Stories from the Bible CL

The prolific Waddell ( Farmer Duck ; Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? ) offers here his interpretation of 17 stories from the Old Testament. Many familiar heroes of the Scriptures appear--from Adam and Eve to Moses and Jonah--in these simplified, light-toned tales designed to be easily grasped by children. Historical points and secondary characters and subplots are often left out, but a clear theme--the affirming strength that comes from faith in God--emerges nonetheless. In a brief foreword, Waddell concedes that his versions are loosely adapted and encourages his audience to read this volume along with the Bible, not instead of it. Patterson's bright, flowing, acrylic paintings are of varying sizes, and each is individually framed with colored borders. The artwork breaks up the text nicely in the book's generally clean design, but does little to embellish or extend Waddell's tellings. By humanizing the characters and making them more accessible, Waddell makes it possible for kids--and other interested parties--to understand often difficult subject matter. Ages 8-up. (Aug.)