Finding Our Place: Where My Bible Story Books Fit in Children's Literature
Books in Black Wooden Book Shelf. Photo by Pixabay.
During one of my prayer walks, I was wrestling with an important question: What kind of role models should we use to teach young girls what it means to be a woman and young boys what it means to be a man? Initially, I considered writing about modern-day examples, both real and fictional. But as I prayed for guidance, the answer became crystal clear, and I wondered why I hadn't thought of it before: the men and women of the Bible!
The word "real" kept pressing on my heart, and I began seeing these biblical characters almost as photographs in my mind. I knew then that God was showing me these books needed to be different. They needed to feature real-looking people, not the cartoon-like illustrations common in today's Christian children's books. After all, these aren't fairy tales; they're true stories about real people who walked with God.
Why Not Just Read the Bible to Your Kids?
Little Boy Lying in Bed with a Corgi Dog. Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA.
I consider these books similar to an illustrated Bible for kids but broken up into different character stories. We put Bible stories into rhymes (poetry) that make it fun to read and easy to remember, with realistic illustrations. As Psalm 78:4 tells us, "We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done." Through these stories, we highlight the attributes of each biblical character—things like faithfulness, bravery, kindness, loyalty, obedience, and resiliency.
Why Do We Use Realistic Illustrations?
King Xerxes picking Esther in the Book Queen Esther. Illustration by Arabella Penrose
The illustrations don't resemble what you'd see in a typical children's book—and that's intentional. The Real Women Heroes of the Bible series and the future Mighty Men of the Bible series are meant to represent what real people in the Bible could have looked like. Most importantly, they're designed to help children subconsciously recognize they're not reading a make-believe story but rather a story about real people in a real, historical Bible. If I could use photographs, I would, but since there were no cameras in the ancient world, we rely on historical knowledge of clothing and appearance from those times and regions.
The Power of Biblical Poetry
The decision to write these stories in rhyme wasn't just a stylistic choice. It's part of their teaching power. Take this excerpt from our Queen Esther book:
"Mordecai said to Esther, 'May we the Lord please.
Perhaps God prepared you for times such as these!'
Queen Esther replied, 'Let us fast for three days:
Now gather the Jews and command them to pray.'"
This is a close paraphrase of the words of Esther 4:14-16, capturing this powerful moment in memorable verse, helping children understand and remember this crucial lesson about courage and faith.
Are These Books Really Meant for Children?
Well, yes, but not how one would traditionally think of children's books. These books are not playful, or silly, or something you and your children will laugh over. These are books for parents who want to teach their children the Bible, specifically focusing on biblical characters that can serve as role models for boys and girls. Just as Paul writes in Romans 15:4, "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction," these stories provide applicable lessons for children's lives.
A Spirit-Led Journey
What started for me as a simple side project I now see as a true calling. God has brought together a remarkable team, including my editor and poet Frank Scavo (you can read more about Frank and his poetic work at his Substack, God’s Gift of Verse). While conventional wisdom might suggest following market trends, we're choosing to follow God's leading. These books stand out on Amazon's Bible story listings. There are no others quite like them. And contrary to what marketing experts might predict, Christian parents are embracing these unique books because they fill a real need.
Practical Ways to Use These Books
Woman Reading Book Two Girls. Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels.
These books can serve multiple purposes in your child's spiritual education. They can work beautifully as part of your homeschool Bible curriculum, supporting character development lessons in ways that engage young minds. Many Sunday School teachers have incorporated them into their lessons, and parents tell me they've become an integral part of their bedtime reading routines. To deepen the learning experience, each book includes thoughtful discussion questions that help you explore the stories and lessons with your children.
Finding the Right Story for Your Child
Each book in the series focuses on specific qualities that we see displayed in the character of these faithful servants of God. For example, through Mary's story, children learn about courage, faith, and obedience as they witness her incredible journey of accepting God's call to become the mother of Jesus. Queen Esther's book demonstrates bravery, determination, and resilience as she risks everything to save her people. And in Ruth's story, children discover the beauty of kindness, loyalty, and diligence through her faithfulness to Naomi and God.
