Children's Bibles: Demystified

What is the Bible?

Why get a children's Bible?

What's the difference between a children' s Bible and a Bible storybook?

What children's Bible or Bible storybook is right for the child(ren) in my life?

This depends on a lot of things. What are you hoping the child will get out of having a children's Bible? If you are hoping they will use it in their Sunday school classes or take it to worship with them, ask your pastor and/or children's minister what translation of the Bible they are using. Then, you can prioritize finding a Bible that uses the same translation of Scripture. If you are hoping they will use it in their personal study time, find one at an appropriate reading level for them (where they are now with room to grow!) I LOVE the Common English Bible because that uses an 8th grade reading level. Additionally, some children's Bibles have reflection questions, stories and questions and prayers written by children and children's ministers, and sidebars that help kids understand the historical and sociopolitical context of the times in which the Bible was written.

Which translation should I get?

How should the child(ren) in my life treat the Bible?

Well, it is an important tool Christians use to discern God's love and creativity in the world...in other words, it's kinda important. But it is a physical object, so it will sustain some wear and tear over time. In my opinion, there's no need to treat the Bible as if it's a precious ornament. And we definitely shouldn't keep it on a pedestal (literally OR figuratively). The Bible is a compilation of people's experiences of God as they went through their lives thousands of years ago in many different places around the Middle East and Mediterranean. The Bible is not God. So, remember, the owner of this Bible will be a child, so let them use the book. If they want to keep it by their bed or carry it in their backpack or highlight favorite verses or scribble questions or comments or sermon bits in the margins, so be it. All Christians over the past two thousand years have encountered the Biblical stories and made them their own...and this child will do that, too.

How should I give the child(ren) in my life the Bible?

Bibles are often given during church rituals, like baptism or confirmation. Sometimes children will receive different Bibles as they grow as milestones. My church gave Deep Blue Kids Bibles to all children between the ages of 5 and 12 a couple years ago, after being out of the habit of gifting Bibles for a while, and then the youth received CEB Student Bibles. High school graduates received regular CEB Study Bibles on our Graduate Recognition Sunday.

If you are going to do the giving ritually, consider addressing it personally to the child receiving it. Rev. Sarah Nave Fisher suggests inviting the pastor, youth minister, family members and other mentors to mark favorite verses and comment on why those are important to them. I love this idea! This practice illustrates so well the Bible as something that has various meanings for different people at different points in their lives, and also offers an opportunity to learn what is meaningful for someone the child respects.

Ok, so here's what you're probably waiting for: reviews.

0-2 years

3-5 years

Children of God Storybook Bible, Desmond Tutu

5-8 years

Deep Blue Kids Bible (CEB)

Growing in God's Love: A Storybook Bible (John Knox 2018)

8-12 years

Spark Bible (NRSV)

Teens

CEB Student Bible