Friday, April 5, 2019

“Night Night Bible Stories: 30 Stories for Bedtime” by Amy Parker and illustrated by Virginia Allyn


Yes!!! This is the perfect nighttime book for fans of Parker and Allyn and for newcomers! My one year old listens intently to the “Night Night” books, and I’m so excited to have something more directly focused on God to read to him at night (and in the day!). 

Besides the vibrant yet gentle illustrations, what makes the “Night Night” books ones to turn to night after night? The calm cadence and rhythmic tone of Parker’s poetic prose. “Night Night Bible Stories: 30 Stories for Bedtime” by Amy Parker and illustrated by Virginia Allyn is easy to read, but far from simple. Each story–including everything from Jonah to Queen Esther to Balaam to Elizabeth and Mary to John’s Revelation–will captivate adults and children because of their detail and melody. Parker’s use of onomatopoeia and dialogue enhance the familiar stories, brining fresh perspective to adults and introducing lots to think about for little ones. 

Each of the 30 story is a few pages long—enough to do the story justice without rambling—and includes full-page color and illustrations. Brilliance shines from every page—in the writing and the pictures! Beneath the title of each story is the Bible book and chapter that the story comes from so readers can read more if they choose to. 

My favorite aspect of this book: twice in each story, Parker includes a short rhyme, set apart in a larger text and colored font. Some examples include “Go, go, Moses, you know what you should do. Go, go Moses—God will be with you!”, “Follow, follow Me! I have good news today! Follow, follow Me! I’ll show you the way!”, and “Don’t worry, Joseph! Didn’t you know? God is with you wherever you go!” Kids’ names could easily be inserted for the Bible characters’ names. These rhymes could also be used as Memory Verses for kids! Each story ends with a prayer and a gentle night night: “Night night, Joseph, who dreamed so big, who chose to trust, who chose to forgive.”
This book is the perfect size to hold in your hands while also holding a little one. Not too big. I absolutely love this book and highly recommend it. The length of the stories, the cadence of the stories, the rhymes, and the illustrations all work together to create a go-to bedtime tradition. 


The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.

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