The Third Day: The Gospel of Luke Chapters 22-24 by Alex Webb-Peploe (Review)

The Third Day:

The Gospel of Luke Chapters 22-24

By Alex Webb-Peploe

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Christian / Graphic Novel

Published by- The Good Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 48

Age Group- Teens and Young Adults

Description of book- paperback (ISBN: 978-1-90991-955-6, $6.99)

The Third Day, by Alex Webb-Peploe, is taken from the Gospel of Luke and shows Jesus’s last days on this earth.  The text is taken straight from the Bible and the illustrations are dark and provoking (not for younger children).  This book can be used as an introduction to the Bible by those who prefer reading graphic novels. 

About the Illustrator-  Alex Webb-Peploe is a web designer and illustrator.  He currently lives in Cheltenham with his family. 

My thoughts- The Third Day, by Alex Webb-Peploe, was very well done.  Usually I am not a big fan of graphic novels, but I liked reading this one.

The only thing I would change would be the addition of Judas’s death.  It actively involved him, so it only makes sense to include his demise.

André Parker and Webb-Peploe did an excellent job drawing and designing the characters and panels.  Everything was well drawn and I could easily which character was which.  It was a good thing that each character wore the same thing in the panels, or I would not have been able to tell them apart since they looked so similar.

This graphic novel was a good rendition of the Gospel of Luke 22-24.  If you like to read graphic novels, then you will really enjoy this one.  If you don’t like reading them, this might be a good introduction for you.  I thought it was really good and I recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Third Day: The Gospel of Luke Chapters 22-24, by Alex Webb-Peploe, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

The Sweetest Story Bible- Sweet Thoughts and Sweet Words for Little Girls (Deluxe Edition) by Diane Stortz and illustrated by Sheila Bailey

Genre- Juvenile Nonfiction/Religion/Bible Stories/General

Published by- ZonderKidz (Zondervan)

Copyrighted- 2010

Number of pages- 224

Age Group- 4-7

Description of book- hardback book and 2 CDs, list price $22.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-73033-0

Containing 40 Bible stories, beautiful illustrations, and told on CD by Roma Downey this book will begin to bring the Bible to life to young girls.  They will learn about Abraham, Joseph, Deborah, Saul, Aquila and Priscilla, and more.

Each Chapter includes “Sweet Words,” messages from the Bible and “Sweet Thoughts,” an interpretation of the Bible message.

This book is perfect for in the house or in the car.

Audio Excerpt from the Book!

Sample Video!

About the author- Diane Stortz currently lives with her husband in Ohio.  She has two grown daughters.  She has been in publishing for many years and she is the cofounder of the National Network of Parents of Missionaries.

 

 

 

 

 

About the illustrator-  Shelia Bailey currently lives in California and has been writing and illustrating children’s books for more than ten years.  She works in watercolor and digital media.

 

 

 

 

 

My thoughts- This book is perfect for young girls ages, 4-7.  It is cute and the CD case and box hold everything together perfectly.  It is perfect for the three young girls I have in my life.

The “Sweet Thoughts” and “Sweet Words” will teach them important aspects of the Bible which will stay with them all of their lives.  I liked the addition of some of the great women of the Bible, like Deborah, Ruth, Esther, Lydia, and Priscilla.  As there are still books of the bible I have not yet read, this book taught me about women I had not heard of.

My young daughter, has really enjoyed looking at the pictures and listening to the stories read by Roma Downey.  (Don’t tell her, but I’m getting one for her for a present.)

This story Bible is perfect for any young lady.  I highly recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Sweetest Story Bible by Diane Stortz and illustrated by Sheila Bailey for free from DJC Communications.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

The Voice New Testament: Step into the Story of Scripture

Genre- Bible/Other Translation/Study

The Voice New Testament by Ecclesia Bible Society

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Copyrighted- 2011

Number of pages- 413

Age Group- For those who can read

Description of Book- paperback, list price $6.99, ISBN 978-1-4185-5076-9

The Voice is a result of 27 Bible scholars, 51 writers and 36 other contributors getting together to bring us a work of literature.  This version has song, poetry, truth and wisdom to bring you to God with your whole being.

Included is:

• Four different reading plans for Advent, Lent and Ester, in 24 weeks, and daily readings for personal growth
• Notes with a topical index
• Screenplay format to identify speaker and dialogue

and more.

My Thoughts- I was very excited to receive this book.  It is important to me to try different versions of the Bible, so I can find the version that helps me learn and understand the most.  And I believe I have found a version that I am proud to have on my bookshelf and to share with others when they ask me for a good version of the Bible.

What makes this version so good is the use of today’s language, identification of who is speaking, and extra information which gives the reader more.  This Bible is one that I can sit down with and read without becoming disinterested.

Sometimes I feel this version reads too much like a novel, but then as I read on I am awed and inspired and I want to continue reading.

I highly recommend this Bible for everyone.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Voice New Testament by Ecclesia Bible Society for free from the publisher through the BookSneeze Review Bloggers Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Names, Games, and the Long Road Trip: Genesis-Exodus, Vol. 1 (MangaBible series)

Genre- Juvenile Nonfiction, Religious, Christian, Comic and Graphic Novels

Names, Games, and the Long Road Trip from the MangaBible Series by Young Shin Lee and illustrated by Jung Sun Hwang

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2007

Number of pages- 160

Age Group- 9-12

Description of book- softcover, list price $6.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-71287-9

Extra- www.zgraphicnovels.com where you can learn more about all the books in the series and also different series.

Names, Games, and the Long Road Trip, is based on Genesis and Exodus and is done in the manga style which leads to the black and white illustrations and speech bubbles telling the story.  No character is left out.  Read about Adam, Eve, Noah and more. 

Please visit these links to learn more about the book and ZGraphic Novels. Here is a Sample of chapter one. Here is an Interview describing ZGraphic Novels.

About the author- Young Shin Lee founded the Korean Cultural Research Center, serves at the Korean Defense Graduate School Church and has a master degree.  He has written The Manhwa Bible in Korean.

 

About the illustrator- Jung Sun Hwang  has drawn for The Manhwa Bible and other books in Korea.  He also has a degree in Architectural Engineering.

 

My thoughts-

I have always avoided reading the ever popular graphic novels, but when I learned that there were Christian graphic novels, I decided I would give them a try.  I really liked what I read and saw in this book.

The graphic novels are in the “manga” style, which is Japanese term for “comic.”  These books are unlike the comics I grew up with as they are published in black and white with strong artwork and emotions in a book format.

I would agree that there is strong artwork and emotions shown in this book using the “manga” style.  I really enjoyed this book, because I could see what the manga style was showing.  I could easily tell who the characters were and how it related to Genesis and Exodus.

I would recommend Names, Games, and the Long Road Trip, because graphic novels are becoming more popular. As graphic novels become more popular it will be more important than ever to have Christian graphic novels for people to read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Happy Easter God

By
Elspeth Campbell Murphy
Published by: Bethany House Publishers
Copyrighted: 2001
Number of pages: 29 pages
Age group: 2-6 years of age
Type of book: Holiday Christian fiction
Physical Description: hardback, square, shiny pages.
About the book: This book begins with a letter to parents discussing the setup of the book. Each group of pages includes a prayer-poem for the child and a Bible verse for the parents to meditate on. The prayer-poems have a variety of topics from chocolate Easter bunnies to the angel outside the empty tomb.
The illustrations were realistically drawn and fun to look at. Everybody has a big smile and we get to know the children by reading their nametags.
About the author: Elspeth Campbell Murphy has written more than 100 books the past years. She is a graduate of Trinity College and Mood Bible Institute. She currently lives in Chicago and received a Gold Medallion award for Do You See Me, God?
What my children thought: My five-year-old son thoroughly enjoyed this book; there was nothing he disliked. I read the Bible verses as well as the prayer-poems to the children and those were his favorite parts, because they were from the Bible. He also liked the pictures because they were shiny. My son thought the funniest picture was of the bunny on a girl’s lap. He highly recommended this book to kids his age. My daughter who is three enjoyed this book as well. There were many things she enjoyed: like the bunny, the children singing, and the Easter egg hunt. Her favorite child was Caroline. The only illustration my daughter didn't like was of the angel. She thought children her age would enjoy the book,
What I liked: I liked the entire book. I enjoyed the addition of the Bible verses for adult readers. I also enjoyed how my son appreciated the Bible verses. I felt invigorated after I read this book. I thought next time I would have my son help me read this book.
What I disliked: There is nothing I disliked.
Do I recommend: Yes, I do. Happy Easter God is a very enjoyable book for both children and adults.

Noah's Ark by Barbara Shook Hazen and Diane Muldrow

The Little Golden Book, Noah’s Ark is by Barbara Shook Hazen and Diane Muldrow and illustrated by Mirceau Catusanu. It was copyrighted in 2003 by Random House Inc. and is 22 pages. The most important theme in this book is that we can and should trust in God.

I liked this story, because it includes much of the information from the Bible, like the raven, who is usually not included. There is a very nice poem about the animals as they go in pairs into the ark.

I thought the illustrations were very good. I did think the eyes on the donkey were too wide. The illustrations in this story show well how Noah and his family are either happy or scared at the appropriate times.

This Noah's Ark is good for children who can pay attention for a longer story as this story has more words than the average Little Golden Book. My four-year-old enjoys this story, but it is just a little long for my two-year-old.

Prayer of the Week

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this day. The weather has certainly been wonderful and you were speaking through the pastor today.

When it is time to read the Bible remind me that your words need not always make sense to me or come out the way I want them to. I will study the word again and again if I must until I understand them and they help me. Also help me remember not to be prideful or arrogant about my understanding.

Thank you for your love and forgiveness. In your name, Amen

Jabez's Prayer

When I was walking around my house looking at our different Christian books I came across one about The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson. In his book Mr. Wilkinson discusses who Jabez is and how the Jabez's prayer has helped him.

Jabez is only mentioned in two verses in the entire Bible. His two verses are from 1 Chronicles 4:9&10. "And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Isreal, saying Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."

Mr. Wilkinson has had a great deal of fortune with this prayer and it has been helping me too. I have change the words so it fits me specifically.

Pray Jabez's prayer and I pray it will help you as it has me.

Mystery of the Homeless Treasure by John Bibee

Mystery of the Homeless Treasure was written by John Bibee and published in 1994. This book is part of the series, The Home School Detectives, and was printed by InterVarsity Press. It is 117 pages long and the age group for this Christian fiction mystery is girls and boys 8-12.

In Springdale, Billy has found a gold cup that was linked to a robbery 30 years ago. Billy, Josh and the other homeschoolers try to solve the mystery and they learn in the end that it is Mr. Craven who was the robber. After the kids find the cup they go see Mr. Finley, the antique dealer, and they find out the cup was a part of a set of goods that were stolen from an auction. The funds were going to be used to be a homeless shelter. A masked man captures Mr. Finley and the cup is stolen. The kids rescue him from an abandoned house. The sheriff gets involved and with the help of the homeless stranger they discover who the third thief was in the robbery thirty years ago. The children, not knowing this, have the help of Molly, a dog, and find the cave with the same dishes as the gold cup. And they figure out with the help of some marked verses in the Bible where the first thief hid the safe. The third thief was most grateful for their help, but fortunately the sheriff came and saved them. The homeless man was not really homeless; he was there to clear his father’s name in the original robbery. Billy, Josh, and the other kids learned what it feels like to help those who are homeless, by finding the auction items that may help to build a shelter.

John Bibee is also the author of Spirit Flyers. He wrote the book with a clear plot line and easily recognized characters. I enjoyed how we did not learn who the homeless man was until the end.

The main issue in this book is that the strong need to help the weak. This book shows that we need to use what we have for those who are less fortunate than we are. The kids were learning from Pastor Brown and the Luke 14 party that it could be fun to be a servant of God.

I liked how the author showed that homeschooling is fun. I also thought it was important how helping the homeless was stressed in the book.

This paperback book has a font size that reads pretty well. I would recommend this story to others, because it is a good mystery and we remember the fun of helping others.

Jesus is My Friend by Linda and Alan Parry

Jesus is My Friend is a cardboard book written and illustrated by Linda and Alan Parry. John Hunt Publishing published it in 1994. It is an easy reader.
Every page of this book begins with, “Jesus is my friend because…” It then mentions different things that Jesus does or teaches, such as loving me. There is a Bible verse at the end of each sentence that gives greater depth to the sentence. This is a good book for all children. It can be read with just the sentence or the verses. The verses can be used as a tool to talk to children more about Jesus. I read just the sentences to my 2-year-old and all of it to my 4-year-old.
This is a book that is wonderfully artistic with a heart-shaped at the top and realistic drawings with mice. The mice are in different poses in each picture. The picture at the bottom stays the same throughout the book.