Book Review: Read and Share: Stories about Jesus by Gwen Ellis, Illustrated by Steve Smallman

My daughter and I read through the Read and Share Stories about Jesus book by Gwen Ellis, illustrated by Steve Smallman today.   This is a large board book written for Children ages 1-4.  It has 13 Bible stories about Jesus and after each story one or two questions are asked.  Also, under each title, the Scripture reference is listed of where the stories are located in the Bible.  The stories that are included in this book are: 

God's Baby Son Grows Up                       John Baptizes Jesus

Jesus Heals a Sick Boy                             Jesus Brings a Girl Back to Life

Jesus Walks on the Water                          Jesus Loves Children

A Very Short Man                                     A Blind Man Sees Again

Jesus Stops a Storm                                  One Lost Sheep

A Coin in a Fish                                       One Man Says Thank You

Jesus Goes to Heaven  

I think the illustrator did a great job with the art for this book.  His art was appealing and captured the attention of my lively two year old.   I like the fact that it is a large board book since little ones have a hard time being careful with thin pages.  The pages are really easy to turn for little hands, and the book should hold up for quite a while.  The questions at the end of the stories are a great idea to get children thinking and not just reading another story.  Many of the questions make them think about what it would be like if they had been right there with Jesus.
Some of the stories and questions could be too old for the intended reader.  The second story in the book is about Jesus' baptism.  The question then asked is, "Have you been baptized?"  Children ages 1 to 4 will have a hard time comprehending the full impact of baptism.  There is also no mention of belief in Christ before one can be baptism.  I would rate it as okay, but not outstanding. 

***I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. The opinions I have expressed are my own.