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The Rhyme Bible Storybook
The Rhyme Bible Storybook brings classic Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments to life, retold in rhyme so that children are enthusiastic to read along, excited to read aloud, and, most importantly, eager to remember their favorite Scripture verses. Storybook Bibles are wonderful ways for young children to begin their journey into knowing and loving God’s Word. The Rhyme Bible Storybook : The Rhyme Storybook Bible provides a unique and appealing way for children to hear God’s truths, with its rhyming text and vibrant illustrations.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
12 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Sattgast
26 books7 followersLinda Sattgast considers writing her joy. She is the author of more than 20 children’s picture books, including the Gold Medallion award-winning The Rhyme Bible. She is a homemaker and homeschooler who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 1, 2025
The best old school storybook bible. So glad I was randomly gifted this in a tote of books. My kids love this version and finish the rhymes themselves. It’s been a staple in our home!
March 9, 2019
I love this children's bible. The stories were put in such simple rhymes that my four year old was able to understand and ask really important questions.
February 20, 2025
Judith and I just sat here and read the whole book through. I remember reading these stories at church when I was little and it was so fun to read them to my own daughter.
December 16, 2012
When I first got my hands on the 1996 or 2000 edition of this Bible storybook illustrated by Toni Goffe I was in love. (My physical book says 1996, while the ISBN online shows 2000). When I heard it was being republished with new illustrations I was ecstatic and could not wait to see it! I am not disappointed, as a matter of fact I’m thrilled and even more in love.
For me it all started when I ended up with the toddler version by accident, also illustrated by Toni Goffe. I ended up with the toddler version by a blesseded accident as I meant to get the full version for participation in the Animal Play Curriculum for our two-year old homeschool year. I could not be more pleased in the end. The rhymes are a perfect length for my [at the time] toddler to repeat after me and really get some of the stories and learning new words. [At that time we would] start the morning with a section from the Rhyme Storybook Bible and the in the afternoon (when there is a toddler version of said verses) we read along together in a repeat-after-me fashion in the toddler version. I love this special time with her!
After realizing that I really needed the full version to go along with the curriculum I ordered myself a copy. After reading and reviewing the toddler version I knew that this would be worth every penny and I was not wrong. This [2000 edition] is bigger and thicker. There are about eight to ten lines per page as opposed to four three word phrases. It’s like taking the next step up and it’s fabulous. This will be great for years to come. [When I wrote this review in October of 2011, she would listen] to this one and doesn’t repeat the rhymes, but I think one day she’ll be ready for longer ones and this one will be perfect.
And now for this newer, 2012 edition… :) Right not Zondervan is on a roll with their Zonderkidz storybook Bibles all being the same size. I love it and my girls love it. While we enjoy The Rhyme Bible Storybook the copy I bought was big as I said, too big and bulky for my now preschooler to tote around and for her to snuggle with. However it was great for lap reading. Yet that is not the case with the perfectly sized 2012 edition illustrated by Laurence Cleyet-Merle! I already knew I loved the rhymes from Linda Sattgast and now that my daughter is a little older they are more appropriate for her, and she does repeat them back. ;)
The Cleyet-Merle version is not as thick as some text that took up two or three pages is now on one. But do not think that over-crowds the pages because it doesn’t at all. The 2000 version had a lot of blank empty white space so if you trimmed all that and combined some things you could see how they got to here.
Cleyet-Merle’s illustrations span the two pages open to the reader and fill the imagination with vibrant colors of bold lines for nature, animals and people. If I had to choose between these two versions I’d jump for this new one easily!
With most pages having eight lines per page and some as many as twenty this is a great way to both introduce poetry, rhythm and rhyme as well as a great way to hear and possibly memorize scripture. All around win. :)
*Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review.*
Included in my blog post scheduled for December 27th, 2012, are images that I took to compare the artwork in the 2000 edition versus the 2012 edition.
scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
Other good recommendations is also:
For me it all started when I ended up with the toddler version by accident, also illustrated by Toni Goffe. I ended up with the toddler version by a blesseded accident as I meant to get the full version for participation in the Animal Play Curriculum for our two-year old homeschool year. I could not be more pleased in the end. The rhymes are a perfect length for my [at the time] toddler to repeat after me and really get some of the stories and learning new words. [At that time we would] start the morning with a section from the Rhyme Storybook Bible and the in the afternoon (when there is a toddler version of said verses) we read along together in a repeat-after-me fashion in the toddler version. I love this special time with her!
After realizing that I really needed the full version to go along with the curriculum I ordered myself a copy. After reading and reviewing the toddler version I knew that this would be worth every penny and I was not wrong. This [2000 edition] is bigger and thicker. There are about eight to ten lines per page as opposed to four three word phrases. It’s like taking the next step up and it’s fabulous. This will be great for years to come. [When I wrote this review in October of 2011, she would listen] to this one and doesn’t repeat the rhymes, but I think one day she’ll be ready for longer ones and this one will be perfect.
And now for this newer, 2012 edition… :) Right not Zondervan is on a roll with their Zonderkidz storybook Bibles all being the same size. I love it and my girls love it. While we enjoy The Rhyme Bible Storybook the copy I bought was big as I said, too big and bulky for my now preschooler to tote around and for her to snuggle with. However it was great for lap reading. Yet that is not the case with the perfectly sized 2012 edition illustrated by Laurence Cleyet-Merle! I already knew I loved the rhymes from Linda Sattgast and now that my daughter is a little older they are more appropriate for her, and she does repeat them back. ;)
The Cleyet-Merle version is not as thick as some text that took up two or three pages is now on one. But do not think that over-crowds the pages because it doesn’t at all. The 2000 version had a lot of blank empty white space so if you trimmed all that and combined some things you could see how they got to here.
Cleyet-Merle’s illustrations span the two pages open to the reader and fill the imagination with vibrant colors of bold lines for nature, animals and people. If I had to choose between these two versions I’d jump for this new one easily!
With most pages having eight lines per page and some as many as twenty this is a great way to both introduce poetry, rhythm and rhyme as well as a great way to hear and possibly memorize scripture. All around win. :)
*Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review.*
Included in my blog post scheduled for December 27th, 2012, are images that I took to compare the artwork in the 2000 edition versus the 2012 edition.
scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
Other good recommendations is also:
June 9, 2020
This book takes many of the classic biblical stories and retells them in a simple rhyme format suitable for young readers. Although the biblical stories are simplified for their intended audience, important details are not lost in the process. Adults will find the correlating scripture reference at the beginning of each story should they want to follow along. The artwork is charming and at times amusing with the characters or animals' reactions. Overall, a great way to introduce children to the Bible in a simple and fun manner.
November 20, 2020
Great introductory bible for little ones. It helps to set a foundation of Christianity and biblical principals for small, developing minds. Our son -- not yet four -- loved the rhymes and stories and asked questions and requested some stories to be retold over and over.
June 30, 2017
Very cute Bible. Great for any age! 11 year old daughter love it. great pictures and very easy to read.
February 4, 2020
Loved it. A lovely christening gift for my younger son that my older son enjoyed
May 4, 2022
As a fan of both the Bible and Rhyme, this is a favorite to read to our young ones.
January 17, 2023
It was kind of hysterical! Luke enjoyed it as a youngster
did-not-finish
January 30, 2025Pg 18
July 27, 2025
I don't love the new illustrations and page breaks. The old version I would give five stars!!
August 20, 2025
Not as good as The Jesus Storybook Bible but still would recommend💁🏻♀️
October 25, 2025
I randomly picked this up at a used bookstore. My kids LOVE it and ask for and recite the stories. We kept it in the kitchen and read stories at meals. Highly recommend for first Bible stories!
May 8, 2016
First "sentence":
This children's bible story book contains twenty-five stories: seventeen from the Old Testament, eighteen from the New Testament. There are seven stories originating from Genesis. Two stories are about Moses. Joshua, Samuel, David, Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Esther, and Nehemiah all get one story apiece. The New Testament stories come from the four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Readers learn about Jesus from his miraculous birth to his ascension into heaven.
Each story is told completely in rhyme. (That is one of the reasons this bible is so unique.) While it might be a stretch to say that every single poem is creatively unique and thoroughly engaging, it would be more than fair to say that the author does a good job with narrative voice. Some stories--or poems--I really, really love. Some I merely liked.
The stories vary in length between eight to twelve pages. The book has a generous proportion of illustrations providing a nice balance between text and illustration.
I really enjoyed reading this one.
The world was once/ As dark as night,/ But then God said/ "Let there be light!/ The light appeared;/ It shone so bright!/ And so began/ The day and night.
This children's bible story book contains twenty-five stories: seventeen from the Old Testament, eighteen from the New Testament. There are seven stories originating from Genesis. Two stories are about Moses. Joshua, Samuel, David, Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Esther, and Nehemiah all get one story apiece. The New Testament stories come from the four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Readers learn about Jesus from his miraculous birth to his ascension into heaven.
Each story is told completely in rhyme. (That is one of the reasons this bible is so unique.) While it might be a stretch to say that every single poem is creatively unique and thoroughly engaging, it would be more than fair to say that the author does a good job with narrative voice. Some stories--or poems--I really, really love. Some I merely liked.
"Jonah Goes To Ninevah"
God said to Jonah,
"I have a little task.
Get up and go to Ninevah
And do what I ask.
The people are wicked,
So tell them to obey."
But Jonah got on board a ship
And sailed the other way~
(Uh-oh, Jonah,
You better go to Ninevah!) p. 136-137
The stories vary in length between eight to twelve pages. The book has a generous proportion of illustrations providing a nice balance between text and illustration.
I really enjoyed reading this one.
December 25, 2016
I wrote in another review that The Rhyme Bible Storybook for Toddlers is my absolute favourite children’s bible. This one, The Rhyme Bible Storybook, is by the same author and features bible stories that are a little longer for the child who is ready for that. I think this bible is the perfect follow-up! There are 35 stories, 17 from the Old Testament and 18 from the New Testament. Each story is about 10-12 pages long, which is told in rhyming verse. That sounds like a lot, but the text is only on one side of the page and can be read in under a minute with the illustration featured on the other side of the page. This is also the same illustrator from The Rhyme Bible Storybook for Toddlers, and I like the familiarities of the drawings between the two bibles.
The publisher indicates that this bible is suited for Ages 4-8, but I feel that is only a starting point. I have read this bible aloud to my children many times over the years, and my younger daughter who just turned nine years old now enjoys reading it to herself. The stories are the perfect length for her.
This review was posted on my book blog:
http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.ca/2...
The publisher indicates that this bible is suited for Ages 4-8, but I feel that is only a starting point. I have read this bible aloud to my children many times over the years, and my younger daughter who just turned nine years old now enjoys reading it to herself. The stories are the perfect length for her.
This review was posted on my book blog:
http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.ca/2...
Read
July 9, 2013These illustrations are fresh, sweet, and funny without being goofy, sentimental, or too sophisticated. However, I preferred to introduce our children to the Bible without illustrations. We had read aloud through The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos a few times, as well as reading from Scripture, before using this book as a phonics reader. At that point, the familiar stories, cute pictures, and rhymes were just right to make learning phonics and practicing fluent reading a pleasure.
The Child's Story Bible
(By the way, for some reason, the book description I found here for The Child's Story Bible has nothing to do with the book.)
The Child's Story Bible
(By the way, for some reason, the book description I found here for The Child's Story Bible has nothing to do with the book.)
October 24, 2011
After realizing that I really needed this version to go along with the curriculum I ordered myself a copy. After reading and reviewing the toddler version I knew that this would be worth every penny and I was not wrong. This one is bigger and thicker. There are about eight to ten lines per page as opposed to four three word phrases. It's like taking the next step up and it's fabulous. This will be great for years to come. She listens to this one and doesn't repeat the rhymes, but I think one day she'll be ready for longer ones and this one will be perfect.
Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
January 2, 2020
My Grandparents gave this to me one summer and it was so delightfully easy that I read it all within my stay with them. Children will connect with what the story is saying and remember the lesson after they have finished. Mostly, I treasure this book for its pictures! It's been years since I've opened it up and at first glance all the memories came flooding back. I believe some of these illustrations are still how I picture the Biblical Events of my devotions. Yes, I recommend this book as a first bible for young readers!
October 20, 2010
Had to buy our own copy since I was borrowing this one so much from my mom. My 4 yr old son LOVES it and is always asking me to read another story from it once we read one. I'm also using it in our MOPs group for the MOPPETs program with the 2/3 yr olds. While some of the words are a little harder for preschoolers (since they do need to rhyme), the verse makes up for it by being easy and fun to listen to.
February 11, 2014
Though content-level understanding is geared toward elementary-aged children, preschoolers will also enjoy listening to the rhythm of the rhymes in these stories. The pictures are slightly cartoonish, which makes some of the stories seem silly rather than serious (The plagues in Egypt) or sad (Adam and Eve disobeying God).
February 16, 2014
This book is delightful. My family and I read this many, many times when my children were smaller (it was a gift for my oldest daughter for learning the Our Father). The illustrations are fun, and the rhymes are wonderful. We read it some many times, I can recite a few of them from memory. A great beginner's Bible for kids from 2-5.
August 28, 2008
This is a great Bible for preschoolers! The stories are all in natural-sounding rhyme and the pictures are cool and funky. (However, my son didn't like the illustration of Jesus on the cross. It scared him.)
March 8, 2015
Well done rhyming versions of well-known
Bible stories.
Bible stories.
November 18, 2008
Three year old loves this book and carries it around the house.
September 7, 2010
It's actually fun to read. The illustrations are only okay.
December 13, 2010
Excellent for young children! Connor grabs for it and says "Bible" all the time. It makes me smile!
March 24, 2013
Love this book, the Rhyme Bible makes the stories fun and interesting. And as always the rhymes makes it more soothing and memorable :)
February 23, 2014
check out my video review at http://cheshirecatlookingglass.com/rh...
June 4, 2021
Charming rhymes for 35 stories help to hold the attention of very young children. Illustrations are 2-page spreads that enhance the terrific text.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews