The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible: Over 40 Stories of God's Power and Presence
Author: Doris Wynbeek Rikkers
Illustrated by Fernando Juarez
Publisher: Zonderkids
ISBN-13: 978-0310749738
Hardcover: 312 pages
About the book:
The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible brings to life more than 40 Bible stories that help readers understand that God’s Spirit has been with us since the beginning of time and continues to be with us today. From the glory of creation through the powerful letters of Paul, God’s Spirit is living in his people. Old and New Testament stories such as Adam and Eve, Abraham, Joseph, the Baptism of Jesus, and Pentecost come alive with dramatic illustrations by Fernando Juarez and moving text by Doris Rikkers. With a cover that sparkles and shines with foil, this is a special storybook Bible that will appeal to both children and parents alike.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.
About the author and illustrator:
Doris Wynbeek Rikkers is a freelance writer and editor who has written many bestselling children’s books and Bibles. Although she loves the ocean, she lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, surrounded by her books, her flower gardens, and her family and friends.
Spanish artist Fernando Juarez illustrates children’s books and also works as an art supervisor at the Madrid studio Ilion Animation. The company produces 3D feature films for children. Fernando has three kids himself, and if he has any time left after work and family, you might catch him playing guitar in a rock band.
My Thoughts:
This book is beautifully illustrated and most definitely will grab your child's attention. I was taken by the artist's style and enjoyed looking at all the artwork throughout the book. Because of the artwork, I was sure I was going to love this Bible story book. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
My concern started with the first story: the creation. The author's first sentence states: "In the beginning, there was nothing but darkness ... and God." The first thing that popped into my head was, "Why would God live in darkness?" Darkness has always had a bad/evil connotation to it. This has a totally different feel to it than how my Bible starts out: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Gen. 1:1 KJV).
As the first chapter progressed on, I got the feeling the author does not believe the creation takes place in six days. " The seasons changed and seeds scattered and grew into plants." Then man was made." From what I take from this, man was made at least a year after to go through the life cycle of a plant.
I have other concerns as well - but won't go into them. It sounds quite picky - since this is only a child's book, but children are like sponges. They absorb so much more than we think they do. We need to feed them the correct information from the beginning. If that information doesn't exactly match what you believe, don't use it. If you do, you will only cause confusion later. Children learn and don't forget easily and so hard to correct later.
Although beautifully illustrated, this book is not something I'd use for my family.
Would you like to win your own copy of
The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible?
The prize pack includes a copy of:
Spirit of God Illustrated Bible
Adventure Bible Book of Daring Deeds and Epic Creations
NIV Kids Visual Study Bible
Explorer's Bible Guide
Words to Love By
Love Letters from God
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.
