What is a Good Version of the Bible for Kids?

With hundreds of children’s bibles to choose from, it can be hard to know exactly where to start. A good children’s bible will set them up on their faith journey, encourage reading and engage them with scripture.

As a mother of two and Eden’s category manager for children’s resources, I believe a good place to start is to choose by age

Best Children’s Bible for Preschoolers

Storybook Bibles offer children, and their families, a chance to enjoy simple retellings of favourite Bible stories, alongside vivid illustrations and bold text.

The Usborne Children's Bible is a beautifully presented miniature children’s Bible featuring best-loved and best-known stories from the Bible. From Noah’s Ark to The Prodigal Son and beyond, each Bible story will delight and inspire with captivating imagery and meaningful text.

For really tiny tots, the My First Toddler Bible is a bright introduction to Bible stories with rhyming words and bold, colourful print. Whereas, the Look and Listen Bible Sound Book engages little hearts and little hands with 12 noisy buttons to press as little ones explore each colourful, fold-out page.

Best Children’s Bible for 4-7s

For early readers, a storybook Bible is still a great choice - it offers the joy and flow of a bedtime story alongside the good news of God’s word. Sally Lloyd-Jones’ Jesus Storybook Bible has been loved by children and families for years. A treasured introduction to God’s word each Bible story shows how the whole Bible narrative points back to Jesus. With stirring prose and bright, bold illustrations by Jago, this is a storybook Bible to cherish.

For more captivating imagery, take a look at Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Children of God Storybook Bible, featuring over 50 Bible stories colourfully retold, especially for children aged 4 to 8. Many of the finest artists in the world contributed striking illustrations to this extraordinary storybook Bible which features well-known tales alongside some surprises - each page ends with a prayer to encourage children to truly engage with scripture.

Best Children’s Bible for 8-10s

For older children, the Children's Rainbow Good News Bible has been especially designed with 6-12s in mind. Featuring a full-text Bible the Rainbow Good News Bible is packed full of additional content: illustrations, key word list, book introductions and more. A highlighted reading trail takes the reader through the overarching story of the Bible, helping kids to understand God’s overall plans for His world.

Similarly, the International Children's Bible (ICB) was made especially for children - with full-Bible text written in child friendly language, this is the ideal introduction to scripture for children aged 6-12. Additional content includes a dictionary, colourful maps and illustrations to help children root their reading in context. A firm favourite since 1995, this children’s Bible has sparked a love of scripture in thousands of children.

Best Children’s Bible for pre-teens

Engaging children with scripture as they get older and more distracted by the world around them can be tricky. Comic-book style Bibles offer an engaging reading experience, ideal for pre-teen children. The Action Bible is exactly that action-packed with fast-paced narrative and captivating artwork the Action Bible flows in chronological order, making the reading experience engaging and seamless. 

For superhero fans, look no further than The Lion Graphic Bible, featuring artwork from Marvel artist, Jeff Anderson. Remaining true to the story of the Bible, The Lion Graphic Bible takes readers on a technicolour journey of adventure and discovery, truly capturing the battle of good and evil throughout the Bible as well as the emotions and characters of Biblical tales.

If you’re looking for something on the calmer side, Tom Wright’s My Big Story Bible Storybook Bible shares 140 faithful Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation, linking each one with God’s overall plan. With vibrant illustrations and seamless storybook style text, My Big Story Bible will engage and delight older readers.

Choosing the right children's Bible doesn’t need to be stressful, the options above open up scripture to children in a way which is memorable and engaging, setting them up for a lifetime with God.