Children’s Story Bibles & Bible Stories
Out-of-print books may be found in libraries or the used book market. Both Amazon and BookFinder.com are helpful sources.
• = some of our favorites
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The Usborne Children’s Bible: A Collection of Bible Stories
Usborne Publishing Company, 1998, 2009
Ages four to ten
Beautiful, colorful illustrations; stories are short and easy to read and understand; includes 21 Old Testament and 23 New Testament storiesPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Spark Story Bible
Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2009
Quantity pricing from the publisher
Preschool, elementary age
Comprehensive story Bible with 150 stories (46 Old Testament and 104 New Testament); bright, colorful illustrations on each page; language is enagaging. Each story has an activity suggestion or thought question.Purchase from Augsburg Fortress
Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• A Family Treasury of Bible Stories: One for Each Week of the Year
Harry N. Abrams, 1997
New York, New York
This may be the most beautiful Bible story book I’ve ever seen. Each oversized double page spread has one story. Wonderful, carefully detailed full color illustrations help tell the stories, often with multiple scenes. Twenty-six selections each from the Old Testament and the New Testament cover “The Creation” to the “Return to Jerusalem” and “The Annunciation” to “The End of Time.” Stories are clear, easy-to-understand and true to Scripture.
This excellent introduction to the Bible will help bring it to life. The one story a week format is “doable” for most families. Parents may read it to young children, older children will read it themselves. This as much an art book as it is a Bible story book. Recommended for families with elementary age children.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Animal Tales: Favorite Stories from the Bible
Candle Books / Lion Hudson, 2006
Four stories about Jesus told with delightful, humorous illustrations, originally published as four books: The Magpie’s Story (Jesus and Zacchaeus), The Fox’s Story (Jesus is Born), The Mouse’s Story (Jesus and the Storm), and The Cat’s Story (Jesus at the Wedding).Purchase from amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Favorite Parables from the Bible: Stories Jesus Told
Zondervan Publishers, 2012
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Eight parables told with delightful, humorous illustrations; originally published as separate books: The House on the Rock, The Two Sons, The Lost Sheep, The Precious Pearl, The Little Gate, The Good Stranger, The Rich Farmer, and The Ten Silver Coins.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.ca
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• Animal Tales from the Bible: Four Favorite Stories About Jesus
Zondervan Publishers, 2012
Four stories about Jesus told with delightful, humorous illustrations, originally published as four books: The Magpie’s Story (Jesus and Zacchaeus), The Fox’s Story (Jesus is Born), The Mouse’s Story (Jesus and the Storm), and The Cat’s Story (Jesus at the Wedding). -
• Stories Jesus Told
Candle Books / Lion Hudson, 2005
Oxford, United Kingdom
Eight parables told with delightful, humorous illustrations; originally published as four separate books: The House on the Rock, The Two Sons, The Lost Sheep, The Precious Pearl, The Little Gate, The Good Stranger, The Rich Farmer, and The Ten Silver Coins. Available as individual books.Purchase from amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• The Bible: A people Listen to God
The Liturgical Press, 1995
Older elementary children
This large format book tells the full sweep of the biblical story in narrative form, clear and concise. Each section is divided into short accounts with clear titles serving as topic sentences. Very attractive illustrations. An excellent and accessible introduction to the Bible for anyone of any age.Purchase from
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• The Bible for Young Children
Eerdmans Books for Young People, 2010
Grand Rapids, Michigan & Cambridge, United Kingdom
Delightful first Bible story book—each double page has large print text on one side and full page illustration on the other. Easy to understand, engaging with outstanding illustrations. Originally published in France.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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The Miracles of Jesus
Holiday House / Puffin, 1987, 2008
New York, New York
Twelve miracle stores retold and illustrated by Tomie dePaola; all ages.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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My First Bible Stories
Grosset & Dunlap, 2010
New York, New York
Age 4 and up
Nicely illustrated board book with simple tellings: Creation, Noah and David and Goliath; raised figure on front coverPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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The Parables of Jesus
Holiday House, 1987
Seventeen parables retold and beautifully illustrated by Tomie dePaola; also available for Kindle.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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Tomie dePaola’s Book of Bible Stories: New International Version
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1990
New York, New York
The collection has 20 stories from the Old Testament and 17 from the New; the illustrations are the best part. Text appropriate for mid-to-older elementary children.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Miss Lea’s Bible Stories
Zagat Survey, 1994
New York, New York
Elementary age
These stories are best to read aloud, as they are told by a storyteller. Excellent for family reading time.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Sing A New Song: A Book of Psalms
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Carefully chosen phrases from the Psalms are retold in simple words illustrated with delicately detailed watercolors. Selections focus on God and the created world in its seasons. References are given for the text. This book is an effective introduction to the Psalms for young children. “The Lord is like a sun, shining on the universe.” “Let the earth be happy.” “You blessed the little seeds, springing above the soil.”Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• The Little Shepherd
Delacorte Press, 1991, 1995
Beautifully simple retelling of the 23rd Psalm, with soft watercolor illustrations.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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Who Counts? 100 Sheep, 10 Coins, and 2 Sons
Westminster John Knox, 2017
Louisville, Kentucky
Early elementary
Three of Jesus’ parables retold in contemporary settings; showing the parallels between the stories. Emphasis on counting, seeking, finding and becoming whole again.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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The Marvelous Mustard Seed
Flyaway Books, 2018
Louisville, Kentucky
The Parable of the Mustard Seed, retold and expanded in a diverse contemporary neighborhood. A helpful note for parents and teachers is included.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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The Family Story Bible
Wood Lake Books
Westminster John Knox Press, 1996
Louisville, Kentucky
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Comprehensive story Bible with 124 stories (58 from the Hebrew Scriptures and 66 from Christian Scriptures); easy-to-read storytelling style; soft watercolor-washed illustrationsPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Lectionary Story Bible Year C
Wood Lake Publishing Inc., 2009
Pages are color-coded to Church year seasons, making it easy to find the story for the week.
