*I received a complimentary copy of this Bible from Zondervan for consideration. All opinions are my own.
As Christians, we know that reading our Bibles is a great way to strengthen our understanding of who God is, and as such, our relationship with Him.
As parents, we want nothing more than to make sure our children have that relationship with God as well.
We can do this in many ways- taking them to church, praying with them and for them, talking about God, leading by example, etc. But what about encouraging them to read the Bible for themselves? Let's be honest, there are times when reading the Bible--- and actually understanding what we've read--- can be hard even for adults. For children, the idea of reading the Bible can be even more intimidating. So, how can we encourage young believers to start that habit young? Choosing the right Bible can certainly help.
Today, I'm excited to share a fun new Bible designed for kids ages 4-8 that I think can help: The NirV Illustrated Kids Bible.
What sets this Bible apart and makes it a great choice for kids just starting to read their Bible independently? Let's take a look.
The Format.
This Bible is printed in a single-column format in a readable font. While there are many Bibles that have a dual-column format, I must admit that this single-column layout is a personal favorite of mine. I feel like this just reads much more naturally, as it's what we are used to seeing in almost every other book. I definitely feel like this is even more important for those newer readers.
They have also removed chapter and verse numbers in order to provide a distraction-free reading experience. Rather than having each verse and chapter number noted where they are throughout the text, it is instead listed at the top of each passage. Again, for newer readers, I think this is a really great idea, particularly for just everyday reading. The downfall of this would be if they were looking for a particular verse, it makes it a little trickier. Still, I have found that when my daughter is searching out something particular, it is more likely to be a passage or story as a whole rather than individual verses, so I don't think this would be an issue for many kids at all.
The Illustrations.
Having great illustrations is a must for any kids' Bible, and this one is great for that. With nearly every page, children will encounter over 750 full-color illustrations and kid-friendly maps that bring the Bible to life for them. The illustrations are fairly small, but their frequent placement throughout adds color and fun, helping to break up the huge wall of text that can be overwhelming for children. I love their simplicity and how they help to bring these stories to life a bit more.
The Translation.
This Bible is in the NIrV translation, which is written at a third-grade reading level that is easier for kids to read independently. It is based on one of the most popular and widely used translations (due to its accuracy and readability), the NIV.
This translation uses the original text of the NIV when possible, but will use shorter sentences and/or easier-to-understand words when necessary for better understanding. Each verse has been meticulously evaluated in light of the meaning of the original languages in which they were written. This gives kids the most accurate but understandable version possible.
While reading the Bible is important, it really is that understanding that is going to make all the difference and this translation seems to be a great way to accomplish that!
Check out this video for a better idea of what to expect:
Ready to experience this Bible for the young believer in your life? You can purchase your copy here: https://bit.ly/nirvillustratedbibleFG
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