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The Big Picture Story Bible
No child is too young to begin learning about the greatest love story of all—God’s love for his people, as portrayed in the Bible. David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker have together created a colorful book of Bible stories written especially for children ages 2–7. Rather than simply retelling portions of the Bible, this book presents the big picture—the unified story running through the Old and New Testaments. Twenty-six stories together form parts of this big picture.
Simply written and beautifully illustrated, this book teaches children the Bible’s whole story so they can begin to appreciate the fulfillment of God’s promise to his people. The Big Picture Story Bible is perfect for parents to read to their children and for older children to read on their own.
First published in 2004, The Big Picture Story Bible has been widely praised and used by parents. It now comes with an audio recording of the book, read by the author and presented on two CDs, one each for the Old and New Testaments. Great for Sunday school classes and trips in the car, children can listen to the text and follow along in the book.
Book Details: Format: Book+CD Publication Date: 11/18/2010 Pages: 456 Reading Level: Age 2 and Up
456 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2004
About the author
David R. Helm
30 books36 followersDavid R. Helm, along with Arthur Jackson, serves as Lead Pastor of the Hyde Park Congregation of Holy Trinity Church Chicago. David is Chairman of The Charles Simeon Trust, a ministry devoted to equipping men in expository preaching.
A graduate of Wheaton College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, David is ordained in the PCA and serves on the council of The Gospel Coalition. He authored I, II Peter and Jude in Crossway’s Preaching the Word series, and contributed to Preach the Word:Essays in Expository Preaching in Honor of Kent Hughes. In addition, David has written The Big Picture Story Bible, One to One Bible Reading and The Genesis Factor (the latter with Jon Dennis). His forthcoming book on preaching is titled Expositional Preaching: How we speak God's Word Today which will be released in April of 2014.
David and his wife, Lisa, have five children (Noah, Joanna, who is married to Ben Panner, Baxter, Silas and Mariah) and reside in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
A graduate of Wheaton College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, David is ordained in the PCA and serves on the council of The Gospel Coalition. He authored I, II Peter and Jude in Crossway’s Preaching the Word series, and contributed to Preach the Word:Essays in Expository Preaching in Honor of Kent Hughes. In addition, David has written The Big Picture Story Bible, One to One Bible Reading and The Genesis Factor (the latter with Jon Dennis). His forthcoming book on preaching is titled Expositional Preaching: How we speak God's Word Today which will be released in April of 2014.
David and his wife, Lisa, have five children (Noah, Joanna, who is married to Ben Panner, Baxter, Silas and Mariah) and reside in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
April 16, 2012
Many of you know that I am very particular about the “christian” books that I read to my kids. I’m often saddened by the lack of doctrine and mis-truths that are taught to our kids in the most popular “Bible” books. So I was very reluctant to embrace the “Big Picture Story Bible”, but I have and here’s why.
First, it doesn’t make the Bible into a bunch of moral stories or “Veggie-tunize it”, instead it shows the whole plan of salvation from Adam and Eve to the “New Earth.”
Secondly, it doesn’t impart motives or words to the biblical characters that aren’t stated in the Bible.
One of the more popular kids Bibles right now is the Jesus Storybook Bible. It has more Biblical stories than the “Big Picture Story Bible,” but I find that I often have to edit it as I’m reading. The author takes some liberties with what the Bible says, in order to write in the style of a fairytale story and I find that those “liberties” often convey incorrect truths or trivialize real truths. It makes me wonder if we are really teaching them the Bible or a different version of a great fairy tale? Lloyd-Jones does a great job of showing how Christ is in the whole Bible, but I think she undercuts the story with her desire to “entertain” at the same time. –back to “The Big Picture Story Bible”–I’ll get off my soap box now :)
David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker have done a really good job of staying accurate to the Bible, although they do misquote Mark 1:10 and Luke 3:22 when they say “a dove flew down and rested on Jesus” — referring to the Holy Spirit, but that’s the only thing I’ve noticed thus far.
One of Milan’s favorite stories from the book right now is “God’s Great Sign – Part 7″ Which is the story of the Israelites in Egypt painting their doors with the blood of a lamb so that God would pass over their house and not kill the first born. Gail’s illustrations show a father holding a lamb and then the next picture you see them painting the door frame of the house, followed by a picture of Pharaoh weeping over the body of his dead son. It really is a good representation of the biblical story.
