The Illustrated Everyday Bible Companion

Here is a Bible reference book that is easy to get into and enjoyable to read. This work makes an excellent reference tool for beginning Bible students. It contains four types of study aids- Bible dictionary, concordance, handbook, and notes on customs and curiosities.

The textual notes do not provide scholarly commentary, nor do they solve exegetical difficulties. Rather, they provide a summation of every section of verses, giving the basic thrust of the passage.  This will leave you wanting much more explanation, and off you will go to explore reference works that cover subjects in more depth and detail.  

So why bother getting this book?  I think that families with children would derive some benefit from this book. It sort of has the feel of one of those books from DK publishers – the kind of book that explodes with vibrant pictures but also includes a lot of basic information as well.

I think the strength of this book is the choice of excellent illustrations and pictures. Instead of using the same tired old stock photography and fine art, the vast majority of the two hundred illustrations are fresh pictures or rarely seen paintings. There were literally dozens of fine art paintings with biblical subject matter that I have never before seen. The text is laid out in a pleasing manner, and every page is in full color.

Truly this is a user-friendly reference work that will beckon even children to pick it up and enjoy.   I only wish the publisher produced the book in hardback so that it could better sustain the frequent usage will probably receive by those who purchase it.