Christian Book Notes

Nichols, Stephen J. and Ned Bustard.  The Church History ABC’s.  Wheaton:  Crossway Books, 2010.  36 pp.  $15.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $10.55.

Introduction

Stephen Nichols is research professor of Christianity and culture at Lancaster Bible College & Graduate School in Pennsylvania.  Ned Bustard is a graphic artist who has written and illustrated numerous children’s books.  The ABCs are, well, the English alphabet .

Summary

The Church History ABCs is a fun way to introduce your child to the history of the Christian faith.  You will not meet Jesus or Paul or Shadrach, Medrach, or Abednego.  You will meet, however, Jonathan Edwards, the Wesley Brothers, and Lady Jane Grey.

Each letter of the alphabet is accompanied by a paragraph or two that is meant to be read aloud to your children.  For example, when introducing Hippolytus, they begin with, “Hi. Let’s get on thing straight, my name is Hippolytus, not hippopotamus.”  Each short bio offers some quick facts meant to introduce the man (or woman) in church history that represents the letter.

At the end of the book, there is a couple more paragraphs for each person which contain a bit more detail.  The entire book is designed to whet the appetite for the family as the children learn more about those giants on whose shoulders we stand.

Finally, in Sesame Street fashion, I believe The Church History ABCs was brought to us by the letter “J.”  I say this because of the 26 letters in the alphabet 11 of the names start with J!  Obviously, this is mostly do to the “John’s” who represent Calvin, Donne, Edwards, Foxe, Knox, Owen, and Wesley.

Review

The book is rather large and extremely colorful.  Ned Bustard did a fine job of illustrating The Church History ABCs.  The bios easily keep the children’s attention as they contain many funny side comments or anecdotes.  Given the audience (3-6 year olds), I am impressed how Nichols was able to keep my attention as I read the book to my children.  You can check out C is for Calvin and L is for Luther to see what I am talking about.

Recommendation

We are indebted to Nichols and Bustard for writing and illustrating such a wonderful book.  This book serves multiple purposes and therefore deserves a spot on your or your child’s book shelf.  First, it teaches the alphabet.  Second, it teaches church history.  Third, your kids will keep wanting to go back to it, thus cultivating a love of reading and church history.