The Jesus Storybook Bible Collector's Edition

I can tell you from the original edition of [b:The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name 165068 The Jesus Storybook Bible Every Story Whispers His Name Sally Lloyd-Jones http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344715720s/165068.jpg 159378] that I loved it. The Curriculum Kit I saw contained the same Bible book as the original. I assumed that this was also the case with the [b:Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition With CD (Audio) 6314939 Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition With CD (Audio) Sally Lloyd-Jones http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348920951s/6314939.jpg 159378] but I realize now that I think I'm wrong and that one is similar to the Collector's Edition. I think the difference between the Deluxe and the Collector's Editions is that the Collector's Edition comes with a DVD with the whole Storybook Bible narrated with animations. With all of that excitement, however today I have two more exciting and different editions. I have heard of a larger read-aloud version but I have not seen it. Today I can tell you that I am ooh-and-ahh-ing over a Collector's Edition. The same size as the original, the same size book as [b:The Rhyme Bible Storybook 13700689 The Rhyme Bible Storybook Linda J. Sattgast http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344713178s/13700689.jpg 1139835] (2012 ed), but this one is in a box like [b:Sweetest Story Bible Deluxe Edition: Sweet Thoughts and Sweet Words for Little Girls 13700744 Sweetest Story Bible Deluxe Edition Sweet Thoughts and Sweet Words for Little Girls Diane Stortz http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344706216s/13700744.jpg 10451244] that includes a sleeve of discs. The discs included with The Jesus Storybook Bible Collector's Edition are three CDs and one DVD. In comparison with [b:The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Kit 11370519 The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Kit Sally Lloyd-Jones http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344686823s/11370519.jpg 16301504] these are the same CDs as far as I can tell with the whole Bible storybook audio narration but it is the DVD that is different. With the curriculum kit it was a DVD-Rom. Use it on your computer and access curriculum supplies. This is just a DVD movie with the video files, but with one major improvement in a “play all” feature! When my daughter would want to watch her Bible Stories and I had to go through the menu select and repeat this action after every 1-3 minutes of animation it got old really quickly. Now there is the option to just let her watch it through or I can still choose a specific chapter and video. The hardcover Bible book itself is also different from what I knew in the original JSB Bible Storybook alone and with the Kit. This is not the glossy colorful full of illustrations one. This looks to me like picture I have seen of the larger read aloud edition (in image, not size). It is the perfect small size, but it's simple. There is a burgundy spine with the name, author/illustrator, publisher and collector's edition and the cover has a medallion with the image of Jesus surrounded by a simple and elegant marbled ivory. The back cover is void of any adornment except a text ISBN at the bottom, just ivory and burgundy. The interior appears to be all the same that I am familiar with except the front and back pages attached to the covers are an attractive burgundy instead of a light blue/white and there is a fabulous ribbon bookmark attached. :)As for the Bible material itself... How do I even begin? Ok, let's start with the Bible. The Jesus Storybook Bible is enchanting and unlike any storybook Bible I have experienced thus far (and trust me, I've seen a few!). Every single story in this storybook Bible points to Jesus. From the creation and Adam and Eve's fall, Jesus is the solution. In the building of the Tower of Babel, Jesus is the answer. When Abraham leads his son Isaac to the alter, Christ is the lamb promised. Every story, every parable, every word comes down to Jesus Christ from the beginning and all the way until the end. It is solid in a Biblical foundation and traces everything to redemption through Jesus.Reading through the physical Bible is an experience with the vivid illustrations that definitely interest a child (any anyone's mind). But there is so much more... listening to the audio version of the Bible is enchanting. David Suchet (reminds me of Jim Dale) reads with such voices that bring the characters off the page. We've found that you can read along, or just listen in the background – maybe during breakfast or getting ready for a nap. The beginning segment states is all and brings it to life.“No, the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne—everything—to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!You see, the best thing about this Story is—it's true...[It's a] Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.”It makes my heart smile! If the Bible wasn't already fabulous, and then the audio version even cooler, why not try to video version. In the DVD, there are 44 short clip storybook animations to go along with the text. These are AppleBlossom's favorite right now. She goes back and forth between asking to listen to the Bible or watch the Bible. How can you turn down that request?!This Bible is the first children's storybook Bible that I have found that doesn't go too far in watering down the stories. It tells the harsh truth in certain circumstances but always brings it back around to the hope and joy that we can have in the love of the Lord. When I first started looking into The Jesus Storybook Bible I read a few reviews that mentioned a child being frightened of God not loving him after reading of Adam and Even thinking to themselves in question of whether God loved them once they had eaten the apple. The reviewer was adamant that it was from reading this Bible that her child developed an insecurity complex. But if she had read the whole story, and not just stopped while the going was tough then the reassurance that God does love us, will always love us and always be there because he loves us would shine through. (And I don't just mean the WHOLE storybook – I mean each and every individual story, because every single one shines out his love and glory).While with any change and Bible translation or novelization different readers can find flaw in interpretations and cause a fuss. My overall opinion is that the main message is there. Sure as your child grows and uses this and other Bibles they can learn about all the various elements and sides of God. Yet for what it is, this it the most detailed Bible with more stories and situations that I have seen thus far in a early elementary age and younger Bible storybook and I do recommend it. Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review.Now I am super excited about the Collector's Edition, but let's step it up just a bit more so I can tell you about my complete elation for the leather bound version ([b:The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name 13700772 The Jesus Storybook Bible Every Story Whispers His Name Sally Lloyd-Jones http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1351145313s/13700772.jpg 159378]).posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2012/12/18/the-jesus-storybook-bible-collectors-edition/