While we were at The Gospel Coalition Conference in Chicago, we had a chance to hear David Helm at the panel discussion “How To Teach Children and Youth the Gospel Story.” He strongly made the point that we should be reading to our kids from the Bible, that this book (The Big Picture Story Bible”) came out of his church wanting to create a resource for the families in their church to do family worship a few times a week at home, specifically families with young kids. Does this book teach all the Bible stories? No, it misses a lot of them, but it does help you see how to teach from the Bible in a way that your 3 year old will understand and enjoy and remains true and accurate.
First, it doesn’t make the Bible into a bunch of moral stories or “Veggie-tunize it”, instead it shows the whole plan of salvation from Adam and Eve to the “New Earth.”
Secondly, it doesn’t impart motives or words to the biblical characters that aren’t stated in the Bible.
One of the more popular kids Bibles right now is the Jesus Storybook Bible. It has more Biblical stories than the “Big Picture Story Bible,” but I find that I often have to edit it as I’m reading. The author takes some liberties with what the Bible says, in order to write in the style of a fairytale story and I find that those “liberties” often convey incorrect truths or trivialize real truths. It makes me wonder if we are really teaching them the Bible or a different version of a great fairy tale? Lloyd-Jones does a great job of showing how Christ is in the whole Bible, but I think she undercuts the story with her desire to “entertain” at the same time. –back to “The Big Picture Story Bible”–I’ll get off my soap box now :)
David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker have done a really good job of staying accurate to the Bible, although they do misquote Mark 1:10 and Luke 3:22 when they say “a dove flew down and rested on Jesus” — referring to the Holy Spirit, but that’s the only thing I’ve noticed thus far.
One of Milan’s favorite stories from the book right now is “God’s Great Sign – Part 7″ Which is the story of the Israelites in Egypt painting their doors with the blood of a lamb so that God would pass over their house and not kill the first born. Gail’s illustrations show a father holding a lamb and then the next picture you see them painting the door frame of the house, followed by a picture of Pharaoh weeping over the body of his dead son. It really is a good representation of the biblical story.
While we were at The Gospel Coalition Conference in Chicago, we had a chance to hear David Helm at the panel discussion “How To Teach Children and Youth the Gospel Story.” He strongly made the point that we should be reading to our kids from the Bible, that this book (The Big Picture Story Bible”) came out of his church wanting to create a resource for the families in their church to do family worship a few times a week at home, specifically families with young kids. Does this book teach all the Bible stories? No, it misses a lot of them, but it does help you see how to teach from the Bible in a way that your 3 year old will understand and enjoy and remains true and accurate.
February 18, 2021
Still the best Children's storybook Bible out there I think. The illustrations are not very good, but the Biblical storyline and theology is stronger than DeYoung's smaller synopsis. And, Helm doesnt take the liberties that Sally Lloyd-Jones does. All that said, all three of them are quite good. But The Big Picture Story Bible takes the cake in the Bierig house.
January 22, 2017
My four year daughter really enjoyed listening to the CD of this. This is an easy to understand big book of bible stories.
June 3, 2019
By far one of the best of bible story books I’ve read! The only draw back (which I still don’t have settled in my mind, but for those that do care) it has images of Jesus.*
Good sound theology weaving the theme of redemption from sin and disobedience to the long awaited messiah “Gods forever king” is the verbiage used. Most kids bible story books water down the reality of sin and focus more on the love aspect (which God is love! But we also are sinners in need of redemption, both go together). While the pictures aren’t my favorite, they weren’t bad.
It gets a 5 star rating bc my boys (3 and 4) LOVED it. I was very clear this is a bible story book, not the actual bible, but the stories really happened and are true from the Bible. This fostered many great conversations for us and when it was done they said “when can we read it again??”
* But my question is, for young children images play a powerful role in learning, and we *do* read the actual bible to them, there was something very tangible for them to see pictures as I read, the Bible stories really came alive for them and they connected more concepts of scripture. Jesus really was a man and really was God. While I understand we do not worship and make images of God, this was in the time of history God had not manifested Himself as fully man and fully God, veiled in flesh. Should we ignore how visual of learners little people are and miss out on setting biblical foundations out of pietistic doctrinal concerns, or emphasize what is reality and just have extra conversations in teaching “Is this really Jesus?” “We don’t know what He really looked like, but He did live on earth as a man and God at the same time.” “We don’t worship this picture bc it’s not really God.” Etc etc. it’s building relationships, building sound theology, and also engaging little people in the faith as covenant Children, speaking to them as children but not as too dumb to engage theological conversations. To have heart conversations about who Christ is and what He has done is so incredibly sweet. Lol, so there is my random musings on whether to have images of Jesus or not.
