Saturday, July 28, 2007

My New Favorite Kid's Book

I have been anticipating 2 deliveries for the past week and a half. The first one was my order from SonLight Curriculum, with some preschool books. I am starting Elijah in "Homeschool Preschool" this fall, on a very limited basis. It really is more for my benefit than for his! I want to teach him to sit still and to pay attention, but also I want to convince myself that I can do this! Even as shortly as a year ago, if asked if I would homeschool my answer would always have been "Dan wants us to, but I'm not so sure." Over the past year, however, I have had some great conversations with homeschooling moms and seen some great curriculum, along with God's work in my own heart concerning my selfishness, and I have turned 180 degrees! Now I am excited about the possibilities and anxious to try it out. I'll have to keep you all posted on how it goes, though. I might be back to where I started in a couple of months!

Ok, back to the original thought . . . My much-anticipated deliveries. SonLight suggests a daily Bible for their curriculum, but I had heard so much about another kid's Bible, that I decided to get that one. I ordered 2 kid's Bibles from Amazon and just got them on Thursday. They are the Jesus Storybook Bible and The Big Picture Story Bible. I love them both!

First of all, the theology of both is specific, not just a general retelling of Bible stories. Both tackle tying the OT stories to God's overall plan for the world. They explain the sin in the Garden of Eden not just as simple disobedience, but Adam and Eve thinking that there was more to life than God. That maybe God wasn't as good as He said He was. That's just one example of how they handle an OT story. I could go on for pages and pages, but I won't. I will just tell you that these 2 books are the best kid's Bibles I have ever seen (and we have a few already!). In fact, I think it is going to be a staple shower gift for all my friends who are having babies!



If you don't want to buy 2 new kid's Bibles, I would suggest going with The Jesus Storybook Bible. Although I love both, the Jesus Storybook Bible is a bit smaller, easier for kids to navigate and the pictures are wonderful! But don't mistake my recommendation as saying it is "better" than the Big Picture Story Bible. They are both great and every library could benefit from both!

3 comments:

PinkAngel said...

That's funny, Donette! We just bought both those books for our kids and I'm also checking into that Sonlight preschool curriculum for Brayden to begin this fall! I do not plan to homeschool, but am excited to start working with structured materials at home. Let me know how it goes for you guys!

Gretchen said...

OOOOOH! Nettie! I am totally with you! I love those both, too, but I like Jesus Storybook better.

I love being on the same wavelength with you!

Name: Karen said...

We LOVE the "Big Picture Bible"

Hats of to you@ for your looking into the deep and delightfully rich world of Homeschooling. I was one of those young moms who said
"I will NEVER homeschool"

That is now going on her 4th year with 4 grades! K, 3rd, 5th and 7th
grade.

I will be your cheerleader! I will do my best to encourage you--especially on those frustrating days where you say...
"What the heck' am I doing"

I will share that I've been there...and then I can share how God has used someone who swore up and down that I'd never do this. One who God has given such a desire and delight in schooling my kids. Up front...there will be many tough days...especially while you have little ones! But God will give you the grace you need to handle all the kiddos bring you--and they will learn and be more content than they could be anywhere else--they are made to be raised by YOU--not a school system.
(just my 2 cents)

Once they are older...check out www.tapestryofgrace.com

Like 2nd/3rd grade on. It's amazing. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have or forward you info I collected while researching it myself!

Hugs!
Karen