BRICK BUILDERS Illustrated Bible Review & Giveaway

Zonderkidz sent the BRICK BUILDERS Illustrated Bible for me to review and to give away to one of my blog readers. It will not hit the store shelves until December, so you could win a copy before everyone else gets one!

Apparently, faith-based toy brick–building books are hot items. NIrV Faith Builders Bible and Building Faith Brick by Brick: An Imaginative Way to Explore the Bible with Children are two more examples.

However, today, we’re reviewing the BRICK BUILDERS Illustrated Bible . Within its 224 pages, there is a retelling of thirty-five stories taken from the Bible.

At the end of each story, there is a “Building Block” section which contains a two- or three-sentence summary of the story. This is followed by a call-to-action.

Did God Really Say

Actual text from the Bible is not used. The author paraphrases the stories for a younger audience. The only hesitation I have with this book is with the retelling of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit. The title of the chapter is “The Juicy Red Fruit.”

The author writes,

“God told Adam and Eve they could enjoy everything and eat anything in the garden except the juicy red fruit that grew from the Tree of Knowledge. But Eve did not listen to God.”

The book is advertised for ages 6 – 10, who are old enough to know if that’s what God really said. It’s one thing for the illustrator to guess at what the fruit’s color may have been. But it’s a different thing to state, “God said…”

Most will think this is trivial, but I think we must take the utmost care of what we say God says, especially in nonfiction books.

The other stories in this book are also paraphrased, but they stay in close alignment with the text of the Holy Bible. The stories mention sin, our need for God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, His love, crucifixion, resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and more.

The Illustrations

The illustrator of the BRICK BUILDERS Illustrated Bible does a superb job making the building bricks and people figures appear multi-dimensional.

Children will enjoy the bright colors in the full-color illustrations on every page. Some of the same people figures are used repeatedly in crowd scenes, but young children will not mind.

Interestingly, most of the men are wearing pants instead of robes. I find it a little humorous how Jesus is always wearing his white pantsuit and looking a great deal like Tony Orlando! I know you’re wishing I had posted a photo of Jesus, but you’ll have to get the book and check it out yourself!

In addition, the computer graphics make use of various colors, shadows, and textures which make the pictures interesting.

You may wonder if the toy figures are too stiff to tell a story. The characters’ bodies may have limited motion, but the illustrator conveys much through a degree of facial expressions. Another thing to note is the inclusion of various skin tones.

Wrap- Up and Giveaway

Aside from the embellishment in the Garden of Eden story, I like this book.

I believe we can use all Bible storybooks as an educational tool. If your children are old enough, ask them to compare the story they’re reading to the corresponding passage in a complete version of the Holy Bible. That’s a good habit to instill no matter what faith-based book we read.

Kids who get a kick out of building bricks will enjoy the BRICK BUILDERS Illustrated Bible.

If you would like your name in the drawing to win this book, all you have to do is leave a comment below. I’ll put all commenters’ names in a hat and draw a winner on November 25, 2018.

One idea for the comments section: What was one of your favorite Bible stories when you were a child? What about it appealed to you?

I remember repeatedly asking my mother to read to me the story of about King Solomon determining which woman was the true mother of an infant. I don’t know which drew me to that story more–the wisdom of Solomon, or the great, sacrificial love of the mother.

(The publisher sent me this book for my honest review.)

Congratulations, Heather D. of Indiana! You won the book! I’ll be in touch soon to find out where I should mail it.

(I was delighted when Heather messaged me about how excited her daughter was about the book. She said I could share this precious photo with you!)

Clicking on the title below will take you to ChristianBooks. com where you’ll find more info about the intriguing Brick Builders Bible.

Brick Builders Illustrated Bible By Emily Dammer / Zondervan Engage children with the Word of God as brick-by-brick they build a sure foundation! Features 35 stories that come to life with bold, colorful illustrations—from creation, Noah’s ark, and David and Goliath, to the birth of Jesus and Christ walking on water. Includes “Building Block” takeaways for kids ages 6 to 10. 224 pages, hardcover from Zonderkidz.

As a freelance writer, Sally Matheny’s writing is published in worldwide, national, regional, online and print publications including Appleseeds, Clubhouse Jr., Homeschooling Today, and The Old Schoolhouse. As a blogger and speaker, Sally encourages parents and grandparents to live victorious and to  tell the next generation wondrous things. Connect with her on several social media sites, but her favorite hangouts are at SallyMatheny.com and Pinterest.