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Epic: The Story that Changed the World

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Epic: The Story that Changed the World is a graphic novel style Bible storybook featuring 40 stories and life-application questions circling back to the one big story of Jesus and making biblical events more relevant for today's youth. The book features familiar yet reimagined art from the One Big Story brand that is perfect for engaging older kids and preteen readers.

This B&H Kids book includes a Parent Connection, an easy tool to help moms and dads (or anyone else who loves kids) discuss the book's message with their child. We're all about connecting parents and kids to each other and to God's Word. 

320 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2019

18 people want to read

About the author

Aaron Armstrong

20 books140 followers

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Nick.
747 reviews135 followers
September 4, 2019
What a great Children’s Bible! I have four kids, so I have read through numerous children’s Bibles. This one is a cut above. It includes stories and details that none of the other ones do. What other children’s Bible do you know that includes the story of David and Bathsheba? Or the book of Revelation? It’s formatted like a graphic novel and the illustrations are perfect. Even though it’s written for 8 to 12-year-olds, my four-year-old son loves it too.
Profile Image for David  Schroeder.
223 reviews35 followers
April 18, 2019
I gave EPIC to my youngest daughter (9, so she is a great age for it) not long ago. I literally had to take it from her hands so she would go to bed the other night. Yes, I recognize that I'm a good yet terrible father for doing so. But, the book is that good. Such a beautiful narrative with compelling images to help kids understand the big picture of the Bible. Love it!
Profile Image for Bethany Meadows.
174 reviews36 followers
February 13, 2024
This is such a great Bible story book. I love how each story has more depth and detail than most children’s Bible story books. I especially love how each Old Testament story ends by pointing back to Christ.
Profile Image for Patricia Timbrook.
55 reviews8 followers
July 1, 2019
"This 319-paged, 21st-Century Juvenile Nonfiction, immediately grabs a reader's attention through its front cover: bold, full-color graphics. Inside, it reveals the truths of God's Word, chapters by chapters in the Old and in the New Testaments, in an understandable and easy-to-read text. EPIC concludes with a "Parent Connection" page. This version is retold by Aaron Armstrong and illustrated by Heath McPherson, through the "GOSPEL PROJECT for Kids", and published by B & H Publishing Group of Nashville, Tennessee, in 2019.

"The Introduction Page of EPIC, The Story that Changed the World, provides the reader with information about the meaning of the word, epic; and, then, further explains the reason behind using it for the book's title. Today, most of the publishers of Bible retellings for children, include the word, bible, in their book titles; i.e., The Children's Illustrated Bible (full size), retold by Selina Hastings, illustrated by Eric Thomas, and published by DK Children/Hardcover; The Holy Bible for Children Simplified Version of the Old and New Testaments, Hardcover, retold by Alan Jahsman; and there exist many similar titles from a number of other publishers, as well. But, who knows how much time the B & H publishers spent title-brainstorming? However long, it proved worthwhile. For it seems that they struck an angelic chord when they decided to substitute the word EPIC for the word, bible, in this new edition. A changeup like this may already have disturbed some Christian groups, who perhaps are claiming that, by not using the word bible in the book title, it compromises the retelling; and, that this action is way "out of bounds." However, those same groups must carefully consider that EPIC is a retelling of, and NOT the Holy Bible itself; and, that this retelling was thoughtfully organized, packaged, and published for today's kids. Anyone who's ministering now--or has done so, say, in the past 10 years-- most likely has tuned in to the "I-don't-care" attitudes of, and the greater peer pressures of pre-to-early teenagers now. Often, like cheese sliding off a pizza, these kids ease out of carrying a "real" bible, nor will open one, even if it's within reach. So, Praise the Lord! for all the retellings that tactfully produce Christian literature on a level equal with today's youth--and, EPIC, The Story that Changed the World, is one of them, with its own powerful graphics and a "right on" title. It is also another modernly made, savvy media tool produced to help capture the minds, and, hopefully, the hearts of young people for God. (So, who is not for that!?)

