Review: My First Hands-On Bible

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I’m always looking for ways to integrate Bible study and discussion into our day, and My First Hands-On Bible has been a sweet addition into our school box. 

It starts out with some “cuddle-time” reading of actual Bible text, interspersed with some play-acting ideas, discussion questions, quick crafts, and more to engage your child.  At the end of the reading is a prayer, discussions questions, and more extension activity ideas – which may take you outside, to the kitchen, or stick with you throughout the week.

Title: My First Hands-On Bible
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Genre: Children’s devotional Bible
ISBN:  978-1-4143-4830-8
Recommended Age:  2-7yo
List Price:  $16.99
To Purchase:  tyndale.com
Synopsis:

My First Hands-On Bible is the preschooler version of the popular Hands-On Bible, which has sold over a half million copies. Jesus taught with hands-on lessons and illustrations; My First Hands-On Bible uses the same experience-based learning to communicate God’s Word in an active, understandable way. My First Hands-On Bible is a fun and simple yet meaningful way to engage preschool, pre-K, and K children (ages 3-6) with the Bible while helping them build a solid faith foundation. Each lesson focuses on a specific Bible point through a variety of activities in order to reinforce and help young children remember the stories and lessons. Using common household items, you can help your children have a “hands-on” learning experience while engaging them in 85 key stories from the Bible. My First Hands-On Bible doesn’t just retell the Bible stories; it also includes actual Scripture from the easy-to-understand and easy-to-read Holy Bible, New Living Translation. In addition to the stories and activities, there are fun illustrations, prayers, and a special Jesus Connection feature.

What Mom Liked:

• Bible text. I love that the text is straight from the Bible (New Living Translation).  It is simple enough that a preschooler can understand, but not dumbed down – we’ve had some interesting vocabulary discussions.
• Illustrations.  Yes, these are cartoon-like (and no, this isn’t a leather-bound Bible).  However, I LIKE how this makes the Bible appealing and approachable for little ones.
• Variety of activities.  While reading the story of creation, we took a quick break to draw the sun and moon, and to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Some activities get you moving, like a ride around the room on the back of a “camel.”  Others are just a simple question like “what is your favorite color?”  The extension activities can take a bit longer, e.g. an ethnic meal for the Tower of Babel story, or an assignment to look for babies throughout the week as a reminder of Sarah’s miracle.
• Nicely organized chapters.  This would fit well as the Bible component of a structured curriculum, planning for a chapter or two per week.  It could be used as the basis for themed studies – with as much “study” as is appropriate for your little one.  Or it could simply be used for daily devotions with your child..
• Discussion questions.  Some of the proposed questions can lead to very interesting discussions, such as “What makes you mad?” or “If you could change one thing that God made, what would it be?”

Thanks to Tyndale for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a frank and unbiased review, and to MamaBuzz for organizing the review.