I love the comforting vocabulary and phrasing of this Bible story book. The wording is more in keeping with the 1950s than with contemporary, 2018 literature, but I did not find this distracting. In fact, I found it endearing! The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL paintings that I wish I could rip out and frame for my walls. I only wish that these paintings depicted the Bible characters with more ethnic accuracy according to the location of the stories. I especially love how the author delves into the possible thoughts and feelings of the Bible characters in these stories and how he writes about these feelings in a way that seem remarkably similar to feelings we all have today. I can hardly wait to read these stories to my children in just a short time.
My parents owned this series, but I don't think they were ever read to us. I do remember seeing them at the doctor's office or dentist as well. I am now reading through this series with my children to give them a general overview of the Bible.
This first book does a good job of drawing the children into the stories and painting word pictures to help children understand. Very rarely does it get bogged down.
The illustrations are generally good (although everyone is white due to the age these were printed) and some are very beautiful. Overall, they really aid in helping hold the attention of younger children and bringing these well told stories to life.
I read this to my 6yo. Some of the stories were too long for one sitting. These are very well-done stories that make the Bible come alive. I saw no inaccuracies. The only reason I gave it a four is that I wish there had been even more emphasis on the faith of the early Bible heroes, more than their righteous lives. But it was very good.
I had this series as a child, and I am so glad I was gifted this first edition. The watercolor portraits are stunning and the language is both deep and meaningful, even for a child. I will also add that while this book was written in the 50’s-60’s, the messages still apply today.