As a Christian parent, I can read books all day to my kids, but if I’m failing to read God’s word to them, what good am I really doing? I know I need this reminder to read our children’s Bibles with my kids even when our days get busy.
But with all of the children’s Bibles out there, sometimes finding a good one can seem overwhelming. So, here’s a list of five of our all-time favorite children’s Bibles (and a few more resources if you stick around till the end).
Five Favorite Children’s Bibles
1. The Jesus Storybook Bible 
by Sally Lloyd Jones–
If you don’t own a copy of this Bible, just stop what you are doing and order one now. Seriously. This is my all-time favorite children’s Bible. The stories are beautifully and skillfully told. And just like the name implies, every story points to Jesus. Even the Old Testament stories point to the promise of and need for a Savior. And instead of just telling each individual story, they are woven together so your child will see the Bible as one whole story, the story of God’s unfailing love for mankind.
2. The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm–
Like the Jesus Storybook Bible, The Big Picture Story Bible weaves God’s word into one big story about our sin, God’s love, and the need for a Savior. Unlike the Jesus Storybook Bible, this book is easily understood by younger kids with shorter attention spans. The stories are told simply with lots of pictures on each page. Kids as young as 3-4 could begin to understand this Bible.
3. The Early Reader’s Bible—
What I love about The Early Reader’s Bible is that your child can read it on their own as soon as they are in Level 2-3 readers. Imagine your child receiving their first Bible they can read by themselves! The Early Reader’s Bible also contains little devotional sections at the end of each chapter to engage your child with what they have read.
4. The Rhyme Bible 
by
If you read the Bible frequently with your child, sometimes it’s good to change things up. The Rhyme Bible will do just that! Hearing a Bible story in verse will help your child view it from a different angle. And, actually, much of the Old Testament was originally written in poetry. Even though it’s written in rhyme, don’t be fooled: this is a serious children’s Bible that takes care to be accurate in its details.
5. The Biggest Story by Kevin DeYoung–
If you are looking for a biblical overview with stunning illustrations, this is it. It’s shorter than the other overview Bibles, and though it’s broken into chapters, you could easily read it aloud in a single sitting. Did I mention the illustrations are amazing and really add to the text?
I’m on a roll, so let me tell you about a few bonus Bible resources to use with kids.
1. Free Audio Bible Stories–-Wouldn’t you love to have a grandmother come tell your children engaging, thought-provoking Bible stories? Here’s the next best thing. Your kids will love these beautifully told Bible stories. Did I mention you can download them for free? Click here to learn more.
2. What’s in the Bible was made by Veggie Tales’ creator Phil Vischer. It is a 13 DVD course in what the Bible is all about. And it’s hysterically funny. But, seriously, it goes deep: I even learned a few things from it. And laughed a lot. These are great to watch as a family. You can purchase individual DVDs of this series or subscribe to Jelly Telly for access to the whole series and much more.
3. Child Training Bible is a product created by my good friend, Mindy Dunn. She has a passion for training kids with scripture and has developed this amazing resource. Check out her site for more info.
What is your favorite children’s Bible or resource?
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My kids have mostly outgrown storybook Bibles, but my youngest (who just turned ten) still loves to pull out the The Jesus Storybook Bible. You are absolutely right–it is one of the best. The audio version, read by David Suchet, is moving and dramatic and makes a great companion to the book.
Our family favorites were probably The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos and Anne DeVries’ Story Bible for Young Children (out of print, but worth tracking down). Vos’ Story Bible is a lovely retelling of the Bible interwoven with basic, kid-friendly theology. DeVries’ Story Bible reminds me a little of the Jesus Storybook Bible in its conversational tone and the way it presents the Bible–not a book full of flat characters, but the vibrant story of real people in need of a savior. We also enjoyed Egermeier’s Bible Story Book, which has beautiful language and short chapters for little attention spans. 🙂
Ooo, I haven’t seen Anne DeVries’ Story Bible… I’ll have to look into it. Thanks! 🙂
By far the best children’s Bible we have is The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos for ages 5 and up. I have read it at least a dozen times cover to cover, and have not tired of it yet!
It is not flashy, but it beautiful literature, which I think is even more important. It was written in the 1935 by a grandmother who could not find any decent Bible story books to read her grandchildren. Amazing book!
That is a beautifully written one! I haven’t read the whole thing yet, but I’m looking forward to it! 🙂
You’re going to throw tomatoes at me!! I saw TWO of Sally Lloyd Jones’ Bibles at a local book sale last week and I hummed and harred, thinking “have I heard these recommended before or not?” and I could have got them for FREE and I LEFT them!! Kicking myself now! Oh well maybe they’ll still be there at the next book sale. (all children’s books are FREE at these sales)
Oh no!!! But I’m so jealous of your free book sales! I saw your last haul!!
Thanks for this list! Our favorites are “The Story Bible” from CPH (beautiful, realistic art with thoughtful questions, activities and prayers accompany each Bible story) and “A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories” by Arthur W. Gross (one reading level up from “The Early Reader’s Bible”).
Thanks for the recommendations, Amy! 🙂
I love these recommendations! I have the Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible and my boys love it, but they really love any storybook with their favorite Bible characters so I’d love to add some of these to my collection. Thanks!
Thanks for the recommendation! I hope you find some new favorites on this list. 🙂
We have the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook and I really like it! Just like book #1 on your list, even the Old Testament stories point to the need for a Savior.
Thanks for the recommendation, Trista! I haven’t looked at that one yet. 🙂