In this occasional series of posts, I recommend resources for you and your family in 100 words or less. More detailed reviews may come later.
Beaut
iful, traditional language. The Bible, slightly edited–not a book of paraphrased Bible stories. Artwork inspired by the masters. Perfect for narrations. Large, durable format. Nothing inappropriate for kids. The best children’s Bible I’ve seen–and I’ve seen a lot! A classic. Great Christmas gift for your grandkids or godchild.
Two criticisms: 1) Blond-haired Jesus. I view this as inculturation. 2) Follows the Protestant canon. You’ll have to supplement for the seven missing books.
Connie Rossini
Read other posts in this series: Time for God
Gina
I clicked on the “inculturation” link. That was a very interesting piece on inculturation.
Beg, borrow, or steal buy: Time for God by Jacques Philippe | Contemplative Homeschool
[…] Read other posts in this series: Golden Children’s Bible […]
Matthew 16 and the papal conclave for kids | Contemplative Homeschool
[…] aloud Matthew 16:14-20 from a good children’s Bible. I prefer The Golden Children’s Bible. Have your children narrate the story back to you in their own words, one at a time. Kids 10 and […]
3 reasons I love Catholicism: Truth, goodness, and beauty | Contemplative Homeschool
[…] The stories also appeal to the imagination. Using a Bible with great illustrations (such as The Golden Children’s Bible) also appeals to the imagination. And of course, the Bible is full of […]
The power of stories | Contemplative Homeschool
[…] gleaned from her and began implementing a Faith-based curriculum. My boys and I read a story from The Golden Children’s Bible, then I flesh the story out into a unit covering as many subjects as I can. And always, there are […]
Tamara
I am looking into a Children’s Bible for our homeschool. I remembered that you posted a recommendation last fall, but didn’t remember which Bible you wrote about. So, anyway, here I am checking back to see what I should get… and I’m wondering. Do you recommend this Golden Children’s Bible over the Fr. Lovasik Catholic Picture Bible? I really do want a children’s BIBLE, not paraphrased stories… I actually haven’t seen any myself, but had the Fr. Lovasik recommended to me elsewhere. Your thoughts?
Connie Rossini
Hi, Tamara. I looked at Fr. Lovasik’s Bible a few years ago and didn’t like it as well. In general, his books are really good. I think it was more of a paraphrase of the text. I really like my kids to hear the biblical language, similar to what they would hear in Church (and often times more beautiful than the current translation we use at Mass). I have 3 or 4 other children’s Bibles for middle grades (from 1st Communion’s, etc.) and none of them come close to the Golden Children’s Bible, in my opinion.
Tamara
Thanks Connie! That really helps. I also want my children to hear the biblical language. I will be ordering the Golden Children’s Bible today!
Learning typology with Daniel in the lions' den - Contemplative Homeschool
[…] Chose the Bible that is right for your child’s level and your personal preferences. We use The Golden Children’s Bible for all our lessons for the reasons I mention in the linked […]
Kim
Thank you so much for mentioning the Golden Children’s Bible on the Curriculum Choice blog in regards to the NIV Discoverer’s Bible. It reminded me that I had an old copy in a cedar chest. 🙂
We received a Discoverer’s Bible last fall (2015) with our Sonlight curriculum. I was happy with it at first. Nice pictures and charts. Language much more child friendly than my 1970’s NIV Children’s Bible.
But I am so thankful that I was having my then 7 year old read passages aloud. The language is simpler, but yet not altogether appropriate. This Bible is recommended for 6-10 year olds. I don’t feel that the word “raped” is necessary for young children in Joseph’s story. Nor do they need to be reading the phrase “had sex with” every time a man is with a woman.
So we switched to the 1970’s version that uses more difficult but much milder language. I may have to go sit in the bookstore and flip through every children’s version they have. If anyone has any Bible suggestions, I’d appreciate them!
Connie Rossini
Yeah, a definite benefit of the “archaic” language is that kids don’t understand the adult parts! The Joseph story is always a hard one with kids. I agree that they don’t need to hear about rape.