Book Review : The Biggest Story Bible Storybook

By James Jeffery

Over the past month and a half, I have been reading The Biggest Story Bible Storybook to my two kids (aged 2 and 3).  While they are probably a bit young (I would recommend it for children aged 5 and older), they have enjoyed the illustrations and stories contained within. Every story is God-glorifying, and shows children that the Bible is one story that points to what God has done for us in Christ. 

It is worth mentioning that The Biggest Story Bible Storybook is part of a larger series of material produced by Presbyterian pastor and professor Kevin DeYoung, and award-winning artist Don Clark. If you are interested in the additional resources, including videos, lesson plans, and posters, click here.

In the preface to parents, DeYoung offers a word of caution and encouragement to parents:

‘The first thing to note about this book is that it is a storybook about the Bible, but it is not the Bible. Although I’ve tried hard not to take creative license with the text of Scripture, I’ve not simply repeated it either. What you have in this book is our theologically minded and redemptively focused interpretation of the main stories in the Bible. I’d like to think it is a true and faithful interpretation (in words and in pictures), but it is not the inspired, unerring word of God. If you have to choose between reading the Bible or reading this book, by all means read the Bible.”

That is to say, The Biggest Story Bible Storybook was intended by DeYoung to assist children in understanding the Word of God, not to be a replacement for Bible reading with your children. With this caveat aside, I highly recommend this resource as a tool you can use to help communicate the truths of Scripture in language your children will understand. 

This story Bible is Christ-centred, which means that every story (104 in total, two for each week of the year) points children to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The prayer at the end of each lesson call children to repentance and faith, with the ultimate goal that they would see the glorious grace of God in Christ. It is difficult to find children’s resources that maintain these two sides of the theological coin. 

I heard it once said that the way to tell whether a kid’s movie is good or not is to consider whether parents are entertained along with their children. I found this to be the case with this story Bible. DeYoung has a good sense of humour, which comes out from time to time. For instance, if you read the story of Abraham as the Father of Nations below, you will see what I mean. This makes it enjoyable and humorous for parents to read along with children. 

All-in-all, I believe that The Biggest Story Bible Storybook is an excellent resource for every Christian family. It is most suitable for children aged 5 and older, though kids younger will still enjoy looking at the pictures (if your kids are anything like mine!).

If you are looking for an equivalent book that is suitable for younger children, I would highly recommend The Biggest Story ABC written by the same authors. Why not kill two birds with one stone and teach your children the gospel as you walk them through the ABCs?

**I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.**