Good sound theology weaving the theme of redemption from sin and disobedience to the long awaited messiah “Gods forever king” is the verbiage used. Most kids bible story books water down the reality of sin and focus more on the love aspect (which God is love! But we also are sinners in need of redemption, both go together). While the pictures aren’t my favorite, they weren’t bad.
It gets a 5 star rating bc my boys (3 and 4) LOVED it. I was very clear this is a bible story book, not the actual bible, but the stories really happened and are true from the Bible. This fostered many great conversations for us and when it was done they said “when can we read it again??”
* But my question is, for young children images play a powerful role in learning, and we *do* read the actual bible to them, there was something very tangible for them to see pictures as I read, the Bible stories really came alive for them and they connected more concepts of scripture. Jesus really was a man and really was God. While I understand we do not worship and make images of God, this was in the time of history God had not manifested Himself as fully man and fully God, veiled in flesh. Should we ignore how visual of learners little people are and miss out on setting biblical foundations out of pietistic doctrinal concerns, or emphasize what is reality and just have extra conversations in teaching “Is this really Jesus?” “We don’t know what He really looked like, but He did live on earth as a man and God at the same time.” “We don’t worship this picture bc it’s not really God.” Etc etc. it’s building relationships, building sound theology, and also engaging little people in the faith as covenant Children, speaking to them as children but not as too dumb to engage theological conversations. To have heart conversations about who Christ is and what He has done is so incredibly sweet. Lol, so there is my random musings on whether to have images of Jesus or not.
February 6, 2019
I don't really get why this children's bible gets so many rave reviews. I found it to be overly literal in some sections, quoting from sections of the bible that used some pretty big words for the audience it was supposed to be written for. Then, other sections were overly paraphrased and liberal in interpretation of the events. In one instance it was even including things that do not take place in the bible. I also found it to be overly violent, with a focus on sin, Satan, violence, and blood sacrifices. I am not claiming those things should be left out of our bibles. But it is wrong if it is highlighted over teaching Love and Grace to our children. Finally, I thought the illustrations were weird and not very good. Oh, and everyone in it is white. A MUCH better children's bible is "The Jesus Storybook Bible".
March 4, 2021
My children enjoyed this overview of the Bible! We would read it every morning at breakfast. While it doesn’t cover all the well known stories that we are used to reading in a children’s Bible, I loved how it shows you the “big picture” and ties the whole story together from beginning to end. I’d love to read this with them again as they get a little older.
October 16, 2020
Definitely add it to your collection. It isn't the best Children's Bible we've gone through, but it is easily top 3.
April 11, 2022
One of my favorite Bible story books for young kids. Not many words on each page so it keeps tiny ones engaged while still providing lots of solid truth!
September 5, 2022
I've read many Bible story books to my boys, and this is my all-time favorite. Just finished reading it once again with my youngest. It truly presents the big picture of the Bible. The words and pictures work together to present profound biblical theological truths.
December 21, 2010
Grasping the continuity of the Bible is difficult, even for adults. It's easy to read it as many separate stories, each one written to reveal something about God but not necessarily connected to one another. But to view the Bible like this is to miss the "big picture," the story line that is hidden in the pages, waiting to be discovered. That story line is the Christ-centered story of redemption.
In The Big Picture Story Bible, David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker simply yet superbly tie together the major stories of the Bible and show how each of these stories continually point to the fulfillment of God's promise of redemption. The book begins with creation and the Fall, showing how Adam and Eve, who were once joyful in the fellowship of God, disobeyed. But, even from the very beginning, "God gave Adam and Eve a hint that he would not always be angry with them. God promised that one day someone would come and crush Satan's power over people. But that day was a long way off." (pp.48-49) Through the stories of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, the prophets and other, we continually read the reminders of God's promise. By the time you get to the New Testament, there's a great expectation that surely something is going to happen and soon! "What a very big day! What God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David had arrived in the birth of Jesus!" (p.256-257). The book tells of Jesus' ministry, his death, burial and resurrection. It closes with another promise that Jesus would return again and that "God's forever people will one day live in God's forever place under God's forever rule." (p.450)
David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker take what is often simply told as individual Sunday School stories and writes the story of the Bible in such a way as to make it accessible to children. Each page is filled with colorful drawings that beautifully, yet simply illustrate what is happening. The book does take a few liberties in describing some situations, like giving the background for why Caesar decided to count all the people in his kingdom. Additionally, many details about Biblical events or stories are not covered, but are briefly mentioned, if at all. But keep in mind that the purpose of this story Bible is to look at the big picture and, as a result, many smaller details or stories may not be mentioned.
