The Easter Storybook

The Easter Storybook

40 Bible Stories each perfectly illustrated to help young child, even adults take the journey from start to finish to discover the and learn about the events in the life of Jesus from the start beginning with Him in the temple at the age of 12 where we meet him for the first time. The final story focuses on how he returns to his Father in Heaven but in between there are many stories, numerous lessons to be learned and thought questions at the end of each story that can be used for family discussions, church groups, class discussions in religious schools as well as the illustrations helping young children that are just learning to read to tell the story and understand it from the illustrations.

There are 40 stories and each one has an interesting lesson and we learn about how Jesus walked on water, how he helped those that needed healing but one story that was truly compelling dealt with the banquet. The Great Banquet tells of how his servant asked different guests to attend this banquet filled with so much food and each one had another excuse. There are people that need food and would never have this experience and he invited those who truly loved and appreciated his kindness. Workers, ordinary people, people that were grateful and learned what their master was truly inside and could not think of enough words to thank him. The question at the end is one for discussion as we invite people over and maybe just once someone you would never think to ask.

There are many journeys the reader experiences and another one that I found compelling was The Kind Master. People are entitled to get paid for a days work and the unique way  that the master told his steward to pay his workers was quite interesting and unique. But the good and generous master gave each worked what he needed, and he showed grace to those who needed much more. With what is happening in our world today this story teaches everyone a lesson about understanding and helping those in need.

The colorful illustrations bring each story to life and even young children who are nonreaders can understand the messages just from the illustrations. There are so many interesting stories each one with its own message and theme. The one where Jesus walks on water, another where there is sacrifice and then when he is crucified, and his disciplines think he is gone is rises from the grave. Children can learn more about the life of Jesus, the impact he had on so many and the story that I loved the most  The Last Supper. Time to celebrate Passover. The history of the Jewish people is discussed and how they have been slaves in Egypt. The author talks about how  on the night of Passover God said to spread the lamb’s blood on their doorway, allowing death to “pass over,” that home. everyone inside a home was protected with blood and that same night the Pharaoh freed the Jewish slaves. There is much more to this story when you read the entire story The Last Supper. The question at the end will ask you How did Jesus show love to His friends and how does He show love to us?
The next story is about how and why he became a sacrifice and the final one is an Allegory titled. The Light which focuses on being free but how and why this man was free and what part the Messiah plays you must read for yourself. The book focuses on not only his final days and his resurrection but his journey from the age of 12 until Easter Morning. Every story is different, and each day one can be read by parents, teachers, church discussion groups or even between friends talking about what they learned and how they would respond to each question at the end of each story. Start with the Promise in the introduction and then read Isaiah 9-2-7 and then open your eyes and read the wonders you will encounter when you take your time and read one or two each night and then talk about them and enjoy reading The Easter Storybook by Laura Richie and Illustrated by Ian Dale.

Fran Lewis: Just reviews