In 2008, Jenni and I profited from reading two “documentary novels” by Paul Maier:
We recently received six of his books for children, and they’re outstanding.
1. The Real Story of Creation
2. The Real Story of the Flood
3. The Real Story of the Exodus
4. The Very First Christmas
Jenni warmly recalls reading this many times as a child.
5. The Very First Easter
6. The Very First Christians
The picture of Agrippa (p. 27) reminds me of someone I know!
Related: About a year ago, Jenni and I reviewed several hundred children’s books and highlighted our favorites: “Theology for Kids.”
Nick Hill says
Andy,
Do you know what age these books are suitable for?
Thanks,
Nick
Andy Naselli says
Good question. My wife, who earned a degree in early childhood education and then taught for four years, says that the books are “early to mid-elementary.”
dawn garrett says
Are there pictures of Jesus in these books?
Andy Naselli says
Yes. Unfortunately, the pictures of him in The Very First Easter are hippy-ish.
dawn garrett says
[sigh] And they looked so promising.
Andy Naselli says
Dawn, if you prefer not to use books with pictures of Jesus, I understand and respect that. But at least the first three books (and maybe the last one—I don’t recall) don’t have pictures of Jesus.
Jon Anderson says
I think Agrippa just might be Mark Dever!
Arline Erven says
For what it’s worth…as a first grade teacher, I’d like to say that it’s very hard for children to visualize a story without its main character’s picture present.
Jeremy Jackson says
Thanks for sharing this. I’m assuming these would be too difficult for 6 years old?
Jennifer Naselli says
Jeremy,
It really depends on your 6 year old. They’re definitely not too difficult if your 6 year old enjoys being read to and likes details. They’re early elementary reading level, but I’m sure a 6 year old would enjoy listening to the stories.
FWIW, we’re using them with our 19 mos. old daughter, and she really likes the pictures. :)
Jenni Naselli
dawn garrett says
That’s something anyway. Thanks! I’m trying to find good Resurrection Sunday children’s books w/out pictures of Jesus and they simply seem to not exist.
Denny Lee says
Could you recommend some books for kids around 4 or so? Thanks.
Andy Naselli says
Denny,
I’d start with the first three books that Jenni and I reviewed about a year ago in “Theology for Kids.”
The audiobook in the deluxe edition of the Jesus Storybook Bible is really well done.