Tomie de Paola's Book of Bible Stories

New International Version
Book cover: Tomie de Paola's Book of Bible Stories
Author(s): 
Tomie dePaola
Illustrator(s): 
Tomie De Paola
Number of pages: 
127 pages
Copyright: 
1990
ISBN: 
9780399216909
Publisher: 
G.P. Putnam Zondervan
Binding: 
Sewn Hardcover
Subject(s): 
Review: 

Tomie de Paola is a unique illustrator with artwork in a woodcut or icon-like style (I can't decide which.) I thought his artwork was more suited to The Lady of Guadalupe but I like the content of his Bible stories and appreciate the "Index of Bible Text" in the back. This would be a suitable book for acquainting preschoolers with the major stories of the Bible.

I have found that some stories are a little hard to understand because too many details have been left out in making them simpler for young children. I was bothered by the fact that the Crucifixion scene is so simplified that both thieves mock Jesus - missing entirely one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible, of the good thief. Also, quite simply, I have a big pet peeve about stories and movies that turn a real-life good guy into a bad guy for the sake of the story or artistic license.

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