additional notes: 

Available in both hard and softcover editions

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

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