Tag: book note

Book Briefs: “My Pop-Up Bible Stories” by Juliet David

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

I’ve often wondered why Christian parents are so content to give colorful, captivating books about Disney characters and nursery rhymes to their children, when similar books promoting Bible stories seem to be overlooked. One reason might be how hard it is to find decent Christian books for kids. So often the books one does find are so petty and trite, that it seems pointless to spend more money for them. Instead the cheaper, secular books find their way into our homes.

While it might take a little more effort, collecting Christian resources for our kids is worth it. I’m as guilty as anyone when it comes to taking the easy way out on this. But more and more, there are an increasing number of good Christian books that we can get for our young ones.

Juliet David is a prolific childrens’ book writer and has produced a wide variety of books for little hands and hearts. I’ve reviewed her Candle Prayers for Toddlers book, previously. In My Pop-Up Bible Stories, she offers an engaging and well-produced book that is sure to interest one-three year olds, and their older siblings. Just about any pop-up book will fascinate kids of all ages, but they are so easy to break and tear. This book published by Kregel seems sturdy and durable enough to handle some abuse.

The stories that are included are simple. Baby Moses in his little ark, Daniel in the Lion’s den, Jarius’ daughter rising up when Jesus takes her hand, the shepherd looking for a lost sheep, and Jesus stopping the storm. There isn’t a lot of text included for the stories, but the Scripture references are shared. This approach allows parents to teach the story at the child’s level.

Daniel Haworth has provided engaging and colorful illustrations. My two year old and four year old girls are most interested in this book. While the message is not overtly Gospel-centered, it isn’t just a bunch of fluff either. The stories stick to Scripture but are told at a child’s level. This resource will be a helpful addition to our collection. I’m sure if you have little hands, something like this will come in handy. And there are some good deals on the book available at the links below.

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Christianbook.com, Amazon, or direct from Kregel.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Kregel Books. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.

Book Briefs: “The Best of The Reformed Journal” by James D. Bratt and Ronald A. Wells

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

The back cover of this handy book explains that The Reformed Journal “set the standard for top-notch, venturesome theological reflection on a broad range of issues.” Unfortunately, the journal was somewhat before my time: its print run spanning 1951 to 1990. This makes the anthology brought together by James D. Bratt and Ronald A. Wells all the more valuable. Wells was an editor of this journal at one point, and both of these men have a long history on the faculty at Calvin College, which published the journal.

The Best of The Reformed Journal collects poignant pieces from the history of the journal in an easy to browse collection, handily contained in a softcover volume. Arranged by topic and time period, the articles run the gamut from theology and politics, art and culture, to race and social concern. Cornelius Plantinga, Richard Mouw, Carl F. H. Henry, Mark Noll, George Marsden, Lewis Smedes, and Nicholas Wolterstorff are just some of the more well-known authors included in the collection.

These pages include reflections on Calvinism and democracy, the legacy of T.S. Eliot, reflections on the atomic bomb, commentary on the civil rights movement and Apartheid, and thoughts on pro-life issues and women’s liberation. Interesting article titles include “On Looking at Paintings”, “Common Grace versus Individualism”, “Navel Theology”, “Humanitarian Snobs?”, “Star Wars in Beulah Land”. The selections are usually abbreviated to be a page or two in length, sometimes more. And occasionally a series of articles that spans several Journal editions is found, such as the back and forth between Lewis Smedes, Carl F. H. Henry and Richard Mouw on “Evangelicalism and the Social Question”.

If you are looking for enlightened yet easy reading, or if you are up for a look back at how leading Christian thinkers were addressing the problems facing the last half of the 20th Century, then you should pick up this book. At the very least, it will stimulate your curiosity, and it may just add some context to the problems of today.

Pick up a copy of this book: ChristianBook.com, Amazon.com, or direct from the publisher.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Eerdmans Publishing Company. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.

Book Briefs: “The Promise of Heaven” by Randy Alcorn

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

As we approach Christmas, I wanted to highlight some books which would make good gift items. I realize I’m a bit late with this, & I’m late on my shopping, too! But some of you may be in possession of a gift card soon, and wondering what to spend it on… For other gift ideas, you may want to check a new category I’ve created called “ideal gift books“.

The Promise of Heaven: Reflections on Our Eternal Home by Randy Alcorn is an absolutely beautiful book. It is filled with full color, photographs of nature scenes from the West taken by professional nature photographer, John MacMurray.

As one pages through the book, they are struck by the beauty of God’s earth, and then Randy Alcorn fills their minds with thoughts of the New Earth to come. Answering a host of questions about heaven, the book is interesting, informative and delightful. Randy shares the Gospel clearly and encourages us to worship our Lord for the Earth we have, and our future “Heaven on Earth” to come.

The production of this book is top notch. While it isn’t quite a full coffee-table sized book, it deserves a spot on anyone’s coffee table. It would make a great gift for loved ones this Christmas. If someone you know likes Mountains and nature photography, they would absolutely love this fine book. I highly recommend this.

Preview this remarkable book here. And pick up a copy of this book from any of the following online retailers: Christianbook.com, Amazon, or direct from Harvest House.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Harvest House Publishers. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

About Book Briefs: With limited time available to give every book sent my way a full review, I’ll be offering short-form book reviews called Book Briefs. Book Briefs are book notes, or my impression and informed evaluation of a book, but they stop short of being a full book review.

Book Briefs: “Holy Bible, 1611 King James Version (Anniversary Edition)”

~ Bob Hayton

As we approach Christmas, I wanted to highlight some books which would make good gift items. I realize I’m a bit late with this, & I’m late on my shopping, too! But some of you may be in possession of a gift card soon, and wondering what to spend it on… For other gift ideas, you may want to check a new category I’ve created called “ideal gift books“.

I have always been fascinated by the history of the English Bible. I remember being astonished when I first learned that the original 1611 King James Bible had marginal notes referencing variant readings, the literal Greek and Hebrew, and offering alternative renderings. Then came the day I got my hands on a reprint of an original 1611 King James Bible: I devoured my copy and enjoyed every minute I spent looking at it.

If you are looking for a good gift for the studious, theology geek in your life (or for any pastor or Bible teacher, for that matter), a new mass-market reprint edition of the 1611 King James Bible from Zondervan is sure to please. This edition, published in honor of the 400th anniversary this year of the King James Version, has a soft feel to its hardcover which mimics both the look and feel of the original leather. This Bible is a more handy size at 8″ x 5.4″ than the original 12″ x 16″. It comes with the original typeset – Gothic letters for the main text, and Roman for what modern Bibles have in italics. And all 7,400 plus original marginal notes are also preserved. In addition, this edition includes what some of the other reprints leave out, namely the decorative genealogies and maps that precede the book of Genesis.

The big omission of this book, is the Apocrypha. I guess since the volume is already 2.6″ thick, they didn’t want to make it even more bulky. And most Protestant readers won’t miss it. Unfortunately there are some King James Only advocates who seem to be unaware that the original KJV contained the Apocrypha, and if they don’t look too closely, this edition may bolster their mistaken assumption.

That being said, the original maps, decorations and typeset, and all the strange archaisms — like “ye” for “the”, “f”s for “s”s, and the interchange of “i” and “j” and “u” and “v” — will absolutely delight the lover of old books. It also illustrates that almost no one today truly uses a 1611 King James Bible.

This Bible is inexpensively priced if you can still find it. Walmart was selling this over the summer for around $7.99. You can still pick up a copy of this book from the following online retailers: Amazon.com. You may also be interested in A Visual History of the King James Bible by Donald Brake, if this title has caught your eye.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Zondervan. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

About Book Briefs: With limited time available to give every book sent my way a full review, I’ll be offering short-form book reviews called Book Briefs. Book Briefs are book notes, or my impression and informed evaluation of a book, but they stop short of being a full book review.

Book Briefs: “Jungle Doctor’s Fables” by Paul White

~ Bob Hayton

Paul White was an Australian missionary to Africa who was only able to serve a few short years, due to his wife’s health problems. During his tie in Africa, he learned how to tell African fables to teach spiritual truths. The “Jungle Doctor” books came from this basic idea: clothing spiritual truth with a fascinating tale of life in Africa.

In The Jungle Doctor’s Fables series, illustrator Graham Wade provides detailed comic-like depictions of the stories in black and white. And the stories of animal’s escapades are told by Daudi, the missionary doctor’s friend and assistant. Daudi tells his tales to young Africans as he goes about his duties on the mission compound.

The stories are of mischievous monkeys, ferocious crocodiles, wise giraffes and a smattering of other animals as well. The animals learn lessons the hard way and the spiritual applications are made for the young readers who will pick up these books.

Written for kids age 5-11, I found that even my 3 year old was engaged with the tale. The books include Scripture verses and the moral of the story, and kids 7 and up should be able to read these books independently.

First written in the 1950s, this set of six books includes around 60 fables and has provided entertainment and instruction for Christian families the world over. These new reprints from Christian Focus for Kids, bring these classics in an attractive format for today’s families.

Pick up a copy of book #1 of The Jungle Doctor’s Fables from any of the following retailers: ChristianBook.com, Amazon.com, or direct from the publisher.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Christian Focus Publications. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

About Book Briefs: With limited time available to give every book sent my way a full review, I’ll be offering short-form book reviews called Book Briefs. Book Briefs are book notes, or my impression and informed evaluation of a book, but they stop short of being a full book review.