The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible from Zonderkidz Book Review and a Giveaway

The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible brings to life more than 40 Bible stories that help readers understand that God’s Spirit has been with us since the beginning of time and continues to be with us today. From the glory of creation through the powerful letters of Paul, God’s Spirit is living in his people. Old and New Testament stories such as Adam and Eve, Abraham, Joseph, the Baptism of Jesus, and Pentecost come alive with dramatic illustrations by Fernando Juarez and moving text by Doris Rikkers. With a cover that sparkles and shines with foil, this is a special storybook Bible that will appeal to both children and parents alike.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

If I settle on the far side of the sea,

Even there your hand will guide me,

Your right hand will hold me fast.

~ Psalm 139: 7–10

About the author and illustrator:

Doris Wynbeek Rikkers is a freelance writer and editor who has written many bestselling children’s books and Bibles. Although she loves the ocean, she lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, surrounded by her books, her flower gardens, and her family and friends.

Spanish artist Fernando Juarez illustrates children’s books and also works as an art supervisor at the Madrid studio Ilion Animation. The company produces 3D feature films for children. Fernando has three kids himself, and if he has any time left after work and family, you might catch him playing guitar in a rock band.

My Thoughts:

I loved curling up with my kids when they were younger reading God’s word. I would love talking about the pictures and discovering what treasures we could find within the illustrations. Now that my kids are teens we still read the word together just not illustrated ones. I love exploring children’s Bibles and the opportunity to share with the little ones.

 The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible is a hardback book with 312 pages. There are a total of forty-five stories. There are stories from both the Old and New Testaments. They use the popular NIV version but, some of the words are different than the version for the intended age.

The illustrations are stunning and are filled with a lot of details. The main purpose that I grasp from this storybook is trying to show how God’s Holy Spirit is involved throughout each of the stories. The Holy Spirit is shown in each story as a swirling white smoke.

The stories are everything from Creation, David, Joseph, Samson, Paul, and other stories you would expect to see in this format. There are a few that you don’t usually see in a storybook of the Bible. I was delighted to see that.

First off I’m not sure how much I would consider this as a Bible. I personally see it more as a story book taken from God’s word. I felt that a lot of creative liberty was taken in some of this where God’s spirit wasn’t mentioned there. If you look at the Hebrew it’s for many of the Old Testament stories it’s just not there. I usually expect to see some creative liberty in a children's book when it comes to the Bible. I wish that wasn't the case but, it seems to be more common.

Here is a link to check out a few stories for yourself.

I wouldn’t say that this is a horrible storybook. I’m just giving you the facts to determine for yourself. 

The prize pack includes a copy of:

Spirit of God Illustrated Bible
Adventure Bible Book of Daring Deeds and Epic Creations
NIV Kids Visual Study Bible
Explorer's Bible Guide
Words to Love By
Love Letters from God

Click on the link below for your chance to win the giveaway.

I received a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this information accordance with the FTC Regulations.