The Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics

Review Quotes:

The Bible, for Christians, is more than a collection of venerable texts; it is a world we inhabit, a cosmos we explore, as riveting as that of the galaxies. Each part must be seen in the light of the whole to reveal its sense. The ancient churches of Christendom made this clear by ordering and juxtaposing Biblical scenes on murals or in glass. Standing within such spaces we see the Bible story as ours, ourselves as part of the story. This wonderful book manages something similar. It is like a portable cathedral. Lovely, telling images and carefully selected texts join in intelligent symphony. I cannot think of a better introduction to the Biblical universe.

This is the Children's Bible I've been looking for, hoping to find, and at long last have to read with my kids. These stories from Scripture, that we all know so well, are presented in the most engaging and visually stunning way that I found even the most familiar parts of the Bible coming to life for me in a new way. This is a storybook Bible for kids that I have found myself using on my own, because it contains what I too need to love the Lord even more: a beautiful presentation of God's Word.

In my favorite prayer corner, I am blessed to have our well-loved and worn children's picture Bible from my childhood. This treasured family heirloom is a vital reminder of the faith traditions my parents gifted to me. I'm delighted by The Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics for its engaging and edifying way of inviting families to know and cherish the greatest stories ever told. Emily Stimpson Chapman and Diana Renzina have combined their gifts and talents to create a beautiful Bible that will enkindle God's love in the heart of everyone who reads it. Phenomenal!

The illustrations alone make this book worth getting--stunning, reverent, full of wonder. But paired with a Christ-centered telling of the Bible as one unified story of God's love? It's the kind of book that will help a lot of young people--and older folks--see, maybe for the first time, the Bible's beautiful, cohesive narrative.

Story of All Stories: Table of Contents

How to Use This Book 12
Introduction 14

The Old Testament
Creation 19
The Fall 25
Cain and Abel 31
Noah and the Ark 37
The Tower of Babel 43
Abram Follows God 49
God's Promise to Abram 55
Abraham and Isaac 61
Jacob and Esau 67
Jacob's Ladder 73
Joseph 79
Moses 85
The Exodus 91
Sinai 97
The Tabernacle 103
The Promised Land and the Bronze Serpent 109
The Fall of Jericho 115
Deborah and the Judges 121
Ruth 127
Hannah and Samuel 133
Saul 139
David and Goliath 145
David, the Ark, and Bathsheba 151
Solomon 157
The Kingdom Falls 163
Elijah 169
The Prophets 175
Jonah 181
Job 187
Tobit 193
Daniel in the Lions' Den 199
Esther 205
The Maccabees 211

The New Testament
The Annunciation and the Visitation 221
The Nativity 227
The Presentation and the Wise Men 233
The Boy Jesus in the Temple 239
John the Baptist 245
The Temptation in the Desert 251
Fishers of Men 259
The Wedding at Cana 265
The Miracles of Healing 271
Nicodemus and the Woman at the Well 277
The Sermon on the Mount 283
Jesus Calms the Storm and Frees a Man from Demons 289
Jairus' Daughter and the Centurion's Servant 295
Parables of the Kingdom 301
The Death of John the Baptist 307
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand 313
Jesus Walks on Water 319
The Bread of Life 325
Keys of the Kingdom 331
The Transfiguration 337
Stories of Forgiveness 343
The Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son 349
Greatness in the Eyes of God 355
Parables of Justice 361
The Good Samaritan 369
Jesus Raises Lazarus 375
Jesus Enters Jerusalem 381
Jesus Cleanses the Temple 387
Judas' Betrayal 393
The Last Supper 399
The Garden of Gethsemane 405
Jesus Before Pilate 411
The Passion, Death, and Burial of Jesus 417
The Risen Lord Appears to Mary Magdalene 425
The Road to Emmaus 431
Jesus Appears to the Disciples 437
The Ascension 443
Pentecost 449
The Ministry of Peter 455
Stephen's Martyrdom and the Conversion of Saul 461
Philip and the Ethiopian 469
Peter's Vision 475
Revelation 481

Reading illustrated story bibles as a family profoundly shaped my faith life in my childhood. I highly recommend this lavishly-illustrated, sensitively retold introduction to salvation history that will help form the imagination of the Church's next generation around what is beautiful, good, and true!

Emily Stimpson Chapman is an award-winning Catholic writer. Her published work includes seven books for adults, plus four books for children (co-authored with Scott Hahn). Emily writes a successful weekly newsletter on Substack, Through a Glass Darkly, and co-hosts the popular podcast Visitation Sessions. She lives in Steubenville, Ohio, with her husband and three young children.

Diana Renzina is a Latvian artist with a background in digital design. She is inspired by nature and folklore and enjoys photography, music, and literature.

Our youth are the most impressionable members of society and with so many voices coming their way, a discerning heart is more important than ever. The saving message of Jesus Christ heard through the Church and Sacred Scriptures provide them with the necessary formation to properly discern between all the voices they hear. The Story of all Stories breaks down barriers that often prevent youth from accessing that saving message. The dynamic narrative style and vivid imagery of this text allows them to truly experience the Word of God and fosters a true encounter with the Lord. Highly recommended.