     If the "E" rates video games acceptable for Everyone; then, let's rate the E in Epic as E (everyone's) Pic, or pick. You might even say, 'That's truly, epic, Dude.'" (Mrs. Patricia Ann Timbrook, PaySays, Children's Book Reviewer, July 1, 2019.)
Profile Image for Karl Dumas.
193 reviews3 followers
June 16, 2019
In my perfect world, everyone would love reading the Bible—not just the exciting stories, but the whole of the text. I realize that not everyone has the reading skills or the patience to make their ways through the genealogies and some of the other less than thrilling passages, so maybe books of Bible stories are a way to get people interested. Or at least familiarize them with the grand themes of Scripture. I got my first bible several decades ago, and Genesis was fun to read, Exodus was exciting for a while, but then come Leviticus and Numbers, and no matter how often I tried, it was hard to get through Exodus, much less what is often referred to as ‘insomniac literature’.
So, for a generation that is growing up with ‘super-heroes’ and electronic devices, EPIC: The Story that Changed the World (B&H Publishing Group, 2019), retold by Aaron Armstrong and illustrated by Heath McPherson, may be the way to go. The book contains 40 chapters or stories that make up the Biblical Narrative. It starts with the creation story, traces the history of God's people and their journey to the Promised Land, then chronicles their time there and in exile. The story of Jesus'' birth, life, death and resurrection is told, followed by some of the theology of Paul and the other epistle writers. Finally, the last chapter is a brief account of the Revelation. Or as is mentioned on the back cover: “from the creation to the cross and the resurrection to the revelation”.
Each chapter includes a question to challenge the reader to think about a key theme of the chapter, and to get them thinking about how all the pieces of the bible, fit together to form one epic story about God and His Son- Jesus, the greatest super-hero of them all.
The illustrations would be appropriate for someone of my generation, but I imagine the tech-savvy youth of today might find them a little less than inspiring.
I agree with the ‘product details’ that suggest this book is appropriate for young people from 8 -12 years old (3rd – 7th grade). If you read aloud a lot to your child, or your child is an advanced reader, he or she may appreciate this book at an even younger age.
The publisher sent me a copy of this book because I participate in their bloggers’ program. I was asked to write and post an honest review; there was no requirement to write a positive review.
Profile Image for Aaron.
900 reviews45 followers
June 3, 2019
With a surplus of superhero movies coming out this season, how can the Bible attract the attention of today’s youth?

A Truly Epic Tale

Like the comic books that started the superhero craze, Epic: The Story that Changed the World is a Bible storybook in the style of a graphic novel. It features 40 stories and pages filled with marvelous illustrations.

This novel is fittingly thick enough and heavy enough to earn the feeling of an epic book. The printing is bright and colorful to engage young readers. The cover and binding are sturdy enough to survive the punishment it will take from active and adventurous children.

Changing the World

What this book does better than others is to provide life-application questions for parents to discuss with their children. The cross is alluded to in the beginning chapters, and the book does not end at the resurrection. The entire Biblical narrative continues through the Acts of the Apostles and ending with Revelation.

Just because this Bible storybook is surrounded by art, it does not mean the words are not important. The text is taken from the Christian Standard Bible, which means it makes for an engaging and accurate presentation of Biblical truths. The text is appropriately distributed and displayed, allowing younger eyes to linger on the artwork while progressing through the story.

One Big Story

Under the banner of One Big Story, this book achieves in telling the whole story of the Gospel. It breathes new life into ancient truths. It is a tool for parents to connect with their children. It will point your young ones to Jesus.

I was provided a complimentary copy of Epic: The Story that Changed the World (One Big Story) in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mikaela Carroll.
57 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2019
When I used to work in a Christian bookstore, I noticed that many of the storybook type Bibles were created for much younger kids. These types of Bibles are great to introduce children to the stories of the Bible without overwhelming them with words they don't understand and chapters that go over their head. However, as kids get older, there seems to be a lack of materials to help them bridge the gap between children's story Bibles and the actual Bible. Epic: The Story that Changed the World is an excellent resource for kids who have grown beyond the preschool story Bibles, but who aren't quite ready to read the entire Bible on their own.

This Bible contains forty stories illustrated in an engaging and exciting way. Each chapter contains a question meant to prompt kids to consider how the story applies to their personal life. Further, this Bible was written with the purpose of demonstrating that the entire Bible is one story. Each piece is connected, from the creation to the revelation.

Although this Bible is for "middle-grade" readers, it seems a bit young for most middle-school aged children. I think that this would be an excellent book for kids between the ages of 6 and 10. I also would highly recommend that the stories in this are used as a supplement to the actual stories in the Bible. It would be a wonderful resource for parents who want to make the Bible more accessible for their kiddos!

You can purchase the book here, or at your local LifeWay Bookstore!

*I received this book for free from B&H Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jennie Webb.
669 reviews14 followers
July 4, 2019
A good summary of the Bible for kids, in comic form. If they fix a few of the mistakes I found, it will be great! 😊
15 reviews
November 19, 2019
Bought this as a gift for my friend’s son. He absolutely loves it! Great artwork and wonderfully captures the story of the Bible. Great value! Better story!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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