The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross Storybook: The true story of why Jesus died and rose again (Illustrated Bible overview/ gospel explanation. ... for Easter.) (Tales that Tell the Truth)

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At first I didn't think I'd get along with it as the Eden story is introduced in quite a literal fashion (As in, "a long time ago, on this earth, there was a garden...") but I suppose for a children's book, that's OK, even if most Christians I know would probably believe in the Genesis account as symbolic and a "why" rather than a "how" story. Together with The Garden, The Curtain and The Cross storybook, these full colour, full size illustrations allow you to read the story while showing the pictures on screen.

The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross is basic, short Biblical theology geared toward young children but captivating enough for older children as well. I loved the way my four year was fascinated with the illustrations and even keep pace with the story itself. My eight year old was engaged with the details of the Temple and the curtain. It was a great learning tool, especially helpful right before Easter.The book is a great read and a great conversation starter with your children. It is the gospel clear and simple. My kids loved and so will yours. The first few panels set up the central conflict. Adam and Eve live in perfection in the Garden. (Sidenote: they are illustrated with tribal tattoos and drawings which is just lovely and thought-provoking.) But then they do a terrible thing. They decided they didn’t want to do what God said. They decided they wanted a world without God in charge. This, Laferton writes, is called “sin.” And because of that sin, the people could not live with God in the garden any longer. And whenever somebody asks me for a practical example of those four guidelines, I inevitably point them toward Tales that Tell the Truth. There are currently ten books in the series (the latest upcoming June 2020) along with a variety of supplemental materials like coloring books that accompany each volume. The series has a variety of authors with illustrator Catalina Echeverri providing a cohesive stylistic design.

God did not initiate a request for a temple to house Himself but David wanted to build one; David had it in his heart. God said, “Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day.” (2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles) It is a very simple re-telling of the story of creation, the curtain in the temple, and the cross but is done in a way that is very clear and covers many plot points in the one story of redemption. The text of the book tells the meta-narrative of the Bible by focusing on (as the title indicates) the Garden of Eden, God's presence in the temple of ancient Israel, and God's presence through Jesus. Sin is clearly defined and the purpose of Christ's death on the cross is explained. These six Sunday School lessons, based on the bestselling storybook The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross, take kids on a journey through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, thrilling them with God's loving determination for his people to enjoy life with him. Children's Christian books/Bible books might seem easy (it's just the usual stories, right?) but they're actually very difficult to get right. Do you make God cuddly or powerful? How much blood and gore do you include? And, crucially, how much do they make the gospel message a "hard sell"?My wonderful daughter (age 3) has for a long time struggled with what Jesus was put through - spat upon, tortured and ridiculed. When she read this again with her God Mother I heard her say 'it's okay - it was always in the plan'. The way the story is relayed offered a wonderful assurance for her and I do believe that she now understands that this sacrifice made by God of His son was ok - in the plan - and allowed life and life in abundance. The illustrations in this book are stunning. They're beautifully nuanced, colorful, detailed, and full of life. I’ve read a lot of children’s Bible storybooks. I’ve never read one that put the curtain of the Holy of Holies into central focus. And yet, it’s that veil that serves as a visual metaphor for the separation between God and humanity due to sin. As such, it’s the perfect visual focus point for an illustrated children’s bible story book.