“The Biggest Story” ~ Review & Giveaway!

We just finished the most gorgeous book I have seen in a long time.

The Biggest Story, authored by Kevin DeYoung and illustrated by Don Clark, is a 10-chapter picture book that tells the story of Christ in the Bible—from Genesis in the Old Testament all the way though Revelation in the New Testament.  And it is fantastic for both parents and children alike….and even teens!

Sometimes even those deeply familiar with the Bible can have difficulty tracing the story of God’s redemption all the way through both Testaments.  But did you know that the story of Jesus actually starts at the very beginning of the Bible?  Of course readers of the gospel of John know that Jesus was present and active in Creation.  But as we read Genesis, we learn that His first actual mention in the Bible is as a promise, given at the desperate moment when Eve’s and Adam’s sin (not to mention the snake’s craftiness and deception) are brought to light, and discipline is being administered.  God says to the snake:

“Cursed are you above all the livestock
and all the wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.
And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
–Genesis 3:14b-15

And here, for the first time, we’re introduced to the Snake Crusher; the Promised One who will crush the head of the serpent; who’ll restore fellowship between man and God.

I’ve never exactly thought of the Bible as a detective story.  And yet, like a mystery, hints of the Snake Crusher, the Promised One, are tucked here and there all throughout the Old Testament.  But the reader must have eyes to see them!  In The Biggest Story, DeYoung and Clark point them out for us, with succinct retellings of the Biblical text and incredible artwork that expresses this theme.  In the 10 chapters of this book, we see the Snake Crusher, or man’s need for him, represented in the following:

• the Garden
• Noah and the Flood
• the Tower of Babel
• Abraham’s life and the promise of Isaac
• The 12 tribes
• Moses and the Exodus
• Israel’s kings
• Israel’s prophets
• and so much more, all the way up to the New Testament

So….why should you read The Biggest Story?

The paintings in the book are simply spectacular; Clark’s folk-artish style recalls the order and beauty of Pennsylvania Dutch designs melded with the rich retelling of Scripture accounts.  Simply put, Clark’s work is a feast for the eyes and the heart.  Not only is there exquisite art on each and every page, the art itself will speak to readers and help them as they hear the story of the Snake Crusher.

DeYoung’s recounting of the promises of the Christ is interwoven with man’s evident need for a Savior, as experienced again and again by the men and women of the Bible.  With clarity and brevity, God’s provision and deliverance over and over are retold.

Perhaps best of all, The Biggest Story doesn’t just point us to the promises of Scripture.  No, DeYoung and Clark remind us that in the birth, life and death of Jesus, the promises were indeed fulfilled!  And not only that, the day is coming where every tear will be wiped away, and even more, Jesus will restore and create a new beginning!

The Biggest Story belongs on every bookshelf, whether your interest is in finding a wonderful devotional or fantastic art that points to Scripture.  It will delight your heart and encourage your spirit…and awaken anew the hope of the Gospel.

Not too shabby for a picture book.

If you’d like a chance to win your own copy of the incredible The Biggest Story, you can enter the Rafflecopter below!  FlyBy Promotions is going to bless one of my readers with his or her own copy.  Just enter below!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

Enjoy!  –Wren