Children's Illustrated Bible

From Booklist Gr. 4-7. Considering the spectacular graphics of most Dorling Kindersley books, this illustrated Bible may be something of a disappointment. The book combines small photographs with rather listless pastel artwork. The color photos show artifacts, clothing, architecture, and various plants and animals of biblical times, among many other items. The big draw here is not the art, but rather the fluent retellings and the chapters of background information that place the stories in their historical and geographical contexts. Topics include life in Canaan, the land of the New Testament, and the early Church. A comprehensive volume that should find a place on religion shelves. Ilene Cooper