Review: Bible Basics by Danielle Hitchen

One of my favorite ways to teach my daughter about faith is by reading to her. For this reason, I'm always on the lookout for clever faith-related children's books.

Bible Basics: A Baby Believer Counting Primer by Danielle Hitchen, illustrated by Jessica Blanchard is one such book. It's a board book, making it the perfect book for my 22-month old daughter to interact with right now. She can look through it on her own without me having to worry about ripped pages. 

If you have a little one, you know that people write counting books about anything and everything. Bible Basics is a counting book about faith and in that respect, it's very clever. You count some of the basic theological ideas within Christianity. For example: There is one God, two natures of Jesus, and three persons of the Trinity.

Each two-page spread contains the number that's being counted, a short and relevant Scripture passage or quote, and then a beautiful illustration that in the tradition of counting books, you can count. 

As a parent, I love this book. As I teach my daughter to count, why not integrate Bible Basics in and amongst her other counting books? 

As a youth worker, I must admit there are elements of this book that seem at odds with the developmental level you'd expect of a toddler looking at a board book. The quotes and Scripture passages are not written in the most toddler-friendly language. Much of what's being counted are abstract theological concepts that baffle many adults. 

Perhaps, though, that's the point. Maybe teaching children these abstract concepts – in the same way we begin to teach them the abstract notion of counting – helps give them the foundation for a deep faith they can continue to build on as they grow.

Despite these concerns, I'm glad we own this book. It's one we'll use often to count and begin exploring faith. Any parent interested in doing both these things will appreciate Bible Basics, which would also make a lovely gift for an infant baptism.

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I'm giving away a copy of Bible Basics to one lucky winner. To be entered to win Bible Basics, leave a comment telling us about one way you teach your child about faith. A winner will be drawn from those who comment on Friday, April 7. 

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Disclosure: I received a free copy of Bible Basics in exchange for a fair and honest review.