New Bible storybooks bring parables of Jesus and Christmas in July

Did you know the ever-popular Arch ® Books for children have been around since 1965? I didn’t! To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Concordia Publishing House released some of these favorite Bible storybooks as the Best-Loved Christmas Stories and the Best-Loved Parables of Jesus, both of which the publisher kindly sent me to review.

Each book contains six of the previously published Arch ® Books in a sturdy, lightly padded hardback cover with the original or revised text and accompanying artwork inside. Each book also offers the work of a variety of talented artists and writers, who present Bible stories from various perspectives.

In the Best-Loved Christmas Stories, for example, “Mary’s Christmas Story” gives her view of that first Christmas while “Joseph’s Christmas Story” gives his. Other stories follow the star, shepherds, and wise men until the last story ends with the special joy and celebration found in the homes of young readers on Christmas morning.

You needn’t wait until Christmas, however, to read this book with your kids or grandchildren! As young children often say, “Tell me about when I was born,” they can readily connect, year-round, with stories about Jesus’ birth too.

Children also relate to the parables of Jesus, which give them a good story to remember even if it takes time for the full meaning to unfold. Most likely, that’s what Jesus expected when He first told the stories to grown-ups, who just didn’t get what He was saying! Maybe the meaning would “suddenly” come to them that night or the next morning or weeks later as they turned the stories over and over in their minds.

With the Best-Loved Parables of Jesus, children can do this too. The colorful artwork and poetic texts will help them to envision and recall “The Wise and Foolish Builders” as well as the Good Samaritan, lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son (aka Prodigal.)

The remaining story of “The Parable of the Talents” illustrates the talent from the Master as gold coins put to good use, but….

But Servant Three made a foolish choice:
He went home and dug a hole!
“I’ll put this deep into the ground
And keep his talent whole.”

After the parable has ended, the story goes on to ask young readers about the special gifts and abilities they have been given before closing with this good word:

Whatever our gifts that Jesus has given
Here’s what He has in store:
When we use our talents to honor Him,
He will bless them and give us more.


© 2014, Mary Harwell Sayler, reviewer, is a traditionally published author of many books in all genres, including poetry and books or prayer.


Best-Loved Christmas Stories, hardback



Best-Loved Parables of Jesus, hardback



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Bible stories for young readers

In the best-selling Arch Books series, Concordia Publishing House presents inexpensive but nicely done Bible stories for elementary school children, grandchildren, Sunday School classes, and religious study groups in parochial schools.

The colorful illustrations and child-appropriate language in rhythmically rhyming text make each of these little paperbacks a good gift for children 5 to 9 to read to themselves, but the word to "Dear Parents" at the end of each book in the series encourages parents and teachers to act and interact too.

For example, The Great Commission: “Jesus Said, Go and Tell!” shows that even a child can lead others to Christ. The especially well-written text and appealing artwork make this title highly recommended for use with children in any church denomination.

The Great Commission: “Jesus Said, Go and Tell!” paperback


With Easter coming, another highly recommended choice is Good Friday, which helps young children familiar with the term to understand why such a sad day could be good.

Good Friday, paperback


Another excellent choice to read with children just before Easter is John’s Easter Story as told by the apostle who stayed near the cross, witnessed the empty tomb, and took Jesus’ Mother Mary into his home.

John’s Easter Story, paperback



© 2014, Mary Sayler, reviewer
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