The Comic Book Bible

Name of Book:  The Comic Book Bible

Author:  Rob Suggs

Illustrator:  Rob Suggs and Christopher Gray

Publisher:  Barbour Publishing

ISBN:  9781602606852

Audience:  Ages 7 – 12

Summary:  Many of the great stories from the Bible – creation, Noah, Moses, David and Goliath, Birth of Christ, the Resurrection, Paul’s travels, and more – are re-told in an engaging and fun comic book format.

Literary elements at work in the story :  Since this book is the Bible in comic book form, the setting, characters, plot, theme – are we in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, or wandering in the wilderness with Jesus, or perhaps being shipwrecked with Paul – all change according to the story being told. Yet, even though they are different because they are being told in a comic book format, and were written and illustrated by the same people, the stories have a very cohesive feel to them. They flow well in both text and imagery and therefore, in my opinion, give the book a feeling of “wholeness”. The Bible, in my opinion, often feels disjointed, especially for young readers. By putting it in a reader friendly format, like a comic book, I think it helps the reader see how the stories flow into one another and that they are connected. The point of view for the book seems to be a combination of first and third person. The third person narrator uses scripture and interjections to move the reader from panel to panel and page to page, yet within each panel the story is told from the perspective of the characters themselves. The style of the book, in much the same way as the point of view, utilizes many different techniques to tell the story. First and foremost is the use of images and imagery – it is a comic book after all. In terms of the illustrations, they are more “juvenile”  or cartoonish in their rendering than say the more realistic (albeit gritty) illustrations in a graphic novel or the unique wide-eyed illustrations of Japanese Manga books. The cartoonish nature of the illustrations may contribute to the book being rated for a much younger audience than we would think. The book also uses voice in a very engaging way. Scripture can be very intimidating for young children and by using the more “folksy” and comfortable language and visuals of the comic book format the child tends to be less apprehensive as they learn the stories of our faith. “You can, after all, “read” them [a comic book] by only occasionally looking at the words.” (Children’s Books in Children’s Hands, p. 7)

(How) does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  While I wouldn’t say this book is close to being culturally diverse, there are a variety of skin tones as the illustrators attempt to portray a more realistic depiction of the people who populate the Bible. Comic books, and traditional literature like the Bible have a lot of villains and heroes, and the “villains” in this book like other comic books, tend to be drawn in a dramatic fashion. I find the idea of presenting the Bible in comic book format very thought provoking. Since many of the stories covered in this version are already very familiar to readers, it challenges us to re-imagine how the scene might look as well as face pre-conceived ideas and stereotypes we may have developed.

Theological conversation partners: The Comic Book Bible is very faithful to scripture and doesn’t favor the easy stories and shy away from the more difficult ones. Earlier I mentioned that the “villains”  in the Comic Book Bible are drawn in a dramatic fashion. It would have been very easy for this book to make a subliminal, or perhaps overt, statement to the children about how villains look. While there are a few stereotypes in the book I feel like they do an overall good job showing that “villains”, then and now, can be found in all races and creeds. The book also does an extremely good job of citing the scripture passages that each story comes from so that children, and adults can then read the same story in a traditional Bible. The Comic Book Bible would please John Calvin.  Nowhere in the Bible do they attempt to portray God. In every instance where a person encounters God, it is God’s voice that is heard and occasionally (when it is in keeping with scripture) God is portrayed in symbol – the wind, the burning bush, a dove – but nowhere do they attempt to represent God in an image. For those who have difficulty with gender specific language they will find God referred to in masculine terms and pronouns.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What is your favorite story in the Bible?
2. Did you like the way the Comic Book Bible told your favorite story?  Why or shy not?
3. Do you think this is a good way to share the Bible with other children?

This review was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Shasta Brown.

Children of God Storybook Bible

Name of Book:  Children of God Storybook Bible

Author:  Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Illustrator:  Various

Publisher:  Zondervan; ZonderKids

Audience:  Ages 3 and up

Summary:  This book is a paraphrase of 56 Bible stories. Each story is illustrated by an artist from around the world. Stories in the Bible Storybook include: Creation, Ruth, Naboth’s Vineyard, Christ’s birth, miracle stories, Transfiguration, Last Supper, Resurrection, Revelation, and many more. Stories are paraphrased by Tutu and each story ends with a prayer for the reader that relates to the theme and lesson of the story told.

Literary elements at work in the story:  This paraphrase storybook is told from a third person omniscient point of view. The book takes larger stories and breaks them down into shorter, personal adaptations appropriate for younger children and adults alike. Each story is set according to their original Biblical settings. The story plots have not been changed, although the stories have been greatly shortened.

The book shares valuable Biblical and theological themes, like: care for creation, forgiveness and repentance, love, Imago Dei, prayer, trusting God, Christian sacrifice, etc.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economic/ability make a difference to the story?  The storybook was purposely illustrated by 20 artists from around the world to create “the first truly global Bible for children.” All races, ethnicities, genders and abilities are portrayed in the book through the multi-cultural illustrations and through the author’s inclusive language. Each story is told from a third person perspective, but each story’s prayer is first person in order to invite the reader to participate in the story and into fellowship with God. The stories are labeled with headings inclusive of all people, regularly using the term “us” in theme descriptions. Children and adults alike will find a refreshing, new perspective on favorite and even not-so-well-known Bible stories.

Scripture:  Each story shares the corresponding Scriptural references for the reader. The storybook contains 24 Old Testament stories, 27 gospel stories and five additional New Testament stories to total 56 stories.

Theology:  While each story contains a unique theological theme, the overall theological tone of the storybook from the author is “we are all children of God.” The storybook is written as “the Gift of God’s love for children everywhere.” Readers are constantly told they are children of God and encouraged to live into that understanding through story and prayer.

Faith Talk Questions

1. Who does God say that you are?
2. What do you say to God when you speak to God in prayer?
3. What is your favorite Bible story? Why?
4. Did you see yourself or people who look like you in the Bible story pictures? Where?
5. What does it mean to be a child of God?
6. How does it feel to know that God loves you and says that you are special?

Review prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary alumna Katie Todd

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

Title:  The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

Author:  Sally Lloyd-Jones

Publisher: Zondervan, 2007

Illustrator: Jago

ISBN:   9780310708254

Intended Audience Age level:4-7; Reading level: Ages 9-12; 350 pp.

This, as the title implies, is a collection of interpreted Bible stories. Interpretation will be involved in any re-telling of a Bible story or in the selections we include or omit. Lloyd-Jones is clear about her interpretive stance.  She anchors her approach in the teaching of Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27) and unfolds the story of God’s secret rescue plan for his children from Genesis to Revelation.  It’s like a fairy tale, though a true one, or an adventure story with a young Hero from a far country, or a brave Prince, who rescues his beloved.  The result is the story of the Bible seen through a conservative, evangelical lens with a “once upon a time” quality.

After an introductory statement about what the Bible is (not rules, not heroic biography, but one big story of God’s love), she selects stories from the Old Testament to fit her purpose.  Each Old Testament story ends with anticipation.  After the tower of Babel: “People could never reach up to Heaven so Heaven would have to come down to them.  And one day it would.” Or at the conclusion of the sacrifice of Isaac: “Many years later another Son would climb another hill carrying wood on his back.”

The New Testament stories extend from the birth of Jesus through Pentecost, Paul, and Revelation with the theme of the secret rescue plan continued.  The story ends with “to be continued” and a reminder that saying “yes” to Jesus makes this story your story too. Through both testaments the phrase “Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love” is a constant refrain about God. On the whole this book breathes a warm desire to involve children in this story.

Lloyd-Jones is a gifted story teller (see The Tower of Babel, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, Naaman, the leper) but more important than words in a preschool picture book are the illustrations. Jago is a gifted artist. His simple, sprightly drawings enliven and enrich each story.  Every page is a full color spread with layout, words, and pictures making an engaging whole. One effective ploy is to turn the book horizontally and open it, thus doubling the page height. The tower of Babel stretches tall across two pages, a scheme repeated with Moses on the mountain, Goliath, Daniel in the lions’ den, the angels’ song, the storm on the Sea of Galilee, the resurrection.

To fit her interpretive purpose, the author condenses, expands, combines, omits, and adds non-biblical details.  In the story of the Garden of Eden, for example, the serpent is introduced as Satan, a fallen angel who wanted to be God; there’s another explanation of why the tree of knowledge was forbidden; the snake tempts Eve to doubt God’s love not question his command; God drives Adam and Eve from the garden for their own protection; and as Adam and Eve leave the garden God whispers a promise, “I will come to rescue you.”  There is almost more interpretation than narrative.

The Ten Commandments are condensed to a few words and called “Ten Ways to Be Perfect,” while the Lord’s Prayer is expanded to a full page. Christ’s agony in Gethsemane is eight paragraphs in contrast to the two verses in the gospels.  There’s no suggestion that the author’s imagination is involved in the extended, agonized prayer which is really a statement of substitutionary atonement.

Each story is interpreted as a type of Christ event, a foreshadowing of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.  It’s a thoroughly biblical approach, beginning with Jesus, himself, through Paul and the early church fathers, but one that should probably come later with children.   One of the first questions to ask about any scripture is, “What did the story say to the original audience?”  Typology tends to stifle the search for this answer and a collection of stories for children should be opening doors for future study.  Those who hear these stories, then in a few years read them for themselves in the Bible, may have trouble connecting the two.  The scripture references cover several chapters rather than verses and it’s difficult to compare stories with the Bible.

The age for which this book is recommended is four to seven.  Five to eight fits comprehension and attention span better.  Be aware that in selecting this book you are getting excellent art, some good story telling, and lots of interpretation.

Review prepared by guest blogger Virginia Thomas

Noah’s Ark

Name of Book: Noah’s Ark

Author: Peter Spier

Illustrator: Peter Spier

Publisher: Dragonfly Books

ISBN: 9780440406938

Audience: Ages: 4 – 10

Summary: Have you ever heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”?  Well, that’s just what this children’s picture book, Noah’s Ark is like. As the story begins, the only words on the page are; But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  As you turn each colorful page you will see no words, except Peter Spier’s translation of a Dutch poem at the beginning which guides you through the story; “High and long, Thick and strong, Wide and stark, Was the ark. Climb on board, said the Lord”. With that, a host of animals in all shapes and sizes parade across the colorful pages of this wonderfully illustrated picture book. The illustrations do an excellent job of portraying perspective. The ark is made to appear enormous. Yet there are some illustrations during the flood where the ark is clearly very small in the context of the huge ocean. There are lots of stories within the story. For example, the sequence where the dove is released several times before the last one brings back a sprig of leaves from dry land is quite interesting as is the promise for the future which is wonderfully captured by a gorgeous rainbow at the end.

Literary elements at work in the story:  The theme of the story is sequential thereby making it easy for the reader to tell what’s going on. The illustrations provide the nonverbal stories about Noah and the enormous task it was to build an ark, the difficulties of rounding up all the animals, the even greater challenges of taking care of them during the flood on the ark, and the process of returning to the land as the waters receded. By using only illustrations, the author allows for quite a bit of latitude as to how the story can be interpreted. Many wonderful discussions can be generated through the illustrations and based upon the age range of your audience.  This book would be appropriate to use with both children and adults.

Perspective on gender/race/culture/economic ability:  The story of Noah is universal and would therefore make this book appropriate for use with any audience.  The lack of words and detailed illustrations allows for vast interpretation and discussion.

Theological conversation partners: Genesis 6:1 – 9:17

Faith Talk Questions:

1.    Why did Noah find favor with God?

2.    Why did Noah put two of each animal in the ark?

3.    Why did God send the flood?

4.    Do you think people in Noah’s town thought he was crazy for building an ark?

Review prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Donna Fair

Love Is

Name of Book:   Love Is…

Author:   The Apostle Paul

Illustrator:   Wendy Anderson Halperin

Publisher :   Aladdin Paperbacks

Audience:    All ages

Summary:  The apostle Paul attempted to define the word “love” for the followers of Christ living in the Greek city of Corinth in 56 A.D.  This book weds gorgeous, contemporary illustrations to Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 13 (4 – 8a) reinforcing their essential message – that the love we express is best defined by our attitudes and actions.

Literary elements at work in the story:  This is a memorable, thought-provoking picture book.  The illustrations on each page are in a collage style with the right-hand side of the book illustrating the words of the text and the left-hand side showing the exact opposite.  It is worth taking time to analyze each of the point and counterpoint illustrations on each page.  This book proves the old adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability:   Diversity is the key word in the illustrations.  We see black people and white people, women and men, girls and boys, Oriental, African, Indian, and American people, poor people and rich people, old people and young people, people with service dogs and in wheelchairs, even dogs and pigs.  In short, all creatures that need love are represented in this book.

Scripture:  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  I Corinthians 13:2
Theology:  Faith, hope, and love will last; and the greatest of these is love.

Faith Talk Questions:  I would spend time looking closely at each set of pictures and tell the story that they depict from the standpoint of the text that is illustrated.  The images on each page provide five – ten short stories that are worth studying, interpreting, and telling.

Review prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Kelly Hames

Lesson Plans: Practicing Christianity with Children, Sessions 6 & 7

Union-PSCE will be closed tomorrow, Good Friday, and we are therefore posting the final two sessions in this series of lessons today.  Session 6 helps parents consider how to practice worship with children and session 7 demonstrates possibilities for Bible study with children.  A number of different children’s books are used in each of these sessions with parents.

We will post again beginning Monday, April 5.  May you all have a blessed and joyous Easter.

Bible Story Books Can Be Dangerous…..

….. if the illustrations limit the story; if the text, in an attempt to simplify, is inaccurate; if children don’t connect the story with the Bible; if too much interpretation is involved; if you stop with Bible story books and children never begin to use a “real” Bible.

If you understand this, then here are some suggestions about when and how you choose Bible story books for children. The best age for Bible story books is from original awareness of books (The Word and Picture series by Carol Wehrheim) through about 2nd grade (Tomie de Paola’s The Parables of Jesus). Beyond this age children,who are absorbing information like sponges, are ready for dictionaries, atlases, background information.

At this age some judicious editing of Biblical content is required. Stories of the patriarchs and matriarchs, Moses and the Exodus, Samuel and David, Jesus and the early church offer an introduction to names and events that children will be able to eventually see as one family story. Verses from Psalms are a very valuable introduction to praise and prayer.

It’s important that adult and child are to enjoy these books together. Don’t buy a book that you won’t enjoy sharing. Art styles are very important and should be varied. Discussing the pictures may be a valuable experience of learning. And children should connect the book with the Bible itself.

By 2nd grade the child should have his or her own Bible or, perhaps, several Bibles. The one read in worship should be available in the home. The Bible this child will be growing into should have cross references and maps. Properly chosen and enjoyed, Bible story books are preparation for a life time of hearing God’s Word.

Thanks to guest blogger Virginia Thomas, author of Children in the Worshipping Community and Children’s Literature for all God’s Children, who allowed us to repost a blog entry from the William Smith Morton Library blog.  This entry serves as an introduction to a review of several Bible story books that will be posted tomorrow.