There’s no story more transformational than the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Children’s author Sally Lloyd-Jones gets it. She understands the power of a story, but more importantly– she understands the power of God’s story through Christ and its ability to transform lives.
You probably know Sally from her wildly popular children’s book, The Jesus Storybook Bible. The JSB is one page after another full of gorgeous illustrations that bring her re-telling of scripture to life in a way that is child-friendly. From beginning to end, the JSB points out God’s plan for His people through Christ and helps kids understand scripture in a big picture kind of way.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Sally a few weeks ago. She told me that her adventurous childhood experiences in the colorful jungles of Africa and her contrasting years at a boarding school in dreary England fueled her passion for writing The Jesus Storybook Bible. She expressed that her passion is for children to understand freedom and adventure and fun that lies within the pages of scripture versus the sometimes boring environment that is created for them in the classroom. And though the JSB is a re-telling of scripture, Sally intends for it to be a tool to help kids understand the richness of God’s plan for their lives.
When asked about the artwork that is such an important part of the JSB, Sally said, I\’m a bit mad about it–I believe that when you seek excellence through art, it serves the story well. One look through any of her books and you won\’t doubt that the illustrators she works with truly are excellent. Some of my personal favorite illustrations are featured in her devotional for kids, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing.
Sally shared that she believes only excellence is good enough for children because the responsibility of shepherding them is so great. She credits excellence in teaching to those who minister to kids on a regular basis. When I asked her to share something with our audience, she said, Don’t try and make the story the lesson. The power of the story is the story. You are doing a great job!
The Jesus Storybook Bible is currently on sale at Lifeway.com.
Thanks for these insights Katie. We have been using the JSB with preschoolers at our church for several years and giving it to new parents when they bring first babies for a child celebration service. I just bought one for my new grandson’s nursery so I can read to him as we rock. Now I found the devotional Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing, that you mentioned. I am excited to share it in my ministry with elementary aged children!!! Sally-Lloyd Jones ministry expands in my world.
Gaylin Stewart, Minister to Children, Rich Fork Baptist Church, Thomasville NC
Thanks for your comment, Gaylin! Really excited for your sweet grandson to be introduced to the stories of Jesus, and also really excited for your elementary kiddos to experience Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing! Thankful for the resources Sally has provided!