There are a lot of reasons to learn the Bible – but the most important is to know, to obey, and to love God. There are many ways to teach the Bible to older children, but young children learn best the way they learn their native tongue – immersion into the Bible in the community of the family.
For centuries this foundation was laid with the oral reading aloud of the Bible in the family. I think this is still very effective. And I think that many families retold the Bible stories in their own words for their youngest children. Many now adult children have told me about memories of their parents (re)telling the Bible stories as they were lying in bed.
For the last 100 years or so we have had an additional resource: Bible picture books.
A well-written, well-illustrated picture book can make the Bible story come alive in our children’s cognitive and emotional understanding. It can illustrate the culture of the time as well as the story arch, deeper meaning, and application.
While there are a number of good picture Bibles, I would like to introduce you to some books that just cover one event in the Scriptures. Consider getting some of these gems, some of which are available in public libraries. (If they are not available, ask for them!)
Whenever anyone suggests books to you, consider their criteria (and track record) before you read the books to your kids, or even more so, before you just hand over the books.
OUR Criteria for choosing Bible picture books:
- It should tell the biblical story accurately. **
- While parts can be excluded, be careful not to lose important aspects of the story.
- While using the Scriptures as text can be wonderful, I think some artistic license might be okay. Adding characters who could have been there can add an interesting perspective.
- There will be artistic license in the illustration – we do not know these details for sure.
- Approaching the story as real history is ideal.
- Both text and illustrations should add to the understanding of the time, location, and meaning of the story. This helps reinforce the truth that this is history and not fiction.
- The book should be enjoyable for the adult/older child to read aloud.
** Are there exceptions? Of course, there are! For instance, there are some excellent Easter and Christmas Nativity, Gift Givers, and Around the World books that embellish the story, and at least one that has an anthromorphized animal in it. In the list below we indicate if the books include legends.
** This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details. **
Old Testament Bible Picture Books
(++ means highly recommended)
GENESIS
++ The Creation, by Jo Spier. Ages 4 and up. This out of print (OOP) gem uses the text from the Jerusalem Bible with lovely detailed illustrations that communicate understanding, warmth, and application to our day. Worth looking for!
Creation, by Gennady Spirin. Ages 5 and up. This book uses the text from the NIV combined with Spirin’s elegant watercolor illustrations that exude a mixture of styles from the Renaissance and Orthodox church.
Creation by Rylant. Ages 2-8. Sweet simple story of the seven days of Creation using a minimal amount of the KJV text with minimalist and yet delightful illustrations, makes this a good choice for the younger children.
Creation by Gerald McDermott. Ages 5 and up. This mystical telling of the creation story (from God’s perspective) with sweeping brightly colored illustrations emphasizes the I AM.
++ Noah’s Ark, by Peter Spier. Ages 3 and up. Caldecott winner’s imaginative retelling is both majestic and tender. The almost non-existent text and illustrations are generally true to the biblical story. The detailed illustrations enable the younger children to retell the story, while giving the older children much to explore and consider.
Noah’s Ark, Jerry Pinkney. Excellent, clear, biblically accurate text with wonderful illustrations.
The Story of Noah and the Ark. Ages 6 and up. Text from the KJV and sumptuous illustrations by Gennady Spirin makes this book a delight for all ages. Perhaps a bit darker and more dramatic than other renditions.
Noah’s Ark, retold by Mary Auld. Ages 5-10. This series of books approach the Biblical stories as history and as from God. The text and the simple and bright illustrations are easily accessible to younger children, while not insulting to older ones. Can be a read aloud or reader for early elementary ages. Map and discussion questions in the end notes. While the endnotes postulate that the flood might have been localized, it also the contrasts the Biblical flood history to the Babylonian flood myth, commenting that the Bible shows belief in one God, His power, His punishment of the evildoers, and His protection of the good.
— On Noah’s Ark, by Jan Brett. Ages 3-8. Brett’s typically beautiful illustrations of the cacophony of animals fill this story of Noah as told through the eyes of his granddaughter. Not true to the biblical story as there is no mention of God, judgement, redemption, or the promise that comes with the rainbow. Most books that I did not like, I simply did not list. But thought I would share this to show my reasons not to recommend a well-illustrated and popular book.
The Ark, by Arthur Geisert. Ages 5 and up. Incredible detailed illustrations and sparse text in this somber rendition of the flood story shows the work and exhaustion that must have happened on the ark and shows the animals as neither cute nor cleaver, but just patiently waiting to be released. This rethinking of a familiar tale can be beneficial for all ages.
After the Flood, by Arthur Geisert. Ages 5 and up. Interesting story of what happened after the flood with Geisert’s wonderful wood cut illustrations. While much is conjecture (making the ark into a home, the animals helping Noah and his family after disembarking) the overall thrust of family harmony and beginning again is comforting to small and big people.
The Tower of Babel, by William Wiesner. Ages 5 and up. OOP book worth seeking for its retelling of the story of the arrogance and downfall of King Nimrod and for its engaging panoramic illustrations.
++ Joseph, by Brian Wildsmith. Eerdmans, 1997. Ages 5 and up. Vivid, richly detail illustrations enrich the tale of betrayal and forgiveness set in ancient Canaan and ancient Egypt.
Joseph and His Brothers, retold by Mary Auld. Ages 5-10. This series of books approach the Biblical stories as history and as from God. The text and the illustrations are easily accessible to younger children, while not insulting to older ones. Map and discussion questions in the end notes. The theme of God’s sovereignty and protection is clearly presented.
EXODUS
++ Exodus, by Brian Wildsmith. Ages 5 and up. Vivid, richly detail illustrations enhance this powerful tale that covers all the major events from the Jewish slaves and the palaces of ancient Egypt, to the expanses of the Sinai wilderness, to the promised land.
Moses in the Bulrushes, retold by Mary Auld. Ages 5 -10. The story of Moses from his birth to the burning bush, with foreshadowing of the Exodus. This series of books approach the Biblical stories as history and as from God. The text and the illustrations are easily accessible to younger children, while not insulting to older ones.
Miriam’s Cup: A Passover Story, by Fran Manushkin. Ages 6 -10. While this book includes some extra-biblical story/ legends (pulled from Midrashim and Aggadot), the story of the Exodus from Miriam’s perspective captures the essence of the story while building the faith of the readers/listeners. If you read this book with your children you might want to discuss what is in the Bible and what is Jewish legend.
THE PROPHETS
++ The Book of Jonah, by Peter Spier. Ages 5 and up. Spier’s meticulous illustrations transport you to ancient times in Jerusalem, on a boat in the Mediterranean Sea, and to the great city of Nineveh in the Assyrian Empire. This tells the whole story including the ending with Jonah under the vine that wilted. End notes and a map will fascinate older readers.
++ The Story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den, retold by Michael McCarthy. Ages 4-10. A retelling in verse with illustrations that show the clothing and architecture of Babylon.
++ Queen Esther, by Tomie DePaola. Ages 5 and up. Lovely, faithful, and simple retelling of the lady who was born for such a time as this – to save her people. DePaola’s enchanting illustrations picture Esther as an attractive, but normal girl, rather than a highly sexualized woman. This story skips the back story of Queen Vashti.
The Story of Queen Esther, by Jenny Koralek. Ages 5-8. This retelling and of the story has a bit of non biblical enhancements and leaves out some aspects such as the most famous statement, “For such a time as this.” Lovely illustrations of Persia make it a good book for younger children
The Festival of Esther: The Story of Purim, Maida Silverman. Ages 5 and up. More complete story of Esther (including Vashti). This book includes information on Purim including a song and a recipe for hamantashen cookies.
Enjoy one or more of these wonderful picture books with your children. You will be blessed as well. And next we will post a blog detailing how to read one of these picture books to your child to encourage discussion, enjoyment, understanding, free play, and retention.