Recently, I was approached by Thomas Nelson Publishers to review their Read And Share Bible.
Though we don't have little kids of our own running around The Palace, we do have little kid visitors here pretty often. I tested the Bible out on a just-turned-5-year-old boy.
I'll be honest, I have no expectation of anything holding the attention of a 5 year old boy. However, he sat with the book and looked at it while he was here and repeatedly asked me to read another story to him.
I was very impressed at the depth of the stories. They are short--generally no more than a paragraph or two--but each gets the message of the story delivered.
I sent the Bible home with them so that his mom could really use it and give me some feedback. After using it for a few weeks, she felt that it was very understandable for younger kids and that her son was able to comprehend and recall what was read to him.
Case in point: She read the story of Genesis 24:15-20 to him, where Rebekah gave water to Abraham's servant's camels. The question at the end of the story is, "Do you think the man noticed how kind the woman was?". The little guy sat for a minute and then looked up at his mom and said, "Impressive".
I'd say he got it. :)
I think the Read And Share Bible would be great for kids under 8. The pictures are great and the stories are meaty enough to keep their interest.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me to review this Bible.
(I was going to give it away, but I'm not about to ask a 5 year old for it back.)
