Book Review - 100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs - Steven Elkins

As a children's pastor, I am always looking for resources to bring fresh, exciting and interactive learning to the children in our ministry. The folks over at Thomas Nelson Publishing have put together a great book here for parents and children's ministries alike.

100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs delivers just as the title advertises. The book is chock full of simple bible stories designed for young children, each accompanied by a song. The stories cover the entire bible, from the Genesis creation story ("In the Beginning") to the final judgement in Revelation. ("You Can't Get to Heaven on Roller Skates")

The stories bring out the simple truths of the biblical narrative, broken down to a kid-friendly level, with colorful illustrations by Tim O'Conner. Important words are colorfully highlighted so that the reader can stress them, and each story also contains a one-sentence life application, which does great bringing home the point of the lesson.

Besides some songs that are obviously custom-written for children, there are also great kid-friendly arrangements of some Christan standards, like "Amazing Grace," "Onward Christian Soldiers" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," as well as all-age favorites like "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and "Father Abraham."

Anyone involved in teaching children the Bible should have this book in their ministry toolbox.

100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs is available from Thomas Nelson Publishers.