FINALIST FOR THE CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD® • Introducing a Bible storybook featuring 45 stories from the Bible, with reflections from adorable Little Cub and her friends—part of the bestselling God Gave Us series, with more than 5 million books sold!God Gave Us the Bible introduces kids to the STORY of stories—the love story between God and his people. Ideal for readers aged 3 to 7, written in a framework where Little Cub and her animal friends reflect many of the questions young readers have about Bible stories. The book features forty-five Bible stories and concepts that every child should know/be introduced to, like Noah and the Ark, the Birth of Jesus, and Jesus Feeds the 5,000 in a very warm, conversational, reassuring manner.
Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 60 books, with more than 4.5 million copies sold. She recently released The Sugar Baron's Daughters Series (KETURAH, VERITY and SELAH), and recently finished a teen series called Remnants (SEASON OF WONDER, SEASON OF FIRE, and SEASON OF GLORY). She's also written the River of Time Series (WATERFALL, CASCADE, TORRENT, BOURNE & TRIBUTARY, DELUGE) and The Grand Tour Series (GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS, GRAVE CONSEQUENCES, GLITTERING PROMISES), time-slip romance duology called River of Time: California (THREE WISHES and FOUR WINDS), and some contemporary romances (ONCE UPON A MONTANA SUMMER and ONCE UPON AN IRISH SUMMER are the newest releases).
Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing, consulting and helping Tim with his business. Her husband Tim is a sculptor of ducks-out-of-fenceposts (RMRustic.com), graphic designer and musician. They have three big kids–Olivia (who just got married), Emma (who is about to get married) and Jack (who is a junior in high school).
The Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
GOD GAVE US THE BIBLE: 45 FAVORITE STORIES FOR LITTLE ONES is an adorable book with beautifully done illustrations featuring popular Little Cub and her friends, Little Cub is having a sleep over and Mama invites the animal *kids* in to hear the best story ever. The stories are told with the animal *kids* interrupting, just like in real life.
GOD GAVE US THE BIBLE: 45 FAVORITE STORIES FOR LITTLE ONES is a unique approach to the timeless Bible stories. I love how Mama stresses that the stories are true. This is a friendly, non-threatening (and not scary) Bible story book that is perfect for snuggle time with little ones.
Lisa Tawn Bergren and David Hahn join forces again to bring the Bible to life for children. Mama Bear and her little forest friends go through 45 Bible stories, discovering how events that happened so long ago are relevant in their lives today.
With simple and succinct retellings that are true to scripture and warm, inviting illustrations, children ages 3 to 7 will get drawn into the book. Natural stopping points are built into this 150+ page book for shorter attention spans and bedtimes. Parents can delve into the questions their own littles may have too.
The thick hardbound cover and thick pages mean this book can be read as many times as children ask for it.
Disclosure statement: I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I know some parents might be seeking an excellent book for their children. Are you seeking a way to identify Gods story to little one? Well this book, God Gave Us the Bible as a few favorite stories. It a good one and well done.
The stories are brief but mean full. They may allow the children asking some questions about the bible or the meaning of the story. This book retains characters that display this though animals with a Mama bear and a few forest animal kids. I like this concept and could understand it. The stories are not in depth of the Bible, but it gives the children or animal kids in the book to ask about a b meaning of a word or prase. Mama explains them try to provide them an answer that they would understand.
The pictures are effectively put together. I enjoy looking them, and they did tell the story. I was able to read this book in one sitting. I had to take a break when I was going an appointment. I finished the same day as I started it. If I did not have to go any where and launched this at home, I would completed reading it in one sitting.
This book does teach you some lessons and the story of Christ though the eyes of little cubs. Parents should think to put this on their bookshelves for their children or grandchildren. Good for children of juvenile readers.
I love Bible story books for young children but Lisa Tawn Bergren has done more than re-tell favorite Bible stories in GOD GAVE US THE BIBLE. A skilled storyteller and author of multiple bestselling novels, Bergen has written 45 insightful short stories from the Bible. Here’s where this book is different: woven into each story is a dialogue between Mama, Little Pup or Little Cub. These exchanges help children (and adults) understand how to apply the Bible story into everyday life. It results in a powerful tool to make the Bible relevant.
As Bergren writes in one of the opening pages, “This story God gave us,” she said, lifting her Bible. “It’s really our story” (page 8)
Vivid and well-done illustrations from David Hohn are combined with a master storyteller who captures Biblical truth for our daily lives. GOD GAVE US THE BIBLE is a wonderful and rich book targeted for children from 3-8. I hope it will be a classic Bible storybook and highly recommend it.
Adorable collection! This an easy way to introduce kiddos to the Bible and the stories in them. Paired with a cast of animal characters that are hearing the stories along with them, this makes a perfect bedtime story book. My kiddos will LOVE this!
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
My family (3 kids under 5) read this cover to cover, one story at a time and LOVED it! It’s simple yet powerful. A wonderful conversation starter with beautiful images. I highly recommend for any young audience!
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Multnomah/Waterbrook Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
As a Sabbath School teacher who tends to focus on aspects of stories that are a bit more dark and grim and real than most child-friendly portrayals of the Bible, I am fascinated by the way that people seek to present the Bible in a way that is appealing to children and that also does not run afoul of the sensitivities of contemporary parents. What struck me as particularly odd about this book was the way that it focused on talking animals in a way that presents a perhaps unforeseen difficulty. The talking animals here are generally cute and suitably obvious in setting up obvious explanations by the author about challenging aspects of the stories for children to understand, but the lack of relevance for the Bible's promise to human beings as children of God (promises that animals have not received) makes the fact that animals are voicing these stories as somewhat odd and even a little bit off-putting. To be sure, the author is not attempting to be off-putting in any way, but having animals celebrate what is directed at and gives great promises to humans that they do not share in is somewhat more melancholy than I would expect from a children's book.
This particular book takes about 150 pages to tell 45 stories through the point of view of talking wild animals. The stories themselves are heavily concentrated in the beginning of the Bible as well as in the Gospels. So we have stories about creation, Adam & Eve, leaving the garden, Noah's ark, God's choice of Abraha, Sarah giving birth to Isaac, Joseph and his coat, Joseph sold as a slave, Joseph imprisoned in Egypt, Pharaoh's dreams, and Joseph and his brothers going to Egypt from Genesis. We then have have baby Moses' adoption, Moses' flight from Egypt, the burning bush, Moses confronting Pharaoh, fleeing Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the ten commandments from Exodus. After that the following stories are the only remaining ones from the Hebrew scriptures: David and Goliath, Queen Esther, the bravery of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and Daniel in the lion's den. The rest of the stories spring from the New Testament, and as one would imagine they focus mainly on Jesus' life and teachings. Beyond these, the book closes with stories of Paul's Damascus road conversion as well as his apostolic efforts.
Overall, this book is a generally enjoyable one in the way that it tells stories about the Bible to children. To be sure, one would always want more stories to be told, but it is little surprise that this book focuses on Genesis and Exodus as well as the New Testament as these stories are likely to be of the most interest to those wishing to teach the Bible to children without a focus on some of the darker stories that I would personally focus more on. Be that as it may, this book does focus on enough aspects of the Bible to allow for some serious conversations not only about divine providence but also about the hostility of people to the servants of God. Pondering why evil authorities and corrupt people would be hostile to those who follow God is the sort of serious lesson that children would be well-serve to reflect upon so that opposition does not surprise them when they are faithful teenagers or young adults, and are able to handle it. By and large, though, this book provides innocent perspectives of biblical stories that is best suited to younger kids just becoming familiar with the Bible.
** “I want to share a story with you. The best story ever!” **
“God Gave Us the Bible: 45 Favorite Stories for Little Ones,” written by Lisa Tawn Bergren and illustrated by David Hohn, will soon become a family favorite.
Starting with creation and ending with Jesus’ death and resurrection and Paul’s spreading of the gospel, Bergren’s latest children’s book shares the biblical stories as Mama Bear tells Little Cub and his adorable friends — a moose, wolf, owl, skunk, otter, goose and raccoon — the stories straight from the Bible.
Begren does an incredible job of sharing each story simply — on a level children will easily understand. She also does a great job of defining “religious” terms like genesis, disciple and parable. She brings the Scriptures alive for people of all ages.
Throughout “God Gave Us the Bible,” Mama is able to teach Little Cub and his woodland friends lessons to be learned from each story, like God gives us choices, including the choice to love Him; God does the impossible; trust in God helps us to be brave and defeat the giants in our lives; and God is with us always, even in the storms.
The text criss-crosses between the Bible stories and the young ones’ questions about Mama’s stories.
Hohn’s artwork is a delight. Little Cub and his friends are absolutely adorable. And the biblical scenes are colorful and eye-catching. The artist has a way of creating pictures full of color that are also soft and muted and therefore pleasing to the eye.
This is a delightful story and a great collaboration between author and artist. Families will fall in love with “God Gave Us the Bible.”
Five stars out of five.
Waterbrook provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
God Gave Us the Bible, 45 Favorite Stories for Little Ones is a 159 page hard cover book for children up to age 8. Author Lisa Tawn Bergren and artist David Hohn have done a remarkable job bringing the Bible stories to little ones. This book is adorable and has a multitude of wonderful stories to teach children.
The book has Mama Bear telling stories from the Bible to Little Cub and his friends, moose, owl, skunk, raccoon, wolf, goose, and otter. “I want to share a story with you. The best story ever!” Mama begins with creation and goes through to Jesus’ death and resurrection ending with Paul’s spreading of the gospel. All of the stories are told so that they might be understood. The children even interrupt Mama to ask questions. How true to form!
Stories are told and explained so that children will understand them. The illustrations are delightful and children will certainly enjoy them. This book is made to teach young ones the Bible on their level. It is a remarkable offering that will become a favorite “read that story again” book.
One of my favorite things about this endearing book is that Mama Bear reiterates that these are true stories that actually happened. It is vital we teach this to our children and this book is an excellent start. I also loved the mix of Old and New Testament stories.
I am in love with this book! Every child should be given one. Unfortunately that won’t happen. It would make a beneficial addition to Sunday School Classes and Christian Schools and Daycares. This would make a treasured shower, baby, or birthday gift, and don’t forget Christmas. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by the Publisher but these are my honest thoughts.
I have read many of the God Gave Us… books by Lisa Tawn Bergren, and while this one is slightly different in that it’s a devotional for little ones, it is just as great as the rest. I absolutely loved this devotional. I plan on keeping it until Christmas for my kids, but I have no doubt they will love learning more about their favorite Bible stories along with Little Cub and her friends. It starts out with Momma Bear reading the Bible to Little Cub and her friends, so it’s told in a storybook type style. Very easy for little ones to understand on their level. Some of Little Cub’s friends and Little Cub ask questions throughout the devotional that help apply principles taught through each Bible story to their lives. I think it’s ideal for younger children (like 2-5), but my oldest is 7 and I think she will still enjoy this devotional during family devotions. It’s so important that we instill God’s Word into our children, and I think this is the perfect book to start with. It has amazing illustrations that will keep your kids attention throughout the book. Highly recommend this one!
**I received this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love children's Bible story books, and now that we're expecting our first grandchild, I'm enjoying building a library of books to read to her, so I was excited to be invited by the publisher to be a part of the book launch team for God Gave Us the Bible.
God Gave Us the Bible has a rather unique approach. It's written as a Mama Bear reading the Bible to forest children. It took me a moment to adjust, since it is different, but the way it's presented makes perfect sense.
Each of the stories is told in easy to understand language. Interspersed between the stories are conversations between Mama Bear and the children. They discuss the stories. The children ask questions, and Mama Bear explains things at their level. I was impressed at how theologically sound everything is, despite the simplicity of the book. It truly sets the stage for more in depth conversations with children.
I'd like to also mention that the book is a nice, solid hardback with thick, glossy pages and beautiful artwork. Parents and children alike will enjoy their time reading God Gave Us the Bible. I can't wait until I can hold our little one in my lap and read this to her.
Lisa Tawn Bergren offers young readers ages 3-7 a newly-published and wonderfully enchanting Bible storybook. GOD GAVE US THE BIBLE: 45 Favorite Stories for Little Ones tells familiar Bible stories in a short enough but easily understood manner so that young children won't get restless and lose interest in what is being read. With the adorable, full-color illustrations by David Hohn, Ms. Bergren tells each story through the 'voice' of Mama Bear, with interruptions from Little Cub and her friends asking questions about the story Mama Bear just read to them, just like little children do. Her answers to their questions are Biblical and easy to understand. The hardcover copy is heavy and the inside pages are printed on thicker paper, making it able to hold up through many years' worth of page-turning, I wish it had come with a bookmark ribbon to be able to find the stopping place easier next time the book is read. I highly recommend this adorably endearing Bible story book to anyone who enjoys reading to their youngsters.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but was under no reviewing obligation and this is my honest opinion of the book.
Lisa Tawn Bergren, along with artist David Hohn, bring 45 of the most colorful stories to life for children from 3 to 8. From Adam and Eve to the Apostle Paul, you will read along with Mama Bear as she tells stories that teach children about sin and forgiveness, salvation and redemption, sickness and healing, faith and trust and, most importantly, God and Jesus.
Children will be enthralled with the beautiful colors and pictures and will learn God’s truth through the Bible stories. I enjoyed the insertion of the questions from the bear cub and other animals. You will enjoy reading these stories to your little ones as much as they will enjoy hearing them.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free as part of Waterbrook Multnomah’s “God Gave Us The Bible” Launch Team. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Introducing your child to the Bible is important, but not always easy. Even if you've grown up reading the Bible, it can be hard to share what it says with young minds. God Gave Us the Bible works to bridge that gap.
Containing 45 stories from the Bible, God Gave Us the Bible is written in words that children can easily understand. Kids can learn along with Little Cub and her friends and Mama Bear tells what the Bible says about God's love, from creation to Jesus' death and resurrection to the spread of the church. Each story is easy to read and illustrated with colorful pictures that children can look at as they listen to the words.
To help parents, the passages that the stories come from are listed. This allows them to look up answers that may not be covered in the stories, and lets older children find and read the stories in the Bible so that they can see more details.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
God Gave Us the Bible: 45 Favorite Stories for Little Ones is a wonderful Bible storybook, written by Lisa Tawn Bergren and illustrated by David Hohn. The book is hardcover, 7.3 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches in size, and weighs about 1.1 pounds.
The charming children’s book begins with a Mama Bear telling her Little Cub and his friends about the Bible. During each of the 45 Bible stories shown in the book, one of the animal characters will make a comment or ask a question about the Bible story; the “story within a story” aspect of the book will help young children engage with the Bible stories as they read them with their parents. One of my favorite stories told in the book is David and Goliath, based on 1 Samuel 17. Another favorite story of mine is The Wise Men Find Jesus, based on Matthew 2. This Bible storybook is a great way to help children remember Bible stories and grow in their faith.
I really enjoy books by Lisa Tawn Bergren. Of course the art by David Hohn is fantastic and adds a fun element to this book. The story starts with Mama Bear wanting to share the best story (the Bible) with the different forest animal kids. So starting in Genesis and ending in Acts this book quickly takes you through the main "Bible stories". I think it was a decent book and could be good for littles to get conversation started and interest in the Bible. I think further discussion is needed but I did enjoy the parts where the kids interrupt and ask questions. This shows children that it is okay to ask about things and really take time to listen to the story.
I would back this up with the Bible of course but for little ones this could be a nice addition to your library.
Five Stars.
"I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
With beautiful illustrations by David Hohn, Lisa Tawn Bergren puts together 45 favorite Bible stories into a book geared toward children. I love how the book begins with the Genesis stories and interjects questions from Little Cub and his friends that children might ask their parents about the various stories. Mama Bear's answers gently lead her "listeners" on a journey toward faith.
The book itself is hardcover, so it is very durable, and I can't say enough about the illustrations. This is a great read aloud book for parents to share with their little ones. Children will love looking at the pictures while listening to the stories.
I recommend this to parents or grandparents who have young children who love to be read to! You can read the whole thing at once, or take it in smaller bites. It is definitely a keeper!
Author Lisa Tawn Bergren has been a favorite of many readers for a number of years; when she decided to write the God Gave Us series for children I knew something good was coming.
God Gave Us the Bible is simply a delight. From the first introductory pages with a sleepover, Liitle Cub and his friends are excited to sit by Mama Bear as she reads “the story God gave us”, Bergren takes little ones from the very beginning, Genesis. Choosing 45 Bible stories easily understood by the young, the author writes in an engaging manner meant to capture their attention and imagination.
Illustrated by David Holm, the colorful and delightful art with animals and people, this book is a winner! I highly recommend God Gave Us the Bible!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own, and freely given.
Adorable children's Bible storybook. This Bible book is different than others I have read to my children and read as a child myself, it starts with mama bear being a sort of narrator reading these stories to a group of woodland creatures. My kids love the pictures and enjoy the layout of the stories. These are some of the well known stories that most children would hear in Sunday school or Bible school but still a great book with hidden surprise stories that I have never found in other books we've read. This author has many lovely books that our family has enjoyed over the years and this will be happily added to that collection. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah and these are my own thoughts and opinions
A wonderful way to introduce children to the basics of Scripture. Shared in a loving and purposeful manner, this series of stories points to the fact that God's plan of salvation has been woven through the lives and circumstances of history since the beginning of time. The brief, kid-level commentary between the woodland characters gives beautiful yet simple and practical applications for any age, and the heartwarming illustrations create a cozy feel while reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
God Gave us the Bible is the perfect book for any little believer. It gives different Bible Stories in short form to keep their attention, throughout the book their is a Mama Bear answering her little cub and his forest friends questions. Many of the questions are questions my boys ask. The book has amazing illustrations for them as well. My boys have began to love this book to the point it’s an every night book that they pick a story to read from before reading any other book.
Thank you for the free copy of this book from Waterbrook can’t wait till everyone can have it in their houses soon. This is my unbiased review and so thankful my boys are able to have this great book to learn from
I am a big fan of the author’s books, especially the God Gave Us Series. The different characters from the series are woven into the book and ask Mama Bear questions about the Bible stories, as she tells them. The book contains 45 stories from the Bible and references where the reader can find the actual stories in the Bible. The book serves as a great starting point to introduce children to some of the more well-known Bible stories. Children will continue to fall in love with the characters from the God Gave Us series while learning more about God.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher.
The words flow fluidly from page to page and the storyline is intricate yet simple to understand.
The illustrations were well-done: colorful, captivating and tailored fit for a child's eye.
The messages in this book are Bible-based and very inspiring!
I truly enjoyed reading this book and plan to give it away to my church's free books library so that the children of our church and visitors too may be encouraged by the content of this wonderful story!
*I (Alexis A. Goring) received a copy of "God Gave Us the Bible: 45 Favorite Stories for Little Ones" from the author's publisher. My opinions in this honest review are my own.
I love the unique approach this Bible story book uses to explain the stories in a child friendly way.
The book contains 45 familiar bible stories from the Old and New Testament. The illustrations are bright and beautifully done and will capture a child's attention.
When little cub has a sleepover with his animal friends Mama Bear reads them God's story, which she emphasizes is true. Mama does a great job explaining and answering all the little animal kids questions about each bible story. She shares that God gave us the Bible and the story is never ending.
This is a great book for bedtime, devotions, and a great gift for a special little one.
This book is the best children’s book of God ever! The Bible stories are read by mama Polar bear to little Polar bear and his animal friends. Throughout the book the little animals ask questions about the Bible stories. This held my granddaughters attention and she loved it. It’s so easy for the little ones to relate to because of the little animals asking questions. I’ve looked for books that tell the stories of the Bible for children but none captivated me like this one! Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
This is a fun way to share Bible stories with you little ones. I have read through this with my 5 and 3 year-olds and they loved it. It captures all the major stories that you would want to share with you littles in an easy to read outline with an underlying storyline that lets them explore with the characters questions and meaning behind these stories. It can be a great starting point for good discussions with the littles.
This is my honest review after receiving an Advanced Reader Copy.
GOD GAVE US THE BIBLE is an endearing collection of 45 Bible stories. This beautifully illustrated book contains some of the most pivotal events in the Bible, including stories about Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Esther, Mary, Jesus, and Paul. The stories are tied together with a subplot of a Mama Bear teaching her children about the Bible. There are often brief explanations by Mama Bear of what can be learned from each story and how it is applicable to us today. This book would make a great addition for families desiring to instill Biblical teachings to their children.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. I was happy to leave an honest review.
God Gave Us the Bible: Forty-Five Favorite Stories for Little Ones is a wonderful book that parents should add to their library for kids. It tells some of the most familiar stories of the Bible in an understandable way and is beautifully illustrated. The addition of the Mama Bear and her cubs reading the stories along with us and asking questions adds a new dimension to the traditional Bible story book. I was grateful to receive an advance copy of this book to review.
I enjoyed this book more than my 8 month old son did! It was a little over his head, but I’m excited to read it to him as he gets older. The book includes Mama and Little Cub as they read the Bible to Little Cub’s friends. It’s a break from the normal Bible stories, and I love how the ending encourages us to keep up the story of the Bible. It’s our mission to continue spreading the good news. The message was clear enough for a child to understand!