Night Night Bible Stories by Amy Parker, Illustrated by Virginia Allyn

"Please, Lord, guide me--show me what to do.
Please, Lord, guide me--make me wise like you." (77)

Each Bible story has a repeated two-line rhyming phrase several times throughout, such as the one above from "The World's Wisest King"  (1 Kings 3-4).  The stories each provide relevant background ("the boy David who defeated Goliath grew up to be the king of Israel" (77), for example). The text is all written in an easy to understand, straightforward manner. When fit easily into the story, words are emphasized to add interest, excitement, and sound effects ("Whoosh. Pow. SPLAT.") Virginia Allyn's illustrations do a great job of showing the main points of the story, making it easy for a child to follow along as an adult reads aloud.

As with each story, this one ends with a unique prayer that speaks to the themes of the story: "Thank You, God, for Your great wisdom. Please help me trust that You always know what is best. Amen." (80) At the bottom of the last page of each story, a final rhyming verse reminds the child of that it's time for bed: "Night night, Solomon, who wanted what was best. He asked only for wisdom and let God do the rest." (80). Also signaling this switch is a change in illustrations on the last page of each story that show a child or children, bringing the reader in to the story.

Night Night Bible Stories contains 30 Bible stories written for children and young readers. The stories are split evenly between the Old and New Testaments. The padded cover and small 7x6 trim size is a good fit for little hands. I also liked the use of gold foil on the front cover for the stars and emphasis on "Bible Stories."

Author Amy Parker is on a roll with the "night night" theme, having also written A Night Night Prayer; Night Night, Farm; and Night Night, Train.

The publisher should note the typo on p. 51 where it reads "gong" instead of "going," should this book be reprinted in the future.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but was not required to post a positive review.