Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: The Gospel

The Scriptures, part of the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series, attempts to explain to young children what the Bible is and why it's important in our everyday lives.Author and illustrator Joey Allen begins the book by having Gabe, a lively and friendly little boy, introduce himself. "The Bible is the most important book in the whole world!" Gabe says.Gabe asks readers to consider what life would be like if our parents never spoke to us, or never taught us to tie our shoes or say our ABCs. Then he asks us to consider what it would be like if the one who created us never spoke to us and never told us how best to live. "But God has spoken!" Gabe exclaims. First, he points out that creation can tell us some things about God. Then he says we can learn even more about God by reading the Bible.Gabe explains that the Holy Spirit directed specific people to write the Bible. He describes the tone of the Old Testament and says the "entire Old Testament points to" a Savior, who would come in the future."When Jesus came to earth, He showed us what God is like. Jesus acted like God and talked like God because He is God! When we learn about Jesus in the Bible, we are learning about God."Gabe explains that "people who believed in Jesus gathered together all the books that come from God" and put them in one book, called the Bible. He tells us about 40 people wrote the books of the Bible, including a fisherman, a doctor, and a farmer. He explains that the Bible wasn't written in English originally, but that God protects the message of the Bible, no matter how many languages it's been copied into.Gabe explains that God always tells the truth and always keeps his promises. Therefore, "every morning when you wake up, you can be happy because the Bible says God is with you, and one day you will be with Him in heaven." The Bible, Gabe says, teaches us how to live as God wants us to: loving God and other people. The Bible also helps us grow and protects us from sin and other things that can hurt us. If something in the Bible is tough to understand, Gabe urges us to find someone who's been a Christian for a long time, and ask them if they can help us understand it better.What I Like: This book speaks truth with such clarity; what an ideal introduction to the Bible! All the assertions are backed up by biblical verses, and the cartoonish (but not crude) illustrations are inviting. I also like the child-friendly size of this book (about 6 inches by 6 inches).What I Dislike: The term "Holy Spirit" is never explained, so parents should be prepared for questions on that. Also, there is paragraph in this 32 page book that offers so weak an argument, it doesn't belong in this otherwise fine volume. Gabe says the Bible is like no other book because "you can tell that it comes from God because it does not sound like something a human would make up."Overall Rating: Excellent!Kristina Seleshanko, editor of Christian Children's Book Review ( ccbreview at blogspot dot com )

I love this series! A friend has them for their children, which is where I first saw them, and I decided on the spot that I wanted to get them for my children when the time came (I didn't even have kids yet at the time!). They are a bit too in depth for my two year old, but he will sit for most of it, and some times I just abbreviate the text. It will not be long however, for these to be right at his level.The concept of the books themselves is excellent. Fundamental truths of the gospel are presented in easy-to-understand language, acknowledging children's ability to grasp much more than we often expect. It is not without reason that Christ told us to come as little children...When I first received the books, I even found them refreshing for my own faith just to read through them. Sometimes, after being a Christian many years, you can find yourself loosing focus on the simple truths of the gospel; this series has the gospel on center stage in each book.

This little book does a great job of presenting the simple truth of the gospel for children. I think it would be best for ages 4 and up in terms of the child being able to grasp the concepts presented. Highly recommend!

I bought this book as a gift, then I bought one for my two year old and now I've ordered the set of all 4 in the series. He enjoys the book, it's very straight forward. It breaks down the plan of salvation enough for a very young child to understand without losing anything This is a how to lead young children to salvation but also a great gift for friends and family who have children but may not know the Lord themselves. It has scripture reference at the bottom of each page for parents or older children and a page in the back with for parents with suggestions on talking to little ones about accepting Christ.

EXCELLENT Gospel presentation: one of the best/truest to Scripture that I have ever run across for children. Highly recommend this book. It was given to my toddler son by my best friend; and after being very impressed by the content, I bought a copy recently for one of his friends' birthdays! I have been surprised at how the simple illustrations--which to my mind are relatively repetitive and could benefit from some improvement--really interest my little one who can't read for himself yet; and he will actually pore over the pictures for quite some time. All-in-all, excellent book.

All of our kids have loved these, needed a new set for our youngest. Simple truths that sometimes started conversations, sometimes not. These are a great gift set idea.

This is a great explanation for little children. My only complaint is the blah pictures. Other than that I think its a great "storybook" way of explaining salvation. My daughter is 3.5yrs old and she listened intently and asked questions.

This is a very cute book. It is a little "too wordy" for my just-turned 3 year old, but it really a solid book. His attention span is short and he loves to turn the pages, so I wasn't "turning them" fast enough for him since I wanted to actually read the book! Must have in your collection for a little disciple. It was recommended by my church's sunday school director, who has her degree in seminary, so I know it's solid.

This is an excellent little book. Our daughter is three and we wanted to teach her the Gospel clearly. This book is simple, well written, holds her attention throughout, and presents the Gospel of Christ with accuracy.In fact, she asks continually to be read this book, and (perhaps as a result) we heard her telling her baby brother how he must 'trust Jesus to be in heaven'.It's hard to find children's books with a solid message which are also interesting, even to three year olds. If that is what you are looking for - I would certainly recommend this little book!

Great series... A bit expensive for how tiny they are though

Great book to read to little ones or for them to read themselves explaining the Gospel!

Its OK! Perhaps more Little thoughts than Big thoughts!