Year C has a combined Scripture Index, listing all stories keyed to each book.
Available as a single volume, or all three years forming a set.
This story Bible follows the Revised Common Lectionary with at least one, and sometimes more, stories for each Sunday. They are stories—not simplified translations. They are presented as complete stories, so there may be more than the exact lectionary reading. They bring imagination and passion with textual, historical and theological validity. Nicely illustrated, they are especially valuable for families to engage Sunday’s readings and for Christian formation related to the lectionary.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Lectionary Story Bible Year B
Wood Lake Publishing Inc., 2008
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Pages are color-coded to Church year seasons, making it easy to find the story for the week.
Scripture Index for the included stories.
Available as a single volume, or all three years forming a set.
This story Bible follows the Revised Common Lectionary with at least one, and sometimes more, stories for each Sunday. They are stories—not simplified translations. They are presented as complete stories, so there may be more than the exact lectionary reading. They bring imagination and passion with textual, historical and theological validity. Nicely illustrated, they are especially valuable for families to engage Sunday’s readings and for Christian formation related to the lectionary.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Lectionary Story Bible Year A
Wood Lake Publishing Inc., 2007
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Pages are color-coded to Church year seasons, making it easy to find the story for the week.
Lectionary index lists all readings & shows which ones are included.
Available as a single volume, or all three years forming a set.
This story Bible follows the Revised Common Lectionary with at least one, and sometimes more, stories for each Sunday. They are stories—not simplified translations. They are presented as complete stories, so there may be more than the exact lectionary reading. They bring imagination and passion with textual, historical and theological validity. Nicely illustrated, they are especially valuable for families to engage Sunday’s readings and for Christian formation related to the lectionary.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Jonah and the Big Fish
Pilgrim Press, 1982, 2002
Cleveland, Ohio
Stunning illustrations for Jonah’s story, told all the way through the bush that grew up and then withered.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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The Story of Creation
Dutton Children's Books, 1993
New York, New York
Award-winning illustrator pairs words from King James’ Genesis with detailed illustrations which portray the mystery and beauty of God’s creation.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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Best-Loved Parables: Stories Jesus Told
Augsburg Publishing House, 1999
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sixteen stories retold by the author, with illustrations that help interpret the stories.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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Tapestries: Stories of Women in the Bible
Little, Brown, 1998
New York, New York
Words and pictures together tell the stories of often little-known women, thirteen from the Old Testament and ten from the New.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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The Book of Jonah
Doubleday, 1985, 2000
New York, New York
Story is retold and illustrated with Peter Spier’s intricate, detailed illustrations.Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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• Children of God: Storybook Bible
HarperCollins
Zondervan, 2010
London, United Kingdom
Grand Rapids, Michigan USA
If you are looking for a children’s Bible, you can’t do better than this! 50 Bible stories retold for children, illustrated by 20 artists from around the world. Anyone who reads this Bible will know God loves them and how God wants people to live. Highly recommended. (Cover shown is UK edition)Purchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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Exodus
Oxford University Press, Oxford UK
Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1998
The story of Exodus told with beautiful, intricate illustrationsPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
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Joseph
Oxford University Press, Oxford UK
Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, 1997
Retelling of the story of Joseph with Brian Wildsmith’s amazing, detailed, beautiful illustrationsPurchase from amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca
Basic Books about St. Nicholas
Picture Books for Younger Children (and all ages)
Picture Books for Older Children
Books for Older Children
Saints Books for Adults
Saints Books for Children
Activity & Resource Books
Christmas Books with St. Nicholas
Related Books
Books in Other Languages
Children’s Books in Other Languages
Books for the Church Year and more
Church Year General Resource Books=
Advent, Christmas & Epiphany Resource Books
Lent, Easter & Pentecost Resource Books
Children’s BooksChurch Year & Holiday Cycle Books
Christmas Books
Spring & Easter Books
Story Bibles for Children
Children’s Books about God and Faith
Children’s Books of Prayer