Monday, October 6, 2014

'Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times' by Kelly Pulley (Review & Giveaway)

About the book: The Magnificent Tales series are fun to read out loud, rhyming Bible stories with amazing art and clear lessons. Parents and grandparents won't cringe when asked to read these stories over for the one-hundredth time. Vibrant illustrations that even today's media-deluged kids will find entertaining.

Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical TImes contains a collection of engaging Bible stories that have been written in fun-to-read rhyme and meter with a bit of humor mixed in. These are stories that the whole family will enjoy, so parents and grandparents won't grow tired of reading and re-reading them night after night. The humorous, contemporary illustrations will keep even kids from the Sponge Bob Square Pants generation laughing out loud while they learn important biblical messages. 


This shows how Kelly Pulley develops his illustrations.
First the line drawings and then he colors them in.

My thoughts:  A number of years ago I encountered my first exposure to the use of cartoons to share the Gospel in the form of a tract. I had mixed feelings then because I feared the trivialization of God's Word was not treating it with the reverence and respect that should be accorded to it. I have, however, since then realized that there are many ways to share God's Word and different people have varied ways to learn and respond. So I therefore have tried to relax my personal views a bit.

Kelly Pulley is an author and illustrator whose work I have previously reviewed and enjoyed. So it is with pleasure that I am sharing this Treasury of Bible Stories that he has created.


As you can see from the shared pages depicted here, his art is colorful and very expressive while humorous and beguiling. Children will love these pictures. They make the stories come alive and fun for the children. While engaging for children, it is the parent's responsibility to also convey the serious nature of God's Word and that it is not to be taken lightly.


Nature of some of the text of stories.....

He cried, "I am Joseph! There's no need to fear!"
Joseph wept, and he asked that his brothers come near.

"Don't be worried by things in the past, for time's shown

they were part of a plan only God could have known.

"God made good out of things that were bad, so it seemed,

by giving His guidance through dreams that were dreamed."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
Now Haman was known as the king's right-hand guy,

The people all bowed as he strutted on by.

They kneeled in respect,

which made Haman feel great!

But Mordecai wouldn't,

which filled him with hate!
I personally still prefer more "life like" illustrations without the cartoon characterization, but accept that this form of story telling and art can certainly get the job done and do it well.
 
GIVEAWAY:  One of Chat With Vera's readers is going to receive their own copy of Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times. Will it be you? Use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Begins October 7 & ENDS October 30 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the author: Born in Indiana, Kelly Pulley has called Middle Tennessee home for the past sixteen years. He began his career as a graphic artist in a leading sportswear screen-printing company in his hometown. He remained in that industry for seventeen years before taking a full-time position illustrating the Beginner's Bible series of books. Currently, he works from home freelance illustrating as well as writing and illustrating children's picture books. When he's not working, he's spending time with his four children or riding his bicycle, enjoying the beautiful Middle TN countryside. 


Read more reviews of Rhythmical Rhymes of Biblical Times here
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse in exchange for this review. Opinion expressed are solely my own. No compensation was received for this review.

13 comments:

  1. My daughters and I would work the nursery at church. It was such a wonderful bonding time. I got to watch them flourish and become the amazing women they have now grown in to. My youngest daughter has a gift for working with disabled children. My oldest is wonderful with older children, and my middle child is just like me. She knows just what special way to work with the one and two year olds. I wish I could have those days back.

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  2. Kelly is from Wabash, IN and while in high school, got a job at The Shirt Shed

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  3. I have taught sunday school for over 38 years and about 15 of those Years were spent with preschoolers. Although I can't recall a specific example, I was always amazed at their eagerness to learn and their ability to "soak the stories up" even when I thought They weren't paying attention. I now have an infant granddaughter and I want her to grow up hearing God's word through Bible stories. Thank you for this giveaway!

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  4. I learned the author did crafts from an early age learning from his mom who is artistically gifted. I also learned he worked for a screen printing company.

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  5. Rhyme is always so much fun and from your review it sounds like the author did an exceptional job with the Bible stories. Definitely going to pick up a copy to share with my grandsons.

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  6. I learned that Kelly Pulley's father was a WWII bomber pilot and his mother was artistically gifted.

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  7. Last Christmas, I decided to buy a nativity set to act out the story of Jesus's birth from the book of Luke. After I read the story, it was fun to watch my kids act it out with the nativity dolls.

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  8. I love rhyming books so much, but I'm with you on prefering more realistic illustrations for Bible stories. This Bible does seem like it will bless many though. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com this week! I always enjoy your reviews and interviews!
    Tina

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  9. I have done nursery at two different churches since I was twelve, It is amazing just to see children's faces light up as you speak about the love of Jesus and the stories.

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  10. I remember going to Sunday School as a kid and it was one of the best times I had.

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  11. He began drawing and doing crafts at an early age and his authorial debut was, Ten Unusual Features of Lulu McDunn.

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  12. Marching around the Walls of Jericho & blowing trumpets LOUDLY ~ was good for awhile:)

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  13. He has three older brothers and younger sisterl and he gets to work from his Tennessee home...

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