The Children's Bible by Henry A. Sherman and Charles Foster Kent

(18 User reviews)   7595
Kent, Charles Foster, 1867-1925 Kent, Charles Foster, 1867-1925
English
Ever tried reading the Bible to a kid and watched their eyes glaze over? That's what makes 'The Children's Bible' so special. It's not just a simplified version—it's a thoughtful retelling from 1922 that treats young readers with respect. Sherman and Kent took the core stories and presented them in clear, straightforward language, removing the parts they felt were too complex or mature for children. It's a fascinating window into how people a century ago thought kids should be introduced to faith, history, and big ideas. Perfect for curious parents, teachers, or anyone interested in the history of children's literature and religious education.
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was still unformed, God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then God separated the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day and the darkness Night. And there was an evening and a morning, making the first day. And God said, "Let there be a sky and let it divide the waters that are below from the waters that are above the sky." And it was done. And God called the sky the Heavens. And there was an evening and a morning, making the second day. And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be brought together, and let the dry land appear." And it was done. And God called the dry land Earth and the waters that were brought together Seas. And God saw that it was good. And God said, "Let plants and trees grow from the earth." And it was done. And plants and trees grew from the earth, each plant bringing forth its own kind of seed and each tree its own kind of fruit, and God saw that it was good. And there was an evening and a morning, making the third day. And God said, "Let there be lights in the heavens to separate the night from the day. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, the days, and the years. Let them be lights in the heavens to light the earth." And it was done. So God made the two great lights (the sun and the moon): the greater to rule the day and the lesser to rule the night. God made the stars also and placed them in the heavens to throw light upon the earth. And God saw that it was good. And there was an evening and a morning, making the fourth day. And God said, "Let the waters bring forth many living creatures and let birds fly above the earth and in the sky." And God made large sea-monsters and all kinds of living creatures with which the waters abound, and all kinds of birds. And God saw that it was good. And he blessed them, saying, "Increase and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was an evening and a morning, making the fifth day. And God said, "Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures, cattle and creeping things and wild beasts." And it was done. So God made all the different kinds of wild beasts, and the cattle, and everything that crawls upon the ground. And God saw that it was good. And God said, "Let us make man like ourselves. Let him rule over the fish in the sea, the birds of the sky, the cattle, the wild beasts and all the living things that crawl upon the ground." And God made man like himself, like God he made him. He made them male and female. And God blessed them, and said to them, "Have children, increase, live all over the earth, and conquer it; rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that crawls upon the ground." And God said, "See, to you I give every plant which grows on all the earth, and every tree which bears fruit with its own kind of seed. It shall be food for you. And to every wild beast and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that crawls on the earth and is alive, I give every green...

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First published in 1922, 'The Children's Bible' is exactly what it sounds like, but with a unique early-20th-century twist. Authors Henry Sherman and Charles Foster Kent, both biblical scholars, didn't just shorten the stories. They carefully selected passages from the Old and New Testaments and rewrote them in clear, modern English for the time. Their goal was to give children the key narratives—from Creation and Noah's Ark to the life of Jesus—without the more complicated laws, genealogies, or passages they deemed unsuitable for young minds.

Why You Should Read It

What's really compelling is seeing the choices they made. This book shows us what two experts, a century ago, believed was essential for a child's spiritual foundation. It's a snapshot of parenting and educational values from the 1920s. Reading it today, you might agree with some edits and raise an eyebrow at others. It sparks great conversations about how we pass down cultural and religious stories to the next generation.

Final Verdict

This is a gem for parents curious about different ways to introduce biblical stories, for teachers studying the evolution of children's books, or for history fans who enjoy primary sources. It's not a contemporary children's Bible with bright pictures, but a thoughtful, historical artifact. You're not just reading Bible stories; you're reading a 100-year-old conversation about childhood, faith, and storytelling.



⚖️ Copyright Free

This title is part of the public domain archive. It is available for public use and education.

Donald Williams
9 months ago

To be perfectly clear, the clarity of the writing makes this accessible. I will read more from this author.

Dorothy Jones
9 months ago

I was skeptical at first, but the storytelling feels authentic and emotionally grounded. Highly recommended.

Daniel Sanchez
1 year ago

Great read!

William Moore
1 month ago

Great reference material for my coursework.

Matthew Thomas
1 year ago

Recommended.

5
5 out of 5 (18 User reviews )

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