Every family with young children should have a copy of this story Bible. It certainly gave me a great reminder of how the Bible all fits together. The Big Picture Story Bible is an excellent way to teach how the whole Bible is about God, how each story builds to the coming of Jesus and how even today, we wait for the final chapter to be written in the story of redemption.
(A huge "Thank you" to Crossway for providing a copy of this book for review.)
In The Big Picture Story Bible, David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker simply yet superbly tie together the major stories of the Bible and show how each of these stories continually point to the fulfillment of God's promise of redemption. The book begins with creation and the Fall, showing how Adam and Eve, who were once joyful in the fellowship of God, disobeyed. But, even from the very beginning, "God gave Adam and Eve a hint that he would not always be angry with them. God promised that one day someone would come and crush Satan's power over people. But that day was a long way off." (pp.48-49) Through the stories of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, the prophets and other, we continually read the reminders of God's promise. By the time you get to the New Testament, there's a great expectation that surely something is going to happen and soon! "What a very big day! What God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David had arrived in the birth of Jesus!" (p.256-257). The book tells of Jesus' ministry, his death, burial and resurrection. It closes with another promise that Jesus would return again and that "God's forever people will one day live in God's forever place under God's forever rule." (p.450)
David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker take what is often simply told as individual Sunday School stories and writes the story of the Bible in such a way as to make it accessible to children. Each page is filled with colorful drawings that beautifully, yet simply illustrate what is happening. The book does take a few liberties in describing some situations, like giving the background for why Caesar decided to count all the people in his kingdom. Additionally, many details about Biblical events or stories are not covered, but are briefly mentioned, if at all. But keep in mind that the purpose of this story Bible is to look at the big picture and, as a result, many smaller details or stories may not be mentioned.
Every family with young children should have a copy of this story Bible. It certainly gave me a great reminder of how the Bible all fits together. The Big Picture Story Bible is an excellent way to teach how the whole Bible is about God, how each story builds to the coming of Jesus and how even today, we wait for the final chapter to be written in the story of redemption.
(A huge "Thank you" to Crossway for providing a copy of this book for review.)
April 13, 2008
We received this book from the church when our first child was born. The illustrations are truly capitivating and have a unique style. The narrative is just okay. It is sparse, and tries to only cover the highlights of the Bible. Sometimes, I think it is not concrete enough for children so young, and the lack of depth can create a vague obscurity.
it is a good book, and I'm glad we have it - of course, it is also precious because it came from our church. But, it is more something that we keep for variety than a must-have item.
it is a good book, and I'm glad we have it - of course, it is also precious because it came from our church. But, it is more something that we keep for variety than a must-have item.
February 7, 2011
A pretty little amazing book to introduce children to the truths found in the Bible. At two, this was officially the longest book my daughter has ever sat through. She even repeated some of the things it said and was fascinated with the pictures.
July 4, 2016
Outstanding. Rich concepts in plain language. How the people of God find a place to live under the wonderful rule of God. Highly recommended for ages 2-7.
October 17, 2022
In my opinion, this is peerless.
As the title states, this is for the macro story of the Bible. My husband assigns a reading of this to his college theology students; our kids have read it many times. All profit. Helm masterfully traces the main themes of the Bible through the history of the world, not trivializing the content as some Bible storybooks do by efforts toward trendiness or relatability, instead providing an irreplaceable framework for reading the most powerful Book intelligently.
If asked, you should be able to identify what is the point of the Bible, in 2 min or less. This book can help you do that.
As the title states, this is for the macro story of the Bible. My husband assigns a reading of this to his college theology students; our kids have read it many times. All profit. Helm masterfully traces the main themes of the Bible through the history of the world, not trivializing the content as some Bible storybooks do by efforts toward trendiness or relatability, instead providing an irreplaceable framework for reading the most powerful Book intelligently.
If asked, you should be able to identify what is the point of the Bible, in 2 min or less. This book can help you do that.
April 18, 2024
This is easily the best story Bible for kids who aren’t old enough sit still for longer than 5 minutes. Probably between 3-5. But older kids can also benefit. I’ve quoted from it in a sermon before! It does fantastic biblical theology that a kindergartener can understand, presenting the progression of God’s plan to make the world right again after the Fall. Starting in Genesis 3:15 then going to Noah, Abraham, David, Solomon, Jesus’ first coming, his second coming and the new heavens and new earth. Absolutely loved it!
There’s definitely better story Bibles out there for older kids. But for super young ones, this is the best.
There’s definitely better story Bibles out there for older kids. But for super young ones, this is the best.
February 3, 2019
Jesus is God’s forever king. I’ve read this to children in Sunday school and it’s a joy to read it now to my toddler.
October 19, 2021
Our children were so engaged with this children’s Bible!
October 31, 2021
Read with Charlotte at bed time.
May 9, 2022
2cv thoughts aside, it's a pretty decent story book Bible. It's more abbreviated than most and only took a couple months to walk through with my kids for family worship.
February 2, 2023
I don't love the illustration style (personal preference), but the text is beautifully and accurately done. Even as an adult, I needed this reminder of the big picture of the Bible.
November 15, 2022
Read this to my son. A great summary of the Bible message.
March 1, 2021
Good for little ones. Almost too concise for my two year old. She often wanted me to read more. Top 5 for sure.
February 27, 2023
Very little sweetening or psychologising of the narratives, but still manages to have quite a nice, fresh voice. Is it pitched at three-year-olds or six-year-olds? Probably the former, but no one book can catch a whole age cohort, so if it seems uneven (occasional longer words or deeper reflections) then that will be suitable for some readers at any given point.
Very much a biblical-theological survey of selected highlights (so nothing from Judges, poss my fave or second fave OT book, where historical and typological readings are more fun and fruitful) but no one can cover everything.
The style of the illustrations is both simple and arresting. Some bold colours, but mostly a “sensible” palette. Quite a few scenes show the human characters from above, which is cheeky, but neat.
Very big, heavy object, which is satisfying in its own way.
Very much a biblical-theological survey of selected highlights (so nothing from Judges, poss my fave or second fave OT book, where historical and typological readings are more fun and fruitful) but no one can cover everything.
The style of the illustrations is both simple and arresting. Some bold colours, but mostly a “sensible” palette. Quite a few scenes show the human characters from above, which is cheeky, but neat.
Very big, heavy object, which is satisfying in its own way.
August 25, 2015
I've been reading parts of this book to my children for about a year and a half now but haven't gone through it myself until now. I liked the 'metanarrative' approach of this children's Bible to show the cohesiveness of the Scriptures' many stories. Obviously simplistic and glossy on it's details (and I don't agree with all it's wording) but a great book for it's aim. It would have been nice if the author included scripture reference on the section title pages. I also enjoyed the way this gave about equal space to the Old and New Testaments, with a major space given to Jesus' miracles and life. It is a great Bible to start off toddlers with as the violence is subdued and it talks to why certain things are happening. My son and daughter have enjoyed it over and over.
April 7, 2013
My husband and I read this to my 3 year old as we incorporated it into our nightly family devotions. I love it because it gives a big and sweeping narrative of both the Old Testament and New Testament thus the title "Big Picture." Every story points to Jesus (similar to The Jesus Storybook Bible)and the author does a really great job of drawing out Biblical themes and principles in each story telling. I especially appreciated the Genesis story and illustrations. I would highly recommend this for parents to read with their children.
January 29, 2013
My wife and I really love this children's bible. Given to us as a gift when my first son was born, we have enjoyed making this part of our children's bedtime routine. The Bible has been condensed into stories pointing to Jesus and culminating in Jesus. The presentation of the gospel is clear and Jesus is rightly revealed as Savior, Lord, and King. The artwork is well done and rightly captures the perspective of God seeing His people on earth. Thankful for this resource.
July 16, 2013
Just finished my second read-through of this with the kids. I love the emphasis on the storyline of redemption. The amount of words per page and the details of the pictures kept my 2 year old interested throughout. Some of the animals are repeated from page to page in the stories as well, so it can be turned into a "seek and find" game too. I recommend letting them find the animal before you read the words. :-)
July 9, 2016
This is the story Bible we got Nathan to read to us--an easier reading level than the Jesus Storybook Bible, easier for Katya to understand, but still well connected and written with lots of actual verse quotes woven in. He often runs to grab it and find the story that we are reading in a different version.
January 12, 2022
Our absolute FAVORITE story Bible. We have read this whole thing probably 25 times and listened to it again and again on the Crossway podcast. This is my go-to rec for children's story Bibles. We all love it!!
March 23, 2016
Great main character. I especially love the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews