This book is beautifully illustrated which helps the story come to life, especially for children. It is clearly not exact word for word from the Bible but more of an enhancement based on the true story told in the Bible. Readers should know that some license has been taken to fill in the "holes" of the story with feelings, environment, and things the people might have said and/or done. This is called Biblical Fiction. It's a great way to help make the Bible relatable which often brings greater understanding and deepen one's faith, possibly even helping an unbeliever find faith. I love this book and think teachers and parents will enjoy reading this with the children in their lives!

The New Testament stories in this book are meant to be told not read. The introduction gives a few tips for use in a congregational setting. Each story has ideas for engaging listeners. I appreciate that the stories stay fairly close to the biblical text, one exception being the Good Samaritan told from the donkey's perspective.

As a children's pastor, I appreciate that the author avoids both the violent details of the crucifixion and interpreting the meaning of Jesus death. "The nailed him to it and raised it high in the air." These scripts would be useful for those who lead children's chapels or intergenerational worship.

Though it is a book to be told the interior watercolor illustrations are attractive - in my opinion they are better than the cover illustrations.

Rob James has simplified 50 New Testament stories of Jesus' life and ministry, in storytelling manner. The retellings are designed for new and experienced storytellers. Practical Ideas for telling the story at the end of each narrative offer ideas to get children actively involved, bring ing the text alive. This is a good resource for beginning storytellers.

The stories and suggestions for interactions are fantastic, but unfortunately, the illustrations are not very good and even block the text from being legible at some points. With better illustrations, we’d absolutely add this to our shelf!

Fifty New Testament Stories for Storytellers
by Rob James - a book review
Rob is a storyteller - that's for sure. The stories are well written. Their antecedents are seen in the stories; Rob gives credit to Bob Hartman for some of the inspiration of the book. It has to be said that Dave & Lynn Hopwood must also be in the line preceding these stories.
The Five Kings stands out as a memorable story - surely there were three kings - but the five include Herod and Jesus. There has been thought put into the titling and the setting out of the stories. Occasionally the art takes over and it is in this space I wonder is the book trying too hard to be more than what it is.
It is a collection of stories based on the biblical text of the New Testament. At the same time it gives storytelling tips to include the whole audience/ congregation and it is beautifully illustrated as if it were a book to be read at say bedtime.
Buy the book - read the stories - pastors > use them in services - parents > read them with your children.

This book explains the passages in the New Testament as if they were being told to a group of children with suggested actions for the children to do.
The story about the three wise kings uses illustrations to tell the story to help children realize they all came from far away.
The words that are used to tell the stories are on a childs' level so they are not confused by unfamiliar words.
It was a good idea to warn the children about the story that details Jesus' death.
I did not like the picture that was used to illustrate Jesus being tempted by the devil as it showed too much skin and a snakelike form at the bottom.