We recently had the opportunity to review a new biography series from Barbour Publishing. The Kingdom Files is a non-fiction series that explores Biblical figures. The girls and I were able to read Who Was Jonah? and also Who was Mary, Mother of Jesus?
The Kingdom Files is a new biography series written for kids roughly ages 8 to 12. They draw children into a new time and place, back into Bible Times! There are books written for key figures in Biblical history. Some of the titles include:
- Who Is Jesus?
- Who Was Daniel?
- Who Was David?
- Who Was Esther?
In the title, Who Was Jonah?, your child will be given a Fact File. Information about Jonah, and then they read about his actions, or why we are reading about him. Children are given a new way of looking at the story of Jonah and the Big Fish. It's no longer, 'Well he ran, and then he was swallowed by a big fish'. Who Was Jonah? gives student's a look at why Jonah ran, and how you cannot hide anything from God. He sees all and knows all. All actions and the story is told, with Bible verses marked in each paragraph, so that students can refer to their Bible to compare the accuracy.
The Kingdom Files opens up the Bible and gives kids a new perspective to read from. Throughout the story there are Clue Boxes. Inside these small Clue Boxes are gentle reminders for your child about the behaviors exhibited by Jonah. How he overlooked how God would have helped him, and he should not have been afraid as he was.
At the end of the story is a Power File. This area summarizes Jonah's story and then gives gentle reminders about how student's can avoid taking the same course that Jonah did. In the case of Jonah, it was ensuring we are keeping our trust in God that he will take care of us (even in jobs we do not really want to do).
It is a bonus that you can visit the Barbour Publishing website and they offer free printables to go with their titles. There activity suggestions, crossword puzzles, mapping worksheets, readers theater sheets, and even printable trivia cards. This is all located under the Educator Resource section of their website.
In the story, Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus? , students are introduced to a lesser known but extremely important Biblical figure. The earthly mother of Jesus, Mary. Throughout the first few chapters of this title, students are referred back to the many scriptural prophecies pointing to Jesus life on Earth and to Mary being the mother that God chose to raise him.
The layout of this title is the same as Who Was Jonah? There is a Fact File and follow-up Power Files at the end of the book. Each of these books are written in a story book, non-fiction style. We actually read Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus? as a family as part of our Family Worship since we have been ready the Bible books of Luke and John this summer and studying Jesus life. Even though the boys are older, it worked out well to read this along with our own Bible translation. They stayed interested.
There were not any type of way-out there theories introduced about the years in Jesus' Ministry that Mary is not spoken of. I know there are some weird way out there thoughts about where she was and what was happening. I was very curious if they would make any type of suggestions, and very happy that it really stuck with the Bible.
I love stories similar to this for the kids to read. There are several historical books series and world event series that I encourage the children to read. It makes learning about the historical event come to life for them. I really liked the presentation of the Kingdom Files book series. They are easy to use reference books that make kids feel like they are living in the same time period. I can't wait to order the remainder of the books in the series. They will make a great addition to our Family Worship and even History studies.
Several members of the Homeschool Review Crew were given the opportunity to review The Kingdom Files series from Barbour Publishing. Click on the link below to see how they enjoyed this product in their homes, and their overall opinion of the product.
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