Friday, January 22, 2016

Book Review :: Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids, NIV

Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids, NIV is a great new Bible from from Zondervan. The Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids, NIV has a (full color) printed hard cover which you see in the cover image. (There are versions of the Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids, NIV that have an imitation/leather-look cover in purple or blue, but the one I am reviewing has a hardcover.)
The Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids, NIV has all black text (including the words of Christ) with various teal/turquoise accents (headings, chapter numbers, etc.), and is laid out in two columns. This is the NIV version of the Bible (© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011). The text is standard size - not large, but not extra small. It does contain some basic footnotes. There are no maps like you might find in many Bibles. After the Table of Contents, there is a helpful page: "What Is Prayer?"

Inside, there is a thick/coated, full color presentation page with a list of the books of the Bible and their genres (poetry, major prophets, minor prophets, etc.) on the back. There are three other thick/coated, full color pages inserted throughout the Bible: "How to use This Bible", "10 Commandments for Kids/The LORD's Prayer", and "Prayer Is.../The ABCs of Becoming a Christian".

There is a brief, single-page introduction for each book of the Bible. Each introduction covers a few basic things about the book which may include: who wrote it, why it was written, for whom it was written, what happens, what we learn about God, key people, what is special about the book, when & where it happened, and a list of some of the stories/important passages in the book.

Some verses throughout are highlighted in teal/turquoise. These are verses that go along with the concept of praying/conversing with God.

There are 98 devotions in the Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids, NIV. Each devotion has a verse reference and a devotional style writing. The devotions are fantastic - always tying back to the idea of prayer/conversation with God. There is a list of all of the devotions (in order of appearance) starting on page 1311, and another list (by topic) starting on page 1299.

Additionally, there are three reading plans at the back of the Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids, NIV: a 6 week "Introduction to the Bible", a 6 month "Guided Tour of the Bible", and a 3 year "Every Word in the Bible" plan. There are also 9 prayer journaling pages. 

With the attractive styling and the gender-neutral colors, I'd say the Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids, NIV would be great for either gender and a variety of ages - starting as early as age 6 (if they are reading) and up to the early teens. 

The Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids, NIV has the basics you need, with some fantastic extras and is a fantastic choice for a Bible for any child in your life. 
FTC Declaration: The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy. This does not change the fact that I will give my honest opinion in my reviews.

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