Book Review - Big Red Bible

As a book reviewer for Thomas Nelson publishers, I received a complimentary copy of this Bible. The first thing I noticed when I received it is the bright, eye-catching front cover which will appeal to the young children for whom it is designed. On the front cover is the phrase, "The translation children can read and understand". I agree that this translation is ideal for younger children who often do not understand other, more advanced translations. It is not appropriate for older elementary children or even young children who are advanced readers.

The illustrations in this new edition of The Big Red Bible are also eye-catching. They appear to me to be computer-generated versions of what look like 3-D dioramas - like you would find in a museum that has created dioramas of scenes from the Bible.

In the back of this Bible there is a dictionary of words that young children especially might not know. For example, firstfruits and covenant are defined. Beyond the dictionary are short sections entitled, "Where Do I Find It?", "What God Promises About...", and "Memory Verses For My Life". Each of these is geared toward younger children and can be a useful tool to enhance Bible study. In addition there is also a set of maps which are clearly marked and are easy for younger children to read.

The one negative aspect in my opinion is that this version is not hardback. My younger children don't always treat books as carefully as a grownup would and this book would be very easy to bend.