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The First Easter Ever

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Through easy-to-understand text and vibrant and engaging artwork from T he Read with Me Bible creator Dennis Jones, readers 4-8 can experience the timeless story of Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection and God’s amazing love through simple words and expressive pictures they clearly understand. A clear retelling of the Easter story, from the explaining Jesus’s ministry to his time in the garden of Gethsemane, death on the cross, and his coming back to life, this paperback of The First Easter Ever is sure to be popular with young readers each holiday season. This picture book is perfect And if you enjoy The First Easter Ever , check out The First Christmas Ever by Dennis Jones as well!

32 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2015

10 people want to read

About the author

Zondervan

1,716 books108 followers
Zondervan is an international Christian media and publishing company. Zondervan is a founding member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). They are a part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. and has multiple imprints including Zondervan Academic, Zonderkidz, Blink, and Editorial Vida. Zondervan is the commercial rights holder for the New International Version (NIV) Bible in North America.

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5 stars
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1 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for Manybooks.
3,853 reviews100 followers
April 5, 2022
I am not and never have been all that religious and have also not had all that much religion (and with religion I mean Christianity) taught to me either at home or at school. But I do believe in God, and for me, any published piece of writing specifically about Jesus Christ which is being geared towards children (either as a picture book or as something more substantial) needs to be respectfully penned and would if I had my own choice in the matter also use as many direct quotes from the Bible as possible (and preferably from the King James version, which definitely tends to be my personal favourite). And sorry, but the presented text for The First Easter Ever (which might have been both written and also illustrated by Dennis Jones, although I am by no means certain of this), albeit that it does textually present a biblically authentic enough seeming rendition of Jesus Christ's life until his resurrection from death during the as the book title points out "first Easter ever" the narrational tone of voice for The First Easter Ever feels almost a bit sneeringly denigrating and sometimes with a suppressed and totally uncalled for and inappropriate sense of humour (well, at least that has been my own personal feeling regarding the textual representation of Jesus Christ's life as it is shown in The First Easter Ever and it most definitely does rather rub me both emotionally and spiritually the wrong proverbial way, not massively, not painfully, but enough so to be noticeable).

However, the main reason why my rating for The First Easter Ever is only two stars, this is actually not so very much due to the narrative, is not really hugely because of the presented printed words. For although I do find that the featured penned account of Jesus Christ in The First Easter Ever is definitely a bit too “modern” for me personally and equally kind of feels more than a trifle trivialising at times, the text for The First Easter Ever does generally still present the tale of Jesus Christ like it is for the most part shown in the three synoptic gospels of the New Testament of the Bible (in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke). And well and honestly, it is actually and in fact the artwork, it is Dennis Jones’ illustrations for The First Easter Ever that I totally visually despise, that I find both majorly aesthetically unpleasant and also visually rather an insult towards not only Jesus Christ but in fact towards everyone who is part of the Easter story. Because those pictures for The First Easter Ever, not only is Dennis Jones’ utilised colour scheme horribly gaudy and exaggeratedly bright, but come on, ALL of the human figures, and yes, even Jesus Christ himself, they appear as deliberately caricature like, and I for one do find the entire concept of Jesus Christ being drawn, being illustrated by Dennis Jones in a decidedly visually parodistic manner not only ridiculous but also aesthetically inappropriate and unsuitable.
Profile Image for Jalynn Patterson.
2,218 reviews40 followers
March 31, 2015
9780310740841

About the Book:

A simple retelling of the Easter story, this small and affordable format paperback, The First Easter Ever is sure to be popular with young readers. Using the vibrant and popular artwork of Dennis Jones, families can share this timeless story of God s promise of everlasting love each Easter season."


About the Author:

Dennis Jones loves to draw. His artwork can be seen in books, magazines, games, toys and Sunday school curriculum. He’s illustrated several children’s products including the Read with Me Bible and the NIrV Super Heroes Bible. Dennis lives in Indiana with his wife Karen and has two grown sons.


My Review:

I have never read a book until now relating to a the Easter story of children at shared as much as The First Easter Ever. In the simple retelling of the Easter story it is a more expanded view and it offers this to the reader. Along with relatable illustrations as well as very simple wording you child will get the complete retelling of our Easter promise within the pages of this sweet children's book. My sons enjoyed the book and I enjoyed it because it went into a lot more detail than other books tend to do.


It starts the Easter story at the time of Jesus' baptism, it explains that He was baptized by his cousin John. Many children are not even aware that John the Baptist was his cousin. It goes on to describe the even that took place in the garden of Gethsemane while Jesus prayed. This book is a better retelling based on the facts that it lists that are usually not available in other children's books.


We love the book and the illustrations are perfect!


**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from my participation on the Z Blog Squad.

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