The Bible Storybook: Ten Tales from the Old and New Testaments

Ten well-known stories from the Old and New Testaments are retold here for young readers. With simple language and sentence structure, Adams relates the primary plots of biblical passages starring such figures as David and Goliath, Noah, and Jonah. Children will enjoy the highlighted action as well as the occasional dollops of humor. However, in making the Bible more accessible, Adams has diluted the awe and reverence that pervade the original literature (``God promised Noah that he would never send another flood to destroy the world. And when God makes a promise, he keeps it''). Utton's chipper and frequently funny watercolor spots keep the mood light and the pace lively. In the end, this pleasant illustrated volume succeeds as a tool for broadening the audience for religious-themed text and for instructing children about the main points of the Bible. Ages 6-10. (Feb.)