At first glance, “The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden” reminded me of “The Jesus Storybook Bible,” another family favorite. Both books have beautiful illustrations and share how the Bible is one continuous, true story.
“The Biggest Story” targets children ages 5-11 years old. Younger kids will probably want someone older to read the book with them. At least that’s what happened at my house. My 8-year-old daughter read this book to my 5-year-old son and then Cate read it more on her own. I asked her what the book taught her about the Bible and she said, “It showed me how all the stories go together.”
That’s exactly right.
We tend to teach children about Bible stories as if they’re individual characters. Adam and Eve started with this. Moses led some people. God asked Jonah to go somewhere else. And then there are these disciples. And Paul has a dramatic conversion. But the people and places of the Bible are intertwined in what truly is The Biggest Story. It’s a story with a beginning, an ending, and so much hope.
“The Snake Crusher is coming back again to wipe away all the bad guys and wipe away every tear. He’s coming to make a new beginning and to finish what he started. He’s coming to give us the home we once had and might have forgotten that we lost. So keep waiting for him. Keep believing in him. Keep trusting that the story isn’t over yet. God’s promises never fail and the Promised One never disappoints.”
{From “The Biggest Story,” page 123}
This book is beautiful and true. It tells the most important story I want my kids to understand. I’ve read it without my kids around and I’m guessing I will many more times – which speaks volumes for a children’s book.
ABOUT THE BOOK :: In “The Biggest Story,” Kevin DeYoung – a best-selling author and father of six – leads kids and parents alike on an exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cross to the new heave and new earth. With powerful illustrations by award-winning artist Don Clark, this imaginative retelling of the Bible's core message – how the Snake Crusher brings us back to the garden – will draw children into the biblical story, teaching them that God's promises are even bigger and better than we think. Hardcover; 132 pages; published by Crossway on Aug. 31, 2015. Learn more about it at the book’s official website or buy it at Amazon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :: Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan. He blogs at the Gospel Coalition and has authored or coauthored numerous well-known books, including “Just Do Something,” “The Hole in Our Holiness,” “Crazy Busy,” and “Taking God At His Word.” He lives with his wife and their six children in Central Michigan.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR :: Don Clark is an artist and the cofounder of Invisible Creature, a widely respected and award-winning design studio in Seattle that has worked with clients such as Target, Nike, LEGO, and WIRED magazine. He lives with his wife and their three children, four goats, 12 chickens, and one crazy dog on a farm just outside the city limits.
GIVEAWAY :: Open to U.S. and Canadian residents, just leave a comment below – tell me why you want to win, share with whom you’d like to read this book, or just say hi. I’m also always accepting book suggestions for my kids and myself, so feel free to toss some of those my way. A winner will be randomly chosen Tuesday, Sept 15.
Update! Congratulations to the winner of this giveaway - Wendy Wilson! Whoo-hoo! The book is coming your way, friend!
Propeller Consulting/FlyBy Promotions gave me a free copy of this book in exchange for a review and is providing the winner of the giveaway with a copy as well. If you have won a prize from Propeller/FlyBy in the last 30 days or won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win.
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