The Jesus Storybook Bible-- Deluxe Edition By: Sally Lloyd-Jones- REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

I was so excited to find out that I was going to be receiving, from Zondervan Publishing, The Deluxe Edition, "The Jesus Storybook Bible- Every story whispers his name". .

The Deluxe Edition is a complete package of the reading on CDs and a read-along book. And, since we've put the girls to bed and down for naps with books on CDs since they were old enough to hold the book, I knew this set would be right up their alley. I must admit that when I received the book, just before Christmas, I set Emma up with the book and CD's and saved my reading with her for something that she couldn't do on her own.  However, when I picked the book up to review, I decided that it was something that we needed to read together. 

It is a nice bonus that the reader is David Suchet, one of Great Britain’s most distinguished actors, best known for playing Agatha Christie’s super-sleuth, Hercule Poirot.  Since Emma finds a British accent as one of the upmost pleasurable things in life (apparently all princesses have British accents), she was hooked upon hearing the first lines of the introduction.. 

Illustrated by award winning, Jago, the illustrations are whimsical interpretations that serve to help bring the stories alive.  While I know that illustrations are an important part of wrapping children into a book, personally, I am typically drawn to the words without paying much attention to the illustrations.  However, Jago's illustrations are so truly captivating and compliment the story so well,  that I found myself reading the story through the pictures before I even began reading the words. I also found myself flipping back through to admire his artwork (something I do very rarely).

Those elements alone are worth the cost of the book.  But, most surprisingly, I found the most beautiful description of the way that I want my children to view the Bible, right within the first pages of the book.

It's taken all of my will power not to write the whole introduction right here and now. But, please allow me to share just a couple of pieces in which Sally Lloyd-Jones seemed to have looked straight into my heart and somehow put the passion that I have for my children to know God as a loving and compassionate father into words that I had not yet found. 

Sally Lloyd-Jones writes:
"The Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what he has done."

"Now, some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn’t do. The Bible certainly does have some rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn’t mainly about you and what you should be doing. It’s about God and what he has done.

Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy. The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you’ll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren’t heroes at all. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose), they get afraid and run away. At times, they’re downright mean.

No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne–everything–to rescues the ones he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life".

Click the link to read a full text of the INTRODUCTION- I highly recommend that you do.  

I completely agree with Dr. Tim Keller's endorsement of the book below:

"I would urge not just families with young children to get this book, but every Christian--from pew warmers, to ministry leaders, seminarians and even theologians! Sally Lloyd-Jones has captured the heart of what it means to find Christ in all the scriptures, and has made clear even to little children that all God's revelation has been about Jesus from the beginning--a truth not all that commonly recognized even among the very learned." — Dr. Tim Keller, Redeemer, NY, NY

And best of all, Zondervan has given me a copy to give away to one lucky reader. So how to enter: Simply comment and recieve an entry. Post about the giveaway on your blog or facebook page or twitter about the giveaway and recieve five additional entries for each. The giveaway is open to residents within the US. Winner will be chosen by a random drawing made possible by www.random.com. And will be announced on Monday, March 15th.

Good Luck!

Blessings,
Dana