Elijah, Prophet of God, by B A Ramsbottom, published by Gospel Standard Trust Publications in their Faithful Footsteps series, hardback, 36 pages, £5.00.
Mr Ramsbottom has written many books for children. This is the first in a new series (a book on Elisha is to follow). His aim is to tell the story of Elijah as simply as possible for young children. Almost every page carries an illustration, by Mark H Philpott. The book also contains a map, a timeline, and various pieces of further information – under the heading, “Did You Know?” The stories direct the reader (or the child who is listening) to the map and to the relevant passage in the Bible. The whole book is very well designed. Also available is Sketches . . . Elijah and Elisha by Mark Philpott.
Bible Names, by Alison Brown, published by the Banner of Truth Trust, booklet, 32 pages, £3.50.
The author has already written, and illustrated, seven similar booklets. This further booklet, with approximately A4-sized pages, focuses on Bible characters whose names have a significant meaning. They include Adam and Eve, and John and Timothy – a double-page spread being devoted to each person. In each case, one page has a full-colour illustration; the opposite page gives some information about the person, together with some scriptural teaching. The right-hand page also has a space for a drawing and a number of sentences in which the reader has to fill in the missing words.
A Bible Alphabet Busy Book, by Alison Brown, published by the Banner of Truth Trust, booklet, 32 pages, £3.00.
This further booklet is of the same size as the one reviewed above; it is cheaper because inside it is entirely in black and white. The author takes a Bible word for each letter of the alphabet – from ark to Zion. For each topic, there is a picture and a puzzle-type exercise, based on a Bible passage. The user is invited to complete sentences, or to fill in missing letters, or to answer questions, using the relevant passage. The use of this booklet may improve the child’s reading and writing skills but, more importantly, it should increase the child’s knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures.
All books reviewed here may be obtained from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom.