Animals of the Bible for Young Children

K-Gr 3—Delval paraphrases Scripture passages in a series of abbreviated retellings to make the material accessible to children. She highlights creatures of the land, sea, and air, from the giant fish that swallows Jonah to the tiny ants that "store up food for the winter." Each selection is printed in a large, easy-to-read font and accompanied by a corresponding illustration on the opposite page. The paintings are colorful, sophisticated, and abstract in their composition. Although the stories are cited in an index, and many of the selections flow together in a logical sequence, there are no corresponding Scripture references within the text, and some of the verses seem incongruous and out of place. Also, many of the animals, such as the insects that plagued Egypt or the herd of pigs possessed by demons, appear in a negative light. This collection lacks the celebratory tone of Psalms for Young Children (Eerdmans, 2008). Mary Hoffman's lively and accessible Animals of the Bible (Frances Lincoln, 2002) is a better choice.—Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA