Kids are curious about their world, right? Discovering new facts about interesting subjects can be a lot of fun, and it usually leads to new questions and wanting to learn more.
That’s how it is with Bible knowledge too. Kids have questions as they grow and learn—why questions and how questions and what-does-it-mean questions.
The Big Book of Bible Questions
written by Amy Parker and Doug Powell
illustrated by Annabel Tempest
published by Tyndale Kids (2020)
hardcover, 144 pages, 7.2 x 0.6 x 10.1 inches
In this book, an author-and-apologist writing team aims to help answer some of those questions while teasing kids back into the Bible for themselves.
The Q&A are presented in three parts:
God, Faith, and the Bible
Old Testament
New Testament
The OT and NT sections move through the Bible in Bible-book order. With more than one question and answer on some pages and only one on some two-page spreads, all told there are 79 different questions (yes, I counted).
For example:
Who made God? Where is God?
Why do people believe different things?
How did all of creation happen in six days?
Why didn’t Pharaoh recognize Moses?
What’s the difference between Noah’s ark and the ark of the covenant?
What does salvation mean?
Why didn’t Jesus heal everybody?
What is heaven like?
Kids will be drawn in by the conversational answers and mixed-media illustrations—a winning combination of pen-and-ink characters, classic paintings of biblical scenes, and photographs.
Doctrine affects the answers to some of the questions in the book, so parents might want to read through those with their child or discuss them as a family. (Whether for parents or the book’s child readers, I wish Scripture references had been included with the Q&As.)
That said, a satisfying book to put on your child’s summer reading list or add to your family’s Bible reference collection.
About These Reviews and Recommendations
My career as a children’s book editor, acquisitions editor, and editorial director greatly influences my response to books. I have high standards for text, illustration, book design, and the purpose of a book.
I understand too that parents, grandparents, and others who buy books want and need good value in the books you choose. Your book budget is not unlimited.
I’m not writing these reviews as hype or promotion for fellow author’s books. I do care about helping authors—after all, I am one. I understand the effort authors pour into every book and the hopes they have for each one. The books I recommend, however, I’m choosing because of the merit I see in the book, no other reason.
I want to point you to the best books more than I want to point out books I don’t like, so I won’t be writing negative reviews. If I can’t support a book, I just won’t write about it. At times, however, I may note details or features I would have changed in a book I otherwise recommend. This is to help you make your own decisions about what books are right for your family.