I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Published by Barbour Publishing, Incorporated on 2017-11
Source: Barbour Publishing
Genres: Bible Stories, General, Juvenile Nonfiction, Religion
Pages: 384
Story Time--The Most Important 10 Minutes in a Child's Day! Your children or grandchildren will delight in this fully-illustrated storybook that brings 365 read-aloud classic Bible stories to life for impressionable young hearts.
Beginning with the creation story, "God Creates the Earth," and ending with "In Eternity with God," your children will develop faith in an almighty God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, while journeying alongside Bible characters like Samuel, Jonah, Esther, David, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, and many more.
365 Classic Bedtime Bible Stories promises to make bedtime reading a delightful learning and faith-building experience for your kids 3 and up.
I’m going to disagree with this book title. 365 Classic Bedtime Stories makes me think of a book written with a story-like feel. This book should have been titled the 365 Children’s Bible. This is more of a Bible than a storybook.
Additionally, some of the passages make me wonder if a young child will be frightened by them—especially before bed. To quote one such example: “The battle had made him so tired that Sisera fell asleep. Then Jael drove a tent-peg into Sisera’s head and killed him.” Another story concludes with, “He took the bedspread and dipped it in water. Then Hazael pressed it on Ben-Hadad’s face and smothered him.” Hrmm, that’s lovely imagery to go to sleep by!
Now, I definitely don’t think that the Bible is something that one should censor. But one can argue that some parts are the meat when a baby is still in need of milk. There should have been less meat, more milk in this book.
Perhaps my youngest, at four, is too sheltered. She has only recently begun to understand death (when her hermit crab died) and that was traumatic enough. Murder is something that I can’t begin to imagine lulling her to sleep with.
For an older child of 9-10, this book would make a lovely companion Bible to introduce a child to Bible stories they may not have yet read.
I give this book a solid four for giving the Bible Scriptures for each passage. Additionally, there is an amazing index guide in the back of the book.
I would suggest this to older children—despite the illustrations which make it seem toddler-friendly. And I definitely would skip the stories about dogs eating Jezebel, kings being smothered or tent pegs being driven into the head before bedtime. Unless you want to stay up all night when your child has nightmares. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya!
Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t want to tell toddlers about Sisera and Jael, and Jezebel and the dogs. I remember when I first heard those stories as a kid, and I was pretty horrified! I didn’t have nightmares, but I can imagine that would be pretty traumatic for a young child.
Great Review!
Right? I was just puzzled by how these were considered a bedtime choice. Definitely not the coziest tales.