The Lion Classic Bible

Gr 2—5—In 12 chronological chapters, Skevington retells classic stories from the Old and New Testaments. Beginning with Genesis and creation, she proceeds through the books of the Bible, concluding with Christ's death and resurrection, the early days of Christianity, and finally John's visions of heaven described in Revelation. To enliven the narrative, she attributes thoughts and emotions to her characters and employs dialogue. All of the key figures appear—from Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Moses to the prophets and kings, Mary and Joseph, and, finally, Jesus and his disciples. Each story reflects the overarching themes of family, home, and finding a place to belong. Generations of Israelites face enemies, travel endless miles, and overcome hardships in their efforts to remain true to their God. Jesus and his followers spread God's light and hope, teaching the masses about His kingdom through the lessons contained in the parables. The ornamental illustrations painted in jewel tones are imbued with the mystery and atmosphere of biblical times. Although this Bible provides a fine overview of the events in the Old and New Testaments, it lacks the elegance and grace of Saviour Pirotta's Children's Stories from the Bible (Candlewick, 2009) and does not contain the supplemental reference materials found in Trevor Barnes's The Kingfisher Children's Illustrated Bible (Kingfisher, 2011). An additional purchase.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA