I skipped school to read this (Moral: get this for your grandkids!)

“Excuse me, do you have a book that I can read aloud to my younger kids and they can look at the pictures? I want something about Jesus.”

I glanced up from the stack of books that I was rearranging on the table of a busy Catholic homeschool conference to see a woman with her three kids, all under the age of ten.

“Um,” I glanced around the table, I didn’t really see anything that fit that criteria. In fact, I couldn’t really think of anything we sold that fit that criteria. “I’ll see what I can find.”

The lady soon went away with Read-Aloud Book of Bible Stories (amazing book by the way, you can buy it here). She was happy, but I wasn’t really, not yet at least. Don’t get me wrong: that is a great read-aloud & it will definitely engage little minds (always loved it as a child and so did my siblings). But no pictures, just wonderful and thought-provoking words.

A few months after this occurrence I had completely forgotten about it. Until we got a new shipment of books on Thursday, and my dad handed this book to me: Who is Jesus? His Life, His Land, His Time. Though I was at first hesitant (he gave a picture book–to me?), I was quickly convinced otherwise. I ended up bringing this book home with me, and instead of finishing up my school (sorry, Mom!), I skipped school and finished the book, sitting on the floor of my room. I am a 15 and sophomore in high school, and this book, though it’s meant for kids ages 4 and up, was enough to make me put off my homework! 

This is NOT your average book about Jesus, sentimental and sweet. This is a book that describes the kind of world Jesus lived in, what it was like to grow up in small village, to have Mary and Joseph as parents. But this book also goes deeper than that. It explains the Laws of Moses, the difference between the Zealots, Pharisees, and Sadducees, (Can you explain the difference between these groups of people and why it helps comprehend why Jesus replied to them very differently when they questioned Him? I didn’t–until I read this book!)  It helps us understand JESUS and what He did and WHY!

But also the really incredible thing about this book is that is is easy to follow–and it’s filled with tons of pictures!

It has incredible artwork, with an average of three to five pictures per page! It also is filled (and I mean filled) with interesting facts. For example, one of the things that they mention is that during the feeding of the 5,000, when Jesus turned five loaves of bread into enough to feed 5,000 people, the book says that “the number 5 relates to something holy, consecrated by God.” This explains the importance of the 5 loaves and the 5,000 people. Not many people would know that…unless they read this book.

Just a few things you’ll learn:

• Do you know the difference between the four primary Jewish factions (and how the Scribes fit in)? (Pg. 50)
• The significance and importance of all the woman who followed Jesus in the Gospels? (Pg. 56)
• The meaning of the word “Apostle”? (Pg. 52)
• Can you name/describe any of the important Jewish holidays/feast days? (Pg. 61)
• What the Menorah is and what it is used for? (Pg. 81)
• Why Jesus would always use sowers, shepherds, and agriculture in his parables? (Pg. 58)
• Why Jews wouldn’t associate with foreigners–and it was not racism? (Pg. 43)
• What it would have been like to follow the Law of Moses and be a Jew during Jesus’ time (including the 39 things which were forbidden on the Sabbath)? (Pg. 30 and 75)
• What a Jewish burial, and what Jesus’ burial, would have been like? (Pg. 90)

This book is brand new and will sell out quickly–so buy quickly! It’s perfect for a Christmas present, considering how Christmas is about the birth of Christ! Get this for your grandchildren and Godchildren and nieces and nephews, even those whose parents might not be practicing the Faith. This book is sure to educate and interest all of these children…and I have no doubt that the adults who read it aloud will learn something, too!

And there’s now a SECOND book–Life of Jesus According to St. Luke! Therese wrote a blog post about that book too!