Reviewing The Early Reader's Bible

The Early Reader's Bible was a Bible we bought for Rose for her 6th birthday. Zondervan advertises the Bible for those who are 4-8 or in preschool up to third grade; however, I wouldn't recommend the Bible for seven or eight-year-olds who have strong reading skills.

Here are some of the many great features of the Bible:

• The 525 page Bible isn't big (6 x 7 inches or 16 x 18 centimeters) so little ones won't have trouble carrying it. 
• The pictures are colorful and are found throughout the book.
• The pictures of the crucifixion and people complaining or crying are age-appropriate. 
• The title of the 64 stories are big and bold and are based on standard American public school word lists. 
• A list of the stories, 250 basic words, and 230 new words are found in the back of the book.
• No more than five new words are used in any story, and usually, a smaller number is used. Words as simple as bread and paper and less common names such as Jairus and Onesimus are found on the new word list. 
• Each story ends with a "something to ask" section and a "something to do" section. Questions include: 

1. How did God make the bad water become good water?
2. Who did the shepherds see?
3. How can you show Jesus that you love Him?
4. What can you do for a friend when he hurts?

What do I not like?

• Only Scripture references and not actual Bible verses are provided under the titles.
• There isn't a whole lot of diversity amongst the people. Unfortunately, I've seen this problem in a few children's Bibles.

Despite the criticisms, I still think this Bible can help children know the Son of Man. I recommend having your child add some color (don't forget the freckles) to a few of the people and adding a NIrV Bible verse each time a story is read.

Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6