Sunday, March 07, 2010

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

45 comments:

Thesauros said...

thank you. I think you just sold a book.

Stephanie said...

I would like to enter=)

Sara-Beth said...

It looks great! I'd love to see it if I don't win.

Here is my comment for 1 entry, and I blogged about it!

Meghan Jones said...

That sounds wonderful! I've actually have been trying to look for something along those lines!

Alissa Stacy said...

What a GREAT give away! Trying to teach your children about the bible in a way for them to understand seems like such a task. Corey and I have discussed many methods of introducing the bible to Kerhia and after seeing your post on this I think it is a great way! I will get busy now posting this on my facebook & blog for you!
Thanks!

Emily Welch said...

Sounds great! I would love to have one.

Katelyn said...

Hey Dana, love your post, as always. Here's my comment for one entry and I already posted about it on FB so that's some more.
Thanks!

Hyperactive Lu said...

I love it! If I don't win, I'd love to look at yours to see if we would want to buy it...we need a good childrens Bible,

Meredith said...

Would love to win this! I'll post it on my facebook, too. :)

Meredith York

Elizabeth said...

I want this for my grandbabies!! I wish I had it for my own children... there have been many forms of the bible out there but just the introduction makes even me want to keep reading... thanks Dana !!

Melissa and Chad said...

Sounds like a great book! I too, like Sara-Beth, have not found a children's version that I really love!

Jocelyn said...

We love this Bible! I would love to have the deluxe edition to pass on as a gift. It is a great way to present salvation.

nate downey said...

Great contest for a wonderful book! Please sign me up for the contest. I also posted this on Twitter and Facebook. Thanks!

Jago said...

Hello!

I'm Jago, the illustrator of The Jesus Storybook Bible and I just thought I'd drop in and say thanks for your lovely comments about my illustrations.

I'm glad you're enjoying the book

Jago

http://www.jagoillustration.com

Dallass said...

What a great book to give away! I'll be putting the word out on Facebook and Twitter.

Shea Geisbert said...

Oh I do love this Bible! We received one a few years back and we've literally loved it to pieces :)
I'll be posting this giveaway on facebook.
Thanks!

Lynn Ellis said...

This looks great! I would love to give this to the granddaughter who doesn't have one yet. I've posted the link on my facebook too. Thanks.

Holly-- The Storm Chaser said...

count me in!

Unknown said...

add me to the list - posting on Facebook & Twitter, too!

knittingmama said...

what a great sounding book, saw this on a friends facebook post today, so here's a comment and off to post on facebook

Christy said...

I will post on my Blogspot and Facebook Page. Thank ya!

Shannon QUALLS said...

I love this book! I've been wanting to get the Deluxe Edition since I found out about it. It's my son's favorite book!

Johnny said...

love this Bible. I am reading it as my nightly reading...and its ministering to my soul!

JF

Raye Ann said...

I am already in love with it. I have a little ones birthday coming up. This would make a great gift.
Blessings

Katrina said...

what a great giveaway


ykatrina at hotmail dot com

Haley said...

I'd love to win this! My daughter is about to turn one and I'd especially love the audio CDs for her.

Kristie said...

This would be wonderful to read to my kids each night! Thanks for the chance to win!

khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Tracysweetangl said...

Thank you for this great giveaway! the kids would love this!!

SWEETANGL5632@AOL.COM

Winning Readings said...

I'd love to share this with my daughter!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/03/jesus-storybook-bible.html

Annette W. said...

I would love to win this! I have heard awesome things about it, and love how it weaves the truth of Jesus from the beginning of Creation.
derekannette at gmail dot com

Ms. Candice said...

Awesome, I have been wanting a copy to share with my two sons! They are 2 and 5, so the CD's would be an amazing addition! :)

onlycancan ta hotmail tod com

Ticia said...

I've been drooling over this for a while. It looks so cooL!

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings,
Would love to win this for my soon to be born first grandchild. I posted this on my twitter page http://twitter.com/wandatelaine
Thanks,
Trinity Rose
wandaelaine[at]gmail[dot]com

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Amy B. said...

This looks like a great book to share with my family
Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy B.
adennispac@yahoo.com

annies home said...

would love to have this for my lil princess
shopannies@Yahoo.com

BookMarc Blogpants said...

My daughter would love this. Who knows, I might learn a thing or two also. Excellent giveaway.

mckelly74(at)gmail(dot)com

BookMarc Blogpants said...

I have tweeted about this giveaway right here:

http://twitter.com/MarcinMD/statuses/10487762274

Entry #1 for tweeting.

mckelly74(at)gmail(dot)com

Kristy said...

Lucky #39?

Laura said...

I'd love to win it!!

AND I blogged about it, and put it on my facebook page!

Unknown said...

Looks like something wonderful for my children!!

Unknown said...

Looks great!!

jabeth2 said...

I would love to enter and hopefully win this book for Jackson!

jabeth2 said...

I may leave like 3 comments on here but I'm not sure its working so if so I am sorry!

Lisa R said...

This is a great giveaway for a young child

sibabe64 at ptd dot net