Classic Bible Storybook: A Review

Our family was blessed with the opportunity to review the Classic Bible Storybook written by Kenneth N. Taylor and published by Tyndale House Publishers- Thanks, Christy!

This beautifully illustrated book contains over 100 Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments. Both the children and I enjoyed reading from this Bible storybook as part of bedtime ritual.

The Classic Bible Storybook has several unique features that made it a big hit with our family:

• Warm, charming, realistic illustrations. We find that some modern Bibles with their cartoon-like illustrations are distracting and perplexing.  For me, unrealistic, silly or exaggerated illustrations subtly convey a message that undermines the holiness of the Bible.
• The 121 Bible stories include some that are not commonly found in children's Bible story books.  Job, Paul's Epistles and Revelation are included in the book's material at a level that children can easily understand.
• Short review questions, usually 3 or 4 of them, are featured after each story to aid in comprehension and retention of the important elements of each story.  My children especially love this feature and each tries to answer as fast as he or she can, game-show style, to see who can answer first.  Mom is gratified because she can tell that the kids are listening carefully to the story and the kids have fun.
• Not too "dumb-downed".  The stories often use the same language found in the Bible and they avoid irreverent paraphrases.  At the same time, the language used is certainly not too difficult for most children and this level gives the children an opportunity to ask questions when they do not understand something, helping them to learn.

Kenneth Taylor is a gifted writer of Bible stories for children and his stories have been read to three generations of children around the world, including his own ten children.

I believe the Classic Bible Storybook is a book that you and your children or grandchildren will enjoy reading over and over for years.  We continue to enjoy it nightly. It would make a wonderful Easter gift or surprise in a child's Easter basket.

Click below to find out more or purchase from Christian Book Distributors.

Classic Bible Storybook

Switched On Schoolhouse Reviews

Homeschool curriculum reviews can help you make decisions about curriculum choices. I have had a lot of reader interest about the Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum by Alpha Omega so I received permission from CBD to reprint reviews here on my blog. I hope you find these helpful:

Switched-On Schoolhouse Third Grade

Average Rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)

3 of 3 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Dustin Millican (New Castle, CO), October 29, 2008

I have been impressed so far, with the level of detail and the depth of resource provided. Dustin
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deana Lyon (Poulsbo, WA), October 02, 2008

We just started to use this curriculum last week, so far we are very happy with it. The shipping was very quick, I asked for priority and got it in 2 days.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rosaida Thomas (Port Saint Lucie, FL), September 15, 2008

This program is working for us, the kids are enjoying the curriculum. It is a bit needy in the beginning but once you get used to making some daily reviews and adjustments "way less than a textbook curriculum" you'll find that the convenience of having things kept in order and in one place for every subject is nice. I also like that it encourages them to be detail oriented.

Switched-On Schoolhouse Fourth Grade

4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Theresa Blankenship (Highlands, NJ), September 01, 2008

They changed the OS this year, frustrating for those of us w/more that one child using the software (4 laptop upgrades on top of the software cost, 3 grades purchased). The tech support could be better, I still can't get it to burn to cd to save, so I have to leave everything on the computer and hope it doesn't get lost. Tech says to talk to "my tech dept." - that would be me! Would I recommend it - yes, if you are computer savvy and have a newer computer to use.

Switched-On Schoolhouse Sixth Grade

Average Rating:
5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)

3 of 3 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Michelle Terwey (Juniata, NE), August 14, 2008

Excellent. My son likes it so much he started his school work early this year. So easy to use and very user friendly.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Patrick Goodwin (Hiddenite, NC), July 07, 2008

This is very user friendly and does a fine job in teaching my child.The only reason it did not get five stars is because I always have to get a new science disk in order to get it to load. Other than that I really like this product.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Patrick Goodwin (Hiddenite, NC), May 29, 2008

We've been using switched on schoolhouse for a couple of years and really like the program.very easy to use and install and my child gets good results when she has to do the end of year test.My child says it is easy for her to use and she is 11 years old.

Switched-On Schoolhouse Ninth Grade

Average Rating:
4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)

3 of 5 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lloyd Anderson (Big Sandy, TX), November 07, 2008

We have just begun the SOS curricula but so far we are very impressed. We have found the structure of the subject sets to be clear in content and systematic in approach which leads to better understanding by the student. As for now, we intend to continue using the SOS program.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Todd Gerig (Fort Wayne, IN), October 08, 2008

Our 9th grader is doing fabulously with this curriculum. It was a wonderful experience for us to overhear him explaining something detailed he had learned in science to one of his public school friends that had not yet learned that information. We would caution parents, however, to be careful to include a writing course in your students curriculum.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Cathy Flight (IL), September 16, 2008

I have only been using this software for a couple of weeks now, but I do like it so far. My son has not complained about it either, so that is a good thing. I feel he will learn alot from it.

Switched-On Schoolhouse Tenth Grade

4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Gene Fend (Concord CA), June 26, 2008

While not perfect, the SOS program is challenging and keeps the interest of the students. Two years with over 25 students has shown a more realistic development in their studies that other curriculum we have used in the past.

If you are interested in purchasing Switched-On Schoolhouse, do not forget that CBD is offering free shipping on SOS to US addresses. Click below to find out more:

Switched-On Schoolhouse FREE SHIPPING from CBD

Curriculum Reviews Wanted

Filed under: curriculum reviews

This e-mail came to me from fellow homeschooling mom, Carletta Sanders:

I am the editor of a website, Successful Homeschooling, and I am currently running a contest on my website where homeschoolers can earn free books by telling others about their favorite curriculum. I am building a database of reviews that homeschoolers can use when choosing curriculum.

Although Carletta has received over 200 entries so far, she has not received many for reviews for traditional curriculum so she is especially looking for those. All other reviews are still welcome as well.

Let's help Carletta build her database of homeschool curriculum reviews.

Go to Successful-Homeschooling.com to leave your